Did you know that homes with high quality ceiling insulation can save up to 45% on heating and cooling costs? By resisting heat flow, ceiling insulation helps keep the inside of a home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. What’s more, it’s one of the best steps you can take towards making your home more environmentally friendly. 

Best types of Ceiling Insulation

Insulation batts are one of the most popular and effective types for the ceiling. These are a kind of bulk insulation that are pre-cut to fit in-between the ceiling joists of most Australian homes. Bulk insulation works by trapping millions of tiny air particles which slow down the flow of heat. That’s why it is important that bulk insulation is not compressed during installation, and that no gaps are left between batts.

There are several types of insulation materials, each with its own advantages.

Glasswool Insulation

Glasswool (AKA fibreglass) is manufactured from recycled glass materials which are spun into fibres and bound together. It is the most common type of insulation used around the world. Some glasswool products can cause itchiness and care should be taken when handling to avoid this. Glasswool has high compression properties which means more can be fitted into a bag than other types of insulation.

Earthwool Insulation

Manufactured by Knauf, Earthwool Insulation is a special type of glasswool insulation that has almost none of the itch factor associated with traditional glasswool products. This is thanks to innovative ECOSE technology and longer fibres. Earthwool uses an eco-based binder and doesn’t use any harsh chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Polyester Insulation

Polyester products are manufactured from recycled plastic materials. They are much softer to touch than glasswool, and have none of the itch factor. Polyester is a good choice for those with asthma or dust allergies as it has practically no breathable fibres.

Rockwool Insulation

Rockwool is manufactured from crushed rock materials which are spun into fibres. It has incredible fire ratings: it’s non-combustible, doesn’t conduct heat and can withstand temperatures over 1000°C. Rockwool is also very durable and offers great acoustic properties.

What R value insulation do I need for ceiling?

Regardless of which insulation material you decide to go with, it is very important that you choose a product with the right R-Value. The R-Value indicates how effective the insulation is at resisting the transfer of heat. The higher R-Value you invest in, the greater thermal performance it will have and the more savings you will see on your power bill. 

For ceilings, it is recommended that you choose an R-Value of at least R4.0, but if you live in cooler climates such as Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide we recommend upgrading to R5.0 or R6.0.

Is it better to insulate the ceiling or roof?

For the best results, you should insulate both your roof and ceiling as these two areas work together to regulate the temperatures inside your home. Installing reflective foil insulation under the roofing material will help reflect radiant heat from the sun away from the home while insulation between the ceiling joists will help reduce heat loss and gain.