Though it may not be the most exciting aspect of building a home, insulation plays an essential role in keeping your home comfortable. Without proper insulation, you’ll find yourself using air-conditioning and heating more often, leading to higher energy bills. So, what types of insulation are on the market and how do you know which is best for your home? Just as important, how much does it all cost?
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at what influences your insulation costs, what common insulation materials are available and how they compare to each other.
Table of Contents
Key legal requirements for home insulation in Australia
The BCA requirements for insulation vary depending on what climate zone you’re building in. Below is a map that shows the 6 different climate zones in Australia. Each zone requires homes to have a different r value.
As we’re a Brisbane-based business, we’ll focus on the requirements of building in Queensland’s capital. In Brisbane, your home needs to have an r-value between R3.5-4.1. To be more specific, roof insulation should be at 4.1, your wall insulation needs to be at least R2.8 and your floor insulation should come in around R1.5
What are the key factors impacting insulation costs?
Type of Insulation
There are a variety of insulation types on the market, each with its unique benefits. The three key types of insulation are:
Batt Insulation: Batt insulation comes in sheets and is one of the most common choices for insulation.
Spray foam insulation: Insulation is sprayed into the desired area and expands when it dries.
Loose fill insulation: Small pieces of material that are great for fitting into difficult areas
Size of the Home
It’s simple maths: the more home you need to insulate, the more it’ll likely cost you. Remember though that quality insulation throughout your home will make a world of difference to your comfort year round. Though Brisbane is part of the Sunshine State, the winters can be relentlessly chilly.
R-value requirements
R-value indicates how well your insulation resists heat flow. Depending on the climate of where you’re building, the desired r-value of your insulation will vary. Colder areas want to trap more heat in their homes and therefore will want a higher r value. In areas like Brisbane and Sydney, it can be challenging to insulate a house due to both areas being known for extreme temperatures.
Installation complexity
If you’re hiring someone to perform your installation for you, the more complicated the job is, the more it’ll end up costing. It may be worth paying extra for a more complicated installation if it results in better long-term results.
While there’s always the option to install insulation yourself, different insulation types have different levels of installation difficulty. Small mistakes, such as improper installation that leaves gaps between batts will lead to less efficient insulation.
Location
Insulation is all about handling the climate, so where you’re building is going to have a huge impact on your insulation needs and in turn, the cost to insulate.
Typical home insulation costs in Australia?
Wall insulation cost range
Depending on the size of your home and other factors, wall insulation can cost anywhere between $4,000-15,000.
Roof and ceiling insulation cost range
Roof insulation can cost anywhere between $1,400 to over $4,000. The layout of your roof and the materials you use both factor into the final cost.
Floor insulation cost range
Underfloor insulation costs between $1,000-$2,000, though especially large floorplans (for example, an acreage home) may cost you more.
Breakdown of specific insulation types
Glasswool/Fiberglass insulation
Known as either fibreglass or glass wool, this is potentially the most popular insulation choice in Aussie homes. As the name suggests, Fibreglass insulation is made of glass and usually comes in batts (blanket insulation). Its popularity can be attributed to its affordability, with it costing as little as $4.59 per square metre. It’s commonly used in both wall insulation and ceilings.
Polyester Insulation
When it comes to popularity, polyester is fibreglass’s biggest competitor on the market. Made from the same material used in bedding and clothing, polyester is often recycled, making it a more eco-friendly choice. It’s also non-allergenic and non-toxic, which is great news for families, pets and anyone with allergies. Most commonly used for wall insulation, polyester is pricier than fibreglass, coming in at around $15 per square metre.
Foam insulation
Foam insulation is sprayed into the desired location and expands as it sets. Spray foam insulation is a particularly useful insulation material for hard-to-reach areas of your house. There are some notable advantages to foam insulation including it is allergen-free and resistant to moisture, pests and fire. On the downside, it is often made from polyurethane which can be toxic.
In terms of price, spray foam insulation costs are some of the most affordable on the market.
Natural Fibres
There are a range of natural fibre insulation options including sheep’s wool, cotton, hemp and cotton. All of these materials have a low carbon footprint, making them a popular choice for those looking to cut down on their carbon footprint. Though it will vary depending on your material choice, most natural fibre insulation is pest and mould-resistant. Natural fibres tend to best suit colder climates and could potentially trap too much heat for Queensland houses (especially any readers in North Queensland).
Ceiling Batt insulation
These are the most common options used for insulating the ceilings of Aussie homes. Usually, they’re made from fibreglass and are cut into rectangular batts. They’re so widely used that any major hardware supply store will likely stock them. You can get 11 batts for under $70 in some stores.
What are the benefits of home insulation?
Helps reduce energy bills: Quality insulation will help minimise your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. This is because your home will
Improves air-conditioning and heating: When you do have to use heating or cooling, insulation will help you maintain your desired temperature for longer once it has been reached.
Makes your home more comfortable: Insulation will help your house be at a comfortable temperature more often.
Our tips for cost-effective home insulation
- Consider both short-term and long-term costs. We all love saving money, but initial savings
- Pick an insulation that suits your environment. An insulation that is perfect for Canberra won’t be ideal for Cairns. Consider where your building is and the type of climate you’ll be dealing with most.
0 Comments