Insulation is an important factor to consider when it comes to designing any building. It is important to understand how and why insulation is used and the benefits it can bring. Gathering all the facts and comparing the options can be a time-consuming task, so here are all the basics you need to know to get you started.
Why use insulation?
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out a number of conditions under the Energy Efficiency Requirements of the Building Code as to the minimum insulation requirements needed for any type of building.
When used correctly, insulation can result in huge benefits in any building. By effectively insulating your building, you are increasing the comfort for the building’s occupants by creating a stable temperature through all seasons, saving on energy costs due to reduced use of heating and cooling systems, and benefiting the environment by reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
What is an R-value?
Insulation is rated in terms of its thermal resistance, also known as an R-value, which measures its resistance to heat transfer. The higher this value, the higher the thermal properties of your insulation and the better results you will achieve in terms of thermal performance. Each insulation product holds an R-value which defines its raw thermal resistance capability as a material on its own.
Total R-values are also calculated to determine the thermal performance of the system as a whole. Total R-values take into consideration the R-values of other building materials in the application, as well as other factors such as reflective airspaces. For example, a masonry block has a relatively high R-value in comparison to metal cladding which has a lower R-value. Therefore, insulation with the same raw R-value used in these different applications would result in a different Total R-value.
What kinds of insulation are out there?
Insulation has come a long way from itchy batts shoved in your ceiling cavity. There is now a wide variety of options for all types of applications, each with their unique pros and cons. The below table is a quick overview of some of the most common types of insulation along with the pros and cons of each.
Type of Insulation | Description | Pros | Cons |
Thermo Cellular | Polymer air-cellular or closed-cell foam core sandwiched between two layers of reflective aluminium foil |
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Phenolic Board | Rigid thermoset core sandwiched between composite facings |
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PIR Board | Fibre-free rigid urethane resin insulation core |
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Fibreglass (Glasswool) | Spun molten glass fibres bonded with resin |
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Rock Mineral Fibre | Spun molten rock fibres bonded with resin |
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What is thermal bridging?
A thermal bridge is a weakness in the thermal envelope of your building (the material that enclose your building). It is the path of least resistance where heat can be transferred through the building materials that make up your building’s envelope.
Thermal bridging occurs in the breaks of a building’s thermal envelope and can be reduced by effectively insulating problem areas with continuous insulation solutions. This will reduce the occurrence of thermal bridging and increase the energy efficiency and thermal performance of your building envelope.
With the insulation basics covered, if you have any enquiries or concerns about your next project, you can head to our Insulation Support Services page or reach out to our Technical Services team on 1300 247 235 or email technical@kingspaninsulation.com.au.
To learn more about Insulation, you can register for our CPD course, Insulation 101 here:
Learning outcomes:
- Explain how thermal insulation works
- Describe the difference between Total R-Values and Material R-Values
- Identify what U-Value and K-Value mean
- Explain the concept of thermal bridging
- Classify the different types of insulation
