#underfloorinsulation

With  many NZ landlords scrambling to get their tenants’ homes properly insulated,  demand for good quality underfloor insulation is high. If you’re planning on  ordering some underfloor insulation for your own home, your commercial  building project or for one or more rental properties, get your order in as  early as possible!

Insulating your home will eventually provide you protection against environmental conditions, moderating temperatures on the inside while providing you comfort and saving your money as well. 

It is important to know where the insulation should be installed in order to make it properly. A properly insulated building should be covered in roof insulation to its foundation but at some places, it is impossible to complete. While the types of foundation you choose will also be based on many factors including where it is being used. 

Insulating an Attic 

If you are looking to insulate an attic then you must consider using loose-fill or batt type of insulation. On the other hand, batt insulation is a bit expensive than loose-fill insulation and also offers better coverage when it is installed properly. 

Remember to seal all the vents where the air leaks and complete repairs if necessary. Also, don’t forget to insulate knee walls and while remodeling, make sure to leave space between decks and be sure that the new addition is raised above the ceiling joint to leave room for insulation. 

Insulating Air Ducts 

Air ducts should be sealed and insulated to reduce any energy losses. Always try to install ducts in conditioned spaces like archways. 

Insulating Walls in New Homes 

If you are insulating your home for the first them then the fastest way to do it is using blown-in insulation. These blown-in insulation are installed with the dense pack technique which will provide you excellent air sealing. 

While insulation has a lot advantages it also has some disadvantages. Some type of insulation materials although very effective can be expensive to install. Some insulation materials are also dependent on climate change and their effectiveness may change with the weather. Most lose their effectiveness due tocold weather. No type of insulation will be able to completely stop heat transfer.

Rain penetration

Wall insulation does not totally prevent rainwater from getting in. Rainwater creates moisture that causes dampness. This causes the insulation to lose its effectiveness. Fiberglass is also vulnerable to moisture. When it is wet it loses its insulating properties until it dries out.Presence of moisture in fiberglass encourages mold growth. Mold causes unhealthy air quality which may cause allergies in some people.

Health risks

Some insulation materials are dangerous to people’s health. Asbestos for example is known to cause lung and gastrointestinal tract cancer. Fiberglass can cause skin allergies from chemicals used to bind the fibers together. Inhaling fibers can cause damage to the lungs affecting the ability to breathe. Other insulation materials may cause damage to the environment. Rockwool is also unhealthy and people should wear dust masks when installing. Styrene which is a foam insulator may cause eye and respiratory irritation.

Reduced ability

Some types of insulation decrease in their insulating ability over time. Cellulose for example decreases its ability when it absorbs moisture. Fiberglass insulation can settle overtime. This means that its effectiveness drops. The R-value that measures the ability of heat to pass through the insulation. Drops as the insulation settles. Spray foam contracts with age and pulls away from framing.

High energy use

Some insulation materials like cellulose are made from recycled materials. Fiberglass on the other hand is made from new materials. Fiberglass therefore uses more energy to produce than cellulose. This means that fiberglass is expensive to install. Rockwool is also another expensive insulating material.

Poor quality of work

This occurs when the people installing the insulation do it wrongly. The inability to fit insulation materials in spots you want to reduce heat transfer will decrease the effectiveness.Incorrect installation such as leaving gaps may result in a product not achieving its function. Some insulation materials such as structural insulated panels are difficult to cut and therefore difficult to fit around pipes.

Environmental issues

Fiberglass releases dust into the environment which may cause people to be sick. Spray foam may cause environmental damage when it uses ozone depleting chemicals. Batts and blankets which have phenol formaldehyde can cause cancer.

A house that is properly insulated can save you a lot of costs. Most problems with insulation may arise from the installation. To avoid problems caused by condensation it is advisable to use a vapor barrier. This will stop vapor from penetrating the walls. Some also required to be put in layers because they may thin out therefore becoming ineffective. When using spray foam, it is important to use those that require chlorine as a binding agent to avoid using ozone depleting chemicals.

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat loss and heat gain. It stops heat flow from room to room. This means that it slows down movement of heat allowing it to be captured in one place to keep the temperature the same throughout.

Reduces heat loss

Insulation keeps your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This is possible because insulation prevents air flow to different rooms thus reducing heat loss. A large amount of energy is lost from uninsulated valves and pipes

Lowers heating bill

Insulation reduces the appliances you need to heat and cool your house thus reducing the costs. Using air conditioning equipment is very expensve. When you insulate your house you eliminate the need for air condition. This in turns lowers the heating bill. It reduces the reliance on heating and cooling systems.

It is beneficial for the environment

An insulated home requires little energy for cooling and heating. This reduces your carbon footprint and the chemicals that air conditioning releases to the environment. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This is because there is no burning of fossil fuels to produce heat.

Noise control

An insulated home reduces noise levels by absorbing emitted sound. Noise can have a negative effect on people’s health and productivity. Noise reduction reduces stress that may be caused by too much noise. Noise bounces off floors and walls making your home quieter place to live.

