Definition. Perlite has the highest environmental cost of all the insulation studied. As floor insulation, perlite reaches an Environmental Cost Indicator of €22.97/m² and a building performance of €0.306/m² per year — by far the highest of the fifteen materials, despite a low price of €4/m². Its high impact makes it an unfavourable choice.
LDPE foil is the most sustainable and cheapest floor option. New Economy’s circular insulation study for Amsterdam reports this.
- Perlite has the highest environmental cost of all the insulation studied