Where to insulate first
1. Roof/attic: 30% losses, top priority. 2. Exterior walls (ETICS): 25%. 3. Floor/basement: 7-10%. 4. Windows: 13%. 5. Thermal bridges: 5-10%.
Thermal insulation in Morocco 2026
Thermal insulation has become strategic in Morocco with heatwave summers and cold winters at altitude. RTCM 2014 imposes minima.
In short
Insulation in Morocco costs 75-380 MAD/m²: rock wool 80-180, expanded polystyrene 75-140, sprayed polyurethane 220-380, cork 280-380. RTCM mandatory new builds.
Full guide
Materials: pros and cons
Rock/glass wool: R 2.5-5, fireproof, acoustic. EPS: cheapest, water-tight, fire/UV sensitive. XPS: floor and humid. Polyurethane: top performance. Cork: natural, 50+yr, eco. Wood fiber: excellent summer phase shift.
Available brands
Rock wool: Rockwool, Knauf, Isover. Glass wool: Isover, Knauf, Ursa. Polystyrene: Knauf, Polyvel, Polyrex. PU: Recticel, Bayer. Cork: Amorim.
Cost villa 200m²
Roof 200m²: 16-36k MAD. ETICS walls 200m²: 56-90k. Floor 200m²: 15-28k. Total: 87-154k (4-7% build budget). AC/heat savings: 30-60% = 6-15k MAD/yr. ROI 6-12 yrs.
In-depth articles
FAQ
What does RTCM require?
Moroccan Thermal Building Regulation (RTCM 2014) imposes max U coefficients by climate zone. Zone 1 (Med coast) roof U ≤ 0.75, walls ≤ 1.2. Zone 6 (mountain) roof ≤ 0.42. Mandatory Moroccan DPE for occupancy permit.
Internal (ITI) or external (ITE)?
ITI: cheaper (140-260 MAD/m²), easy install, but reduces living surface, thermal bridges remain. ITE: pricier (280-450), no surface loss, eliminates bridges, refurbishes façade. ETICS recommended for new builds.
Recommended thickness?
RTCM Zone 3-4 (Casa, Rabat, Marrakech): roof 16-20cm rock wool or 12-15cm PU. ETICS walls: 10-14cm EPS or 8-12cm PU. Floor: 8-10cm XPS. Mountain or passive goal: double.
Payback time?
Depends on current AC/heating. Casa/Rabat: 30-40% savings = 3-6k MAD/yr. ROI: 10-15 yrs. Marrakech: 40-60% = 6-12k/yr. ROI 6-10. Ifrane: 50-70% = 8-18k/yr. ROI 5-8.
Insulation subsidies?
No national public program like France's MaPrimeRénov. Partial subsidies: INDH (social housing), PROMASOL (solar + insulation), regional pilots. Green credit: Wafa Solar, Crédit Foncier, BMCE Green. Preferential 4-6%/yr rates.