Installing insulation is one of those trades that requires a certain amount of mental stamina in addition to a sufficient level of physical fitness. You may wonder what the mental aspect of it consists of. One aspect where this comes into play is that due to getting paid by the metre, you may feel that you are working for free until you actually cut open the first bag of ceiling insulation and install it. It is an illusion of course, a game your mind plays on you, as the payment you receive per metre of installing insulation does amply cover the ‘lost time’ of loading and unloading insulation not to mention travel to site.

Keeping a Positive Outlook with Roof Insulation

Every insulation job is different and it is important to maintain a positive outlook even if some jobs are harder than others. If you end up with a particularly unpleasant roof insulation job, think to yourself: luckily, I don’t get these challenging jobs every day! This has a better affect on your morale than telling yourself from the get go that it is an ‘impossible’ job.

It takes a really positive attitude to see the big picture every day and not get downcast by the obstacles you encounter throughout your day that lower your average hourly output.

Things That May Test Your Positive Outlook

There are many things that could potentially dampen your enthusiasm for installing insulation. Small-time builders on a tight budget are always a worry. Even after a week of rain, they will refuse to shell out the necessary dollars to have some crushed rock delivered to site and spread around the house. When you as an installer turn up to a site like this you need to be solutions orientated. Perhaps some planks laid out between the front door and the driveway is all that is needed for you to get your insulation bales, at least semi dry and clean into the house.

These same builders can also be the type that don’t bother ensuring adequate cleaning up after each stage of construction is carried out. Entering a house to find sawdust, offcuts, nails and empty energy drink cans strewn around site pushes even the most cheerful installer’s patience to its outer limits.  These budget builders will also typically stay around site hoping for some kind of a discount, asking you as the installer to ‘just do this section quickly as well’ and demanding you use every single scrap of insulation so none of it goes to waste.

Physical Fitness is an Advantage

As we can see, the mental aspect of the job encompasses quite a broad range of issues ranging from one’s own state of mind to external influences that can crop up on any given day and affect motivation and morale. Being physically fit is advantageous and will compliment a positive state of mind fantastically as well as making the manual labour of loading/unloading insulation that little bit easier. Starting off with a good night’s sleep is never a bad idea in any job either. 

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Practically every new home that is constructed in New Zealand requires an adequate level of ceiling and wall insulation in order to meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. While the vast majority of new homes are insulated by professional insulation installers, with a bit of know how and some basic tools, it is fully possible to buy Pink Batts and install them yourself. This can save you a few dollars on the cost of building a new home. In fact, if you’re looking for a budget solution, Pricewise Insulation may be able to give you a good Pink Batts price. If you are up for the challenge of installing your own wall insulation make sure you communicate this with your builder up front regarding the timing of the task, as insulation cannot be done at just any time during the project.

Small Time Window to Install Insulation

The "rough in” stage of a new building project generally refers to the tradespeople who require access to the inside of the walls (plumbers, electricians etc). They will need to complete all their work before the plaster or other wall lining is fixed into place, effectively removing (or greatly restricting) access to these areas. Once these aforementioned trades are done your builder will appreciate the insulation being installed as quickly as possible or immediately before the plasterers arrive to get going.

Should a significant delay be anticipated between the rough in stage and the plaster installation it may be wise to hold off with installing wall insulation until a couple of days before the plasterers plan to commence work. This is partially relevant to windy regions and building interiors that are exposed to the elements, for example due to the absence of external wall wrap.

Wearing Appropriate Protective Equipment

Before commencing work ensure that you are equipped with appropriate PPE. It’s recommended to wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. A dust mask and glasses will also help to keep any irritating particles out of your eyes and mouth, something that is particularly noticeable when installing insulation above head height.

Keep the Insulation in Place with Strapping or Wrapping

In the absence of external wall wrap, the external wall will need to be lined with tape or string in order to stop the Pink Batts from coming into contact with the brickwork or other external cladding. This is extremely important as failing to do this can result in mould or other issues later on. No taping is necessary for internal walls as these are well protected from the elements and there’s no risk of them incurring moisture from outside.

Simple Process to Install the Insulation

Installing wall insulation is not difficult in itself. Similar to Pink Batts ceiling insulation, you simply split open the bag, take one wall batt at a time and insert it between the vertical wall studs. Many installers prefer to install the first batt from floor and up, the second from the ceiling and down, meaning that any remaining gaps will be at a comfortable working height (typically waist height) for filling. Work your way systematically around the building, avoiding any air gaps and using offcuts to fill any gaps caused by excessive spacing between the wall studs.