Comfort

Reducing heat movement causes a home to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A house that hasn’t been insulated can be drafty and uncomfortable. You don’t require extra blanket or cranking up the air conditioning during winter thus remaining comfortable.

Controls condensation

Insulation controls condensation therefore limiting corrosion on pipes and ducts. Insulation prevents expensive moisture damage to building materials. It also prevents mold growth; this is because insulation will restrict moisture from passing through the wall.

Increases home value

An insulated house increases the value of your home. When you decide to resell your house insulating it will make the difference between how fast or slow it sells. Since insulation is permanent it means that new home owners will still benefit from the insulation.

Does not require maintenance

Insulation unlike heating and cooling equipment is permanent. This means that it does not require maintenance, upkeep or adjustment.

It has a lot of options

This means that no matter what type of house you have or when it was built there is an insulation solution.

Beneficial to health

Lower temperature may suppress immune systems. Cold environments increase the chances of a person getting sick. Having insulation in your home will keep the temperature warm therefore reducing the chances of getting sick.

The exploitation of natural resources and the increase of the price of energy further emphasizes the importance of thermal insulation of built objects as the basic way to achieve a satisfactory level of energy efficiency in combination with the optimum conditions of living in an enclosed space. Type, amount, thickness and way of installation of thermal insulation in a facility depends on its purpose, climate conditions, personal requirements and, of course, acceptable prices. It largely depends on choice of manufacturer and materials to be used.

Thermal insulation is the most important modifier of room temperature, after climate and weather conditions. Well-calculated and installed thermal insulation ensures smooth passage of water vapor through walls and facade so that an optimal amount of moisture is achieved in the object. This is important in order to prevent any mold and unwanted moisture occurrence. Once correctly and professionally set up, thermal insulation will play its role regardless of weather, climate and energy consumption conditions.

What can I do if external thermal insulation cannot be installed?

In some rare cases, when external insulation of the walls is not possible, insulation can be installed from the inside of the building. The insulation from the inside of the outer wall is usually made of stone wool with a covering of a gypsum board on a metal substructure. However, the negative side of insulating exterior walls from the inside is creating so-called "thermal bridges" on the insulation joints and non-insulated structural elements (openings, floor structures, interior walls). As a consequence, condensation and mold occur, especially in the interior corners of rooms. Internal wall insulation is recommended for rooms that are used only occasionally under condition that there is no other solution for installing insulation from the outside.

Which materials should I choose?

Materials for thermal insulation can be very different. Certainly, one of the most popular ones in the global market due to its low price and good thermal insulation properties are expanded and extruded polystyrene, more commonly known as styrofoam or EPS. However, there are lots of other materials available in the market, such as thermal insulating concrete and thermo-insulating mortars. Various elements of the building structure can be made from these materials and this is a very interesting alternative mode of insulation. Additionally, these materials can be used as a liner layers, plaster or straight layers.

Which insulation materials are gaining popularity?

Batt Insulation is one of the best thermal barrier options that will serve you for decades or a lifetime. Anyway, homeowners make mistakes with it, and which is why we write this article today. Making mistakes is one reason that leads to thermal efficiency reductions. For example, old insulation that has been there for many decades may not offer you the expected thermal protection; hence as the homeowner; you should consider the removal and replacement of it. If not, you will lose money on energy bills in the long run. OK, let's understand these mistakes in detail now!

Choosing the wrong R-value

Batt insulation and other insulation types come with a value called the R-value, which is the factor that shows us the thermal efficiency of the product. Why should a homeowner focus on this value? Well, depending on the climate in your region; you should choose the right R-value for optimal thermal protection. If not, the thermal barrier you have chosen will not have the capacity to keep you safe from winter cold and summer heat. And, as a result; you will turn on the heaters and air conditioners. What is the purpose of relying on heaters and air conditioners after investing money in Batt Insulation? In summary, talk to an expert in the insulation industry and get recommendations on the right R-value that suits your region's climate the most.

Wrong Installations

Well, you got two options to consider when it comes to Batt Insulation installation; DIY and hiring professionals in the industry. Since every modern insulation products are 100% free from dangerous contaminants, a homeowner can tackle it him/herself without worrying about getting exposed to asbestos and other hazardous contaminants. Anyway, homeowners tend to make mistakes such as leaving gaps, layering the new barrier over the old one, and not fixing water leaks before the installation. All these mistakes ultimately lead to insulation failure and deterioration.

Also, one can choose the wrong insulation type for his/her home. Even though Batt Insulation is one of the best products available in the market today, it might not be the ideal choice for your home. As you know, many alternatives are there in the market to fill that gaps that insulation batts can't fill. How can you confirm the right thermal barrier type for your home?  Well, you can talk to the insulation supplier first. For example, NoGap sends their company representatives to your premises for recommendations. Or, you can hire a home inspector for detail evaluations. No matter who will do it, make sure you seek advice from the experts in the industry. You can depend on their advice, and if they confirm that Batt Insulation is the best option for your home; go for it.