Insulation Perth is a material that prevents heat or sound from being transferred from one building area to another. It works by stopping energy transfer via conduction, convection, and radiation.
Plastic insulation materials often contain many small pockets – a sponge-like structure works well – that maximize air-trapping.
Insulation works by blocking thermal energy transfer into and out of your home. It prevents heat loss in winter and keeps it in during summer. It’s a simple concept, but one that makes all the difference and helps to reduce energy bills.
It’s not just about reducing heat flow – insulation also helps to regulate temperature in the home, keeping it comfortable year round. This can help to avoid condensation, mold and high indoor temperatures that contribute to a host of health problems and increase the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the home.
Insulation is made up of pockets of air or gas that slow down the flow of conduction, preventing energy from being transferred through the walls and into adjacent rooms. It is a very effective material for this purpose, with the best type of insulation being cellulose fibre which consists of thousands of tiny pockets of air and is available in rolls, batts and loose-fill. It is especially suitable for gaps around windows and doors, as well as letterbox openings, keyholes and other small gaps where draughts can be caused.
Most homes have some form of insulation installed, whether in the walls, ceilings, floors, or attic. However, not all are insulated to the recommended levels. This may be down to cost, as many homeowners simply don’t want to pay for insulation, but it is a very worthwhile investment that will significantly reduce your energy bills in the long run.
In most homes, the greatest proportion of heat transfer is through the roof and ceiling. As such, this is the area where the highest amount of insulation should be placed. This insulation stops heat from escaping the home in the winter and prevents it from entering in the summer, allowing your heating and cooling systems to operate less frequently and efficiently.
Insulation is very cost-effective and will usually be paid for through energy savings within a year, depending on the energy prices in your area. It is one of the best investments you can make for your home, and is an integral part of a sustainable, green and healthy living environment.
Prevents Insects
Insulation doesn’t just prevent energy loss, it also helps keep unwanted pests out of your home. Pests and rodents often use gaps, cracks, holes, and other openings in the foundation, roof, soffits, and areas around doors, windows, electrical outlets, and pipes to gain entry into a building or home. Insulation is a highly effective method of blocking these entry points.
Some insulation products are pre-treated with rodent and insect repellents to help homeowners with pest control. This is particularly important for homes in humid climates. Many insulation products are treated with boric acid, a compound that suffocates insects and rodents if they ingest it. This is especially helpful in preventing cockroaches and ants, two of the most common home invaders.
Many of the same materials that make insulation a good choice for pest-control also make it an effective choice for preventing drafts and saving on energy bills. Insulation that is blown or spray-installed creates an airtight barrier, minimizing drafts and preventing pests from entering the living space of your home.
When it comes to insulation for pest control, the best option is spray foam. This is the only insulation that creates a seamless, airtight seal. Other types of insulation, such as fiberglass, require additional air-sealing products to keep critters out of the house.
Rodents and insects like to seek out old or inadequate insulation for shelter and food. They often nest in these spaces, which can lead to structural damage or health risks for the homeowners. In some cases, the pests can chew through electrical wires or other vital components in the walls and attic of your home.
The cellulose in spray foam works to repel and kill pests that are trying to infest your home. The borate powder in the insulation clings to the legs and bodies of the insects and affects their metabolism and exoskeleton. The bugs will try to clean themselves and ingest the borate, which is deadly for them. This type of insulation is most effective for bugs that groom themselves, such as ants and cockroaches, but it will not prevent infestations by ticks, bed bugs, beetles, centipedes, flies, hornets, or moths, which will require the services of an exterminator.
Prevents Draughts
Draughts occur when warm air escapes from your home through cracks, gaps and poorly insulated windows, doors and walls. They can make your home feel cold and uncomfortable, and they can also contribute to high energy bills and poor indoor climate. Insulation and draught-proofing reduce these draughts and prevent heat loss, helping you to save money on your energy bill while also improving the comfort of your home.
Many old homes lose around 25% of their warmth through draughts, making them less comfortable and more expensive to run. Fortunately, most draughts can be easily eliminated using insulation and draught proofing. This is usually a very cheap and simple project, although if you need to replace your existing doors and windows you will need to consider the additional cost of replacing these.
Draught proofing is the process of sealing gaps and cracks in and around your home, preventing the escape of warm air and the entry of cold air. It’s essential in older buildings, but even newer properties can benefit from draught proofing. It’s easy to carry out a DIY draught proofing project and the initial costs are often offset by savings on your heating bills.
There are many ways to prevent draughts, but one of the most effective is to install insulation in your loft space. A draught in your home can be caused by heat escaping from hot water radiators, fire places and stoves, or it could be caused by air flow through service penetrations such as pipes and cables. In addition to draughts, a lack of insulation can result in dampness and condensation, both of which are difficult to treat.
The most common source of draughts is the gap between your window or door and its frame. Wooden frames can shrink, swell and warp over time, leaving large gaps which allow cold air to enter the house. This is often made worse by poorly fitting curtains and blinds which do not fully cover the window. Modern uPVC and aluminium doors and windows are much better sealed than their older counterparts, but many people still experience problems with gaps and leaks. It’s easy to rectify this with a draught proofing kit or filler, and seals for uPVC, timber and aluminium windows and doors can be bought from most DIY stores. Look for draught proofing products with a British Standard Kitemark, indicating that they have been independently tested to a high standard.
Reduces Noise
Insulation has the power to keep your home quiet, which is ideal for people living in shared homes or apartments. Its main function is to prevent heat loss, but it also absorbs sound and reduces outside noises. This makes your home much more comfortable and creates a more private environment, especially if you live near busy roads or airports.
The type of insulation you choose for your home will determine how much it can reduce outside sounds. The best choice for reducing both airborne and impact noises is foam insulation, such as spray or injection foam. It swells to fill spaces, forming a barrier that wards off air flow while dampening sound vibrations. This type of insulation can be installed in attics and walls, making it the ideal solution for eliminating noise pollution.
Fiberglass insulation is another good option for soundproofing because it’s affordable and easy to install. It works well to absorb airborne noises, such as music, voices or TV, and it can also help reduce outdoor noises like traffic, planes and construction work. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper and is even more effective for absorbing sound waves than fiberglass batts. It is more dense than fiberglass, so it is also great for reducing impact noises, such as footsteps or slamming doors.
The ability of insulation to block and absorb noises can be attributed to its density and the fact that it traps air. It is the same principle that cats’ fur and birds’ feathers use to trap air around them, which helps them retain their body heat while keeping out cold air. Similarly, thermal insulation manages temperature by preventing the transfer of heat while absorbing air in order to keep homes warm during winter and cool during summer. This dual function of insulation not only cuts energy bills and makes homes more comfortable but it also helps to improve health by reducing stress and noise pollution. It can also boost productivity in offices and schools by reducing distractions, which can have negative effects on employee performance. In addition, it can promote healthier sleep and rest patterns by limiting the external noises that disrupt our natural sleeping cycles.