Installing insulation materials in the home

Home insulation materials involve more than just stuffing the wall with pink batts. Read our tips on how to get the most of installing insulation into your home.

1. Available types of insulation for the home

The most popular type of insulation is glass wool, which commonly comes in the form of insulation batts. Also available are polyester insulation and glue-in insulation, both of which are used in home insulation in Australia.

2. Using insulation blankets

Insulation blankets are another type of glass wool that can be used when insulating your home. They come either with or without a layer of foil on the top and bottom. The foil-covered blankets are known as 'normal faced' insulation.

3. Insulate a house that has already been built

The good news is, you can do it yourself. The bad news is, insulation can usually only be installed in the ceilings in an existing home, as it is too hard to put into the walls.

4. Using the right insulation materials

Before purchasing insulation materials – and assuming that you’re using insulation batts - it is important to check the distance between your ceiling studs. You will need a sharp knife and a cutting board, a kneeling board (that spans at least two ceiling joists), gloves, a dust mask and goggles. You may also need extra lighting.

5. Installing insulation

First, work out how many packs of pink batts you need and pass them through the manhole. Once in the ceiling, place the kneeling board across at least two ceiling joists. Starting at the furthest point from the manhole, lay the batts between ceiling joists, making sure that there are no gaps left at the joins between batts. Continue until the entire ceiling area is covered. Off-cuts can be used to fill small gaps.

6. Safety in the home

Never walk on plaster ceilings, and make sure you only stand on the ceiling joists. Be careful about the ceiling's wiring - where possible, place the batts underneath electrical wires.

Get the right insulation materials for your home: