Retrofitting Ceiling Insulation Guide

Retrofit Insulation For Existing Homes

Did you know that up to up to 35% of summer heat gains and winter heat losses occur through the roof? It is by far the most important area of your home to insulate. Ceiling insulation can be added to existing homes and is relatively easy to install providing there is enough room for move in the roof space. The easiest time to install ceiling insulation is during  renovations when the plaster has been removed. Check out our DIY videos here. Insulating your existing ceilings can also help with weatherproofing your home and to elimination moisture problems such as condensation. When choosing the right insulation for your home consider the R-value recommended for your geographic location. Remember that the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness and products with the same R-value typically have the same performance.

Which R-value To Choose?

When choosing the right insulation for your home consider the BCA requirements for R-values in your geographic location. Remember that the higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance. We recommend a minimum of R4.0 ceiling insulation in Australia. If you live in Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide then we recommend upgrading to R5.0 or R6.0 ceiling insulation. The same applies to home owners living in alpine regions.

Old Insulation – Should I Replace It?

If you are thinking about insulating your home, then take a look in your roof space to see if there is any existing insulation. You need to ensure that it is not wet, damaged, rodent infested or mouldy. If the old insulation is in bad condition then we recommend getting it removed before installing new ceiling batts. There are professional companies that offer this service. Contact us for a quote or recommendation.

Topping Up In Exisiting Ceilings

If the existing insulation is in good condition but appears thin, or obvious gaps are present then you can simply top it up with another layer of ceiling batts. It is cheaper to top up insulation then replace it entirely; however, you must ensure that the condition of the existing insulation is appropriate. When topping up, ensure that there are no gaps between insulation batts and that it is snugly fit across the ceiling. If you are unsure whether to replace or top up existing insulation, then please send us a photo of your roof space.