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The amount you will pay for insulation will usually come down to 3 things: Who you’re buying it from, how much you need (bulk order discounts may apply) and who’s paying for the freight of the delivery. Of course, if you are in the building industry and regularly purchase insulation, you have an opportunity to build up a relationship with a supplier and consequently benefit from better pricing. The supplier is happy to look after you in exchange for your loyalty as a customer.

Long Shelf Life Means Clearance Sale is Rare

Every now and then insulation can appear for sale at a significantly lower price than anywhere else that insulation is commonly sold. While nobody wants to turn down a bargain, it’s important to be aware that unlike many other products, there is rarely any honest reason for insulation to be sold in significant quantities at, for example, half the market price. Unlike other products whose shelf life may expire after a short period of time, insulation generally has an effective shelf life of many years, ruling this out as reason to sell it out at clearance prices.

Reselling Stolen Insulation Online

Let’s say you go to buy insulation online in Auckland and come across some amazing Knauf Earthwool insulation prices on Trade Me. With the exception of an insulation business going under and clearing their stock, (this would be one of the only explanations that is actually plausible), there is a real likelihood that the insulation has actually been stolen and the criminals behind this are trying to make some easy bucks out of reselling it. They’ve put a very healthy mark up on the insulation considering what they’ve paid for it.

Crooks will even go to such lengths as to pay a visit to a building site or a recently insulated house before the plasterers have had a chance to come in and line the walls. They will deftly clean out the insulation batts from the walls and repackage them into bags. These bags are then offered for sale at a significant discount, by the bag or by the truckload.

Too Good to be True

If an insulation offer you see advertised on Trade Me or elsewhere seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is. Keep this in mind before blindly going ahead and purchasing the insulation at a fraction of market prices. Chances are that there is a reputable builder out there wondering what in the world happened to his wall insulation.

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Insulating a new or existing home for the first time can be a daunting prospect. The concept, however, is really quite simple. Insulation acts as a barrier for heat flow. In summer, insulation reduces the amount of heat that comes into the house and in winter it works to prevent the heat generated inside the home from escaping. The result is that the house is kept cooler in summer and warmer in winter, without excessive reliance on heating and cooling systems. Glasswool has traditionally been used to insulate residential and commercial buildings, but other products such as Foilboard, by Autex, that have been created in more recent years, have distinctive benefits that are worth considering. Installing insulation in a new dwelling or adding insulation to an existing one can make a significant difference to the comfort and energy performance of the home.

How to measure the value of the insulation material

There is often the question of how much money to spend on insulation. Insulation performance varies considerably and is measured in R-values, indicating how effective it will be at keeping homes at the desired temperature. It doesn’t matter what the brand is, whether traditional glass wool is being used or a more rigid foilboard, the R-value is what matters. The higher the R-rating, the more the material itself is able to prevent heat transfer. However, higher R-value also means higher cost. People living in a more temperate climate zone may not need to purchase the highest rated insulation for the desired effect. Find out what the recommended R-value is for your climate zone, and consider upgrading to a slightly higher rating for added comfort. R-value is the most important consideration when planning an insulation project and will guide subsequent decisions.

Considering compressive strength and moisture resistance

There are several factors affecting the type of insulation to use in a building and price is only one of them. Compressive strength, for example, would be a major consideration if the insulation was to be laid under a slab or a concrete floor. If the material is compressed it no longer acts as an insulator and can even lead to structural failure. Foilboard, for example, can be an effective solution in these situations.

Moisture can affect the effectiveness of the insulation and can cause mould issues and structural damage. A vapour barrier might be necessary to protect from condensation if the building is located in a high humid (tropical) climate or in a cool climate where the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature is significant. It may be needed in roof spaces with a low ventilation rate (e.g. cathedral or raked ceilings) or in situations where high amounts of vapour are generated and not exhausted.

Autex Foilboard ticks all the boxes

Foilboard Green rigid insulation panels by Autex are designed for use in walls, floors and roofs. They are manufactured from a fire retardant expanded polystyrene core (FR-EPS) with aluminium foil directly laminated to both sides, creating a high performing insulant that is also moisture resistant. Foil board Insulation is a non-itchy, fibre free rigid insulation panel that is quick and easy to install. It only requires one installation phase, compared to the extra wall wrapping step that precedes traditional glasswool insulation installation. Unlike bulk insulation, these panels will not compress or sag, meaning they retain a constant R-value from day one. Foilboard Green’s slim design can be an attractive option for smaller dwellings where builders are looking to gain extra space internally.

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