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Understanding the Basics of Insulation: What You Need to Know

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Insulation is a fundamental element in any building.  It plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor comfort and energy efficiency. It acts as a barrier against the transfer of heat and cold, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. To make informed decisions about insulation, it’s important that you understand a few basic things.

Types of Insulation

Insulation materials come in various types, including fiberglass, earth wool, cellulose, foam board (EPS or XPS) spray foam or wood fibre. Each has its different attributes in terms of thermal performance or R-value, combustibility, weight and rigidity which will make each insulation type suitable for different applications. Understanding these materials and their properties is essential for selecting the right insulation for your project.

Location Matters

Where and how you install insulation is just as important as the type of insulation. Common areas include walls, attics, floors, and sub floors, however areas that often get missed are framed corners, internal garage walls, over roof access panels and over lighting penetrations in roof spaces (if your lighting is rated for insulation cover).  

Installation Techniques

Insulation installation requires attention to detail.  Insulation should not be compressed, it should be tight against all framing members and should be as continuous as possible. Heat takes the least path of resistance out of a building and missing insulation compromises performance much more than you would think.

Energy Savings

By insulating your home correctly, you can lower your heating and cooling costs. Insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature inside your home, reducing the workload on HVAC systems.

Thermal comfort

By correctly installing the highest R-value insulation you can afford or fit into your cavities, you are using the most cost effective way to improve your thermal comfort in your home.

In summary, insulation is an integral part of building science. Understanding insulation types, their locations, installation techniques, energy-saving and thermal comfort benefits it offers is key to creating a comfortable, energy-efficient living space. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, proper insulation is an investment that pays off in the long run.

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Jessica Allen

Our goal is to improve the comfort, health and energy efficiency of buildings across Australia by offering solutions that protect both the environment and the structure.

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