R5.0 insulation helps to reduce energy and creates a more comfortable home. R5.0 ceiling insulation is a once-off investment that is designed to last for the lifetime of your home. Up to 35% of your heating and cooling energy can be lost through the roof unless your ceiling is properly insulated.

R5.0 Insulation – Is it effective?

R5 ceiling insulation is recommended in cooler regions such Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. If your ceiling was insulated many years ago, there is a good chance that what was installed has lost some of its effectiveness. Even if the insulation was considered a good quality product at the time, it might be delivering less thermal benefit than it was originally specified to deliver. Most types of bulk insulation will settle and compress over time. Because insulation is full of tiny air pockets, the more it is compressed, the less effective it becomes in reducing the transfer of heat. If R5 insulation was installed decades ago, it may be providing you with a real R-Value of less than that, maybe 2.5 or 3.0 at the most.

Should I Install Glasswool or Polyester R5.0 Insulation?

Glasswool insulation is manufactured from recycled glass and sand material. It is Australia’s most common insulation material and does not absorb moisture, attract vermin or rot. Glasswool has millions of fibres that trap air and prevent heat from penetrating through the material. On the other hand, polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles and in addition to having most of the advantages of glasswool it has no breathable and itchy fibres. Polyester is well-known for having non-allergenic properties and being suitable in homes where asthma and severe allergies are a concern. Deciding the right insulation product for your home will depend on your needs, climate and budget.

Topping Up v Replacing Ceiling R5.0 Insulation

If you do have a layer of old insulation in your ceiling and you’re looking to upgrade, the question is often asked: is it essential to get rid of the old insulating material first, before installing the new insulation? Before deciding whether to get a company to vacuum out your ceiling space or whether to top up the existing insulation, consider the following points:

• All old insulation will have some R-Value

• How much effective R-Value it still has will depend on how well it was installed originally

• It will also depend on how much it has compressed over time.

• Old insulation is typically extremely dusty and will often smell

• It’s more difficult to get a neat finish when topping up old insulation with new insulation

• New insulation (at least the brands we sell) does not attract vermin, however many older insulation types do become nests for vermin.

Installing R5.0 Insulation

If your house has properly installed insulation but requires a higher R-Value, topping up with new insulation may be a viable cost saving alternative. However, if the insulation that was previously installed is distributed unevenly, is of poor quality, or has been soiled or damaged by vermin, we recommend cleaning out the ceiling and replacing it with new insulation.