Thinking about insulating your home? Here’s everything you need to know about how insulation works, choosing the right R-Value and deciding which type of insulation will get you the best results. Plus some handy DIY tips to make the installation go smoothly.
What is thermal insulation and how does it work?
Thermal insulation is any material that slows down or stops heat from travelling from one area to another. Most homes are built with thermal insulation in the walls, ceiling and underfloors to help keep indoor temperatures at a more comfortable level. Insulation also helps heating and cooling to be more energy efficient.
How does insulation work? Thermal energy (heat energy) usually travels from areas of high thermal energy to areas of low thermal energy until the temperature is even everywhere. This means on a hot summer’s day, hot air from outside will quickly make its way inside and in winter, any warmth inside the house will quickly escape – unless you have something to slow down the flow of heat. That’s where thermal insulation comes in.
Does my home need insulation?
If you are building a new home, there are particular Australian standards that need to be met when it comes to insulation. Regulations vary, depending on where you live. When building a new home, make sure you check the relevant insulation standards for your region.
If you are living in an older home but find that your house heats up quickly on a hot day or feels uncomfortably cold during winter, chances are your home is underinsulated. Although insulation is designed to last decades, it will break down over time and become less effective at regulating temperatures inside your home. If you live in an older home and don’t know when the insulation was installed, it might be worth getting a professional opinion.
Does insulation help you save money?
Installing insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce your household’s heating and cooling costs. Homes that are well insulated stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter which means less reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
When you do decide to turn on the air conditioner or heater, insulation will help make the heating and cooling more effective and more energy efficient. The cost of installing insulation can usually be paid back through energy savings in a few years.
What is the R-Value of insulation?
In order to experience maximum benefits from your insulation, it’s crucial to choose the right R-Value based on the climate of where you live. The R-Value of an insulation product indicates how effective it is at resisting heat loss and gain. The higher the R-Value, the more insulating power the product has.
For warm locations such as Perth, Brisbane and northern NSW, experts recommend at least R4.0 for the ceilings and at least R2.0 in the walls. For cooler locations like Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, experts recommend installing R5.0 or R6.0 in the ceiling and at least R2.5 in the walls.
Many people choose to upgrade to a higher R-Value than the minimum recommendations. This ensures greater protection against heat loss and gain, leading to greater energy and financial savings.
What are the different types of insulation?
There are many different types of insulation on the market. Traditionally insulation can be bought at a hardware store, but nowadays you can buy insulation online. Two of the most effective and popular options include:
Glasswool insulation batts
Glasswool insulation (previously known as fibreglass) is made from glass materials, such as glass bottles, which are crushed together and then spun into long fibres. Glasswool has fantastic thermal and acoustic properties, is easy to handle and is fairly inexpensive.
Polyester insulation batts
Polyester insulation is made from recycled plastic materials and is popular for its low allergenic properties. It contains no breathable particles making it safe for use in homes with asthma and dust allergies.
What is acoustic insulation?
Just as thermal insulation slows down the transfer of heat, acoustic insulation prevents the transfer of noise. When sound waves hit a surface they are either reflected back into the room, transmitted through to the other side or absorbed by the surface. Acoustic insulation are materials that are good at absorbing sound waves.
There are many different types of acoustic insulation. Acoustic insulation batts provide both thermal and acoustic benefits. They can be installed everywhere in the home including the roof, internal walls, external walls, beneath the floors and between floors of a double storey home.
Acoustic insulation is the best way to soundproof your home from noisy neighbours, traffic sounds and other disturbances. Installed in the internal walls and between floors, acoustic insulation will also help prevent noises in one room of the house travelling to others. Peace and quiet for the whole family!
When is the best time to install insulation?
The best time to install insulation is when the wall and ceiling cavities are exposed during the construction or renovation phase. Insulation batts can be easily fitted between the wall or ceiling joists before the plaster is hung.
If the roof cavity is easily accessible, roof insulation can usually be installed at any time. For houses that are built on a raised platform with easy access to the floor area, it may be possible to retrofit floor insulation too.
Planning to DIY? Here are some handy tips
- Measure your ceiling or wall cavity to figure out how much insulation you need. Multiply length by width and then take off 10% to account for the timber joists.
- Avoid installing insulation during the hottest part of the day, especially for the ceilings as it can get very hot up there.
- Install insulation batts with a snug fit, but do not compress as this will compromise their effectiveness.
- Insulation is easy to cut with a utility knife. Save any off cuts to fill in the hard to reach places.
- Use a long stick to poke the insulation into hard to reach areas.
- Clean up as you go to avoid any tripping hazards.
Whether you install the insulation yourself or hire a professional, when the installation is complete, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the comfort of a well insulated home!