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How to insulate your home

Insulation is one of the most cost effective ways to keep your home cool this summer.
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You’ll be amazed at how much more comfortable your home is and how much less you spend on your energy bills after you’ve installed it. The benefits aren’t just for summer either. In winter, insulation helps keep your home warmer so you reap the rewards all year round.

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Insulation materials

There are many different types of insulation but it can be broken down into two main type – bulk and reflective. Bulk insulation is any material that relies on its thickness to insulate. Common bulk materials are fibreglass, wool, polyester and polystyrene. When installing bulk products, don’t compress them as this reduces their performance. Reflective insulation are foil products that rely on their shiny surface to bounce radiant heat away. They can be used in combination with bulk materials to improve the overall insulation performance of a house.  

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Ceiling insulation

The heat from a roof that’s been baking in the summer sun radiates down into your living areas long after the sun has gone down. A barrier to this is installing bulk insulation in your ceiling. Make sure you get the correct width to suit the gap between your ceiling joists and also leave a gap around any light fittings to avoid heat build-up and reduce the risk of fire.

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Floor insulation

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Floor insulation can be installed in houses that have a framed sub-floor. Apart from batts made of various materials, you can also use polystyrene blocks cut to fit the gaps between your floor joists or foil stapled to them. Floor insulation is easiest to install during new construction but can also be retro-fitted to existing buildings if there is access.

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Wall insulation

Wall insulation needs to be installed during construction as there is no access to the walls once the plasterboard has been installed. When installed in internal walls, it can also help reduce sound transfer between rooms. Make sure you select insulation to suit the thickness of your walls and the gap between the walls studs.

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What is the ‘R’ value?

The R value of an insulation material indicates its effectiveness at resisting heat transfer. The higher the number the more effective the insulation is.

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