Insulation Essentials (FAQs Part Two)
Last year we addressed some common questions that we get asked as experienced insulation suppliers in Melbourne. We ended up covering a lot of essential and must-know topics in that blog. That’s why we’ve decided to do a second part to our frequently asked questions blog and tackle some more questions to further educate you, our customers, on the world of insulation.
Q. What is reflective insulation and how does it differ from the standard type?
Also known as foil insulation, reflective insulation is categorised as a type of thermal insulation. Either one or both sides of the product will have a thin layer of reflective foil on it, which is designed to reflect heat. A layer of reflective insulation known as roof sarking is installed in your roof to reflect the heat – as the roof is the part of your house that will become the hottest.
One of the reasons for this is that the materials commonly used to build roofs are all horrible insulators. This is why reflective foil insulation is used for roof sarking – it’s another layer of effective insulation – further contributing to the energy efficiency of your home.
Q. Do blinds contribute to a home’s insulation?
Yes, blinds, curtains and drapes all contribute in a positive way to insulating a home. Around 25% – 30% of heat can escape through uncovered windows, so it’s worth getting blinds or curtains. Keep them closed to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Unlike traditional insulation – which lives inside your walls – you can be a bit more creative with blinds or curtains and pick something that will suit your home.
Q. Does my wall cavity have to be the exact size of the insulation batt?
Insulation batts come compressed in packets. When you open them up, they’ll need to expand so they can reach their advertised measurements. If you have a wall cavity that is a few millimetres smaller than the size of the batt you’ve purchased, then there are a few things you can do. You can either try cutting it to size for a more perfect fit – or you can just install it as is.
It is highly unlikely that a few extra millimetres are going to affect the quality or integrity of the insulation batt – as well as the fact that there may be some small leeway when it comes to the advertised size. At the end of the day, insulation batts should be a snug fit. If there is a considerable size difference however, then you should consider cutting the insulation or looking at a smaller size as compressed insulation will affect its properties by reducing the number of air holes.
Q. What’s the deal with installing insulation around pipes?
When a house is being built, the insulation installers will have to work around pipes that have already been installed. Pipes can be tricky as they can sometimes take up quite a lot of space. A good installer is aware that compressing the batts too much will result in the loss of insulating properties and cutting gaps in them will also compromise their integrity. The solution to this is to just fill the space around, in front or behind the pipes as effectively as you can without compressing the batts too much.
Looking for insulation suppliers in Melbourne?
Insulation plays such a huge role in the development and life of your home – as well as your comfort – so you’re going to want to make sure you have the best for yours. The team at Insulation Essentials will be able to help you get onto the right sort for your home. As one of the leading insulation suppliers in Melbourne, our extensive catalogue of wall, ceiling and underfloor insulation batts at varying R-values is guaranteed to help you find what you need.
Our knowledgeable and passionate staff will also be able to answer any of the questions you may have for us regarding installation, glasswool or even something more on the technical side of things.
So, if you require Melbourne insulation suppliers, then please give Insulation Essentials a call on 03 8339 7111. Alternatively, you can also fill out the enquiry form on our website.