INSULATION

The best insulation solutions for you and the planet

WORDS MATT MCDONALD

Considering its demonstrated ability to significantly improve the thermal efficiency of residential applications, insulation is one of the more obvious parts of the climate change solution, as well as a sure way to save on energy bills.

While it has become clear in recent years that the global construction sector contributes significantly to carbon emissions and will have to change significantly over the next decade to play its part in ensuring we meet net zero carbon emissions targets, it has also become clear that some aspects of this overall task are simpler to achieve than others.

In the ‘difficult to achieve’ category we can place things like cement manufacturing, a process that according to some estimates, produces more greenhouse emissions than any other industrial activity; while in the ‘simple’ category it makes sense to place things like rejecting aluminium as much as possible and installing thermal insulation in our homes.

After all, in the case of cement, we are talking about a material that is not easy to replace on a global scale and whose manufacturing process will take time to change, whereas in the case of aluminium, there are several alternatives available for most applications in which it is commonly used.

Similarly in the case of thermal insulation, quality products already exist and their benefits are well documented. As the Climate Council has pointed out, 40 percent of heat is lost through buildings’ ceilings and roofs, 24 percent is lost through their walls, and 10 percent is lost through their ceilings. And, according to the Victorian Government, insulation is a simple way to cut these figures. Used appropriately, it can reduce energy usage and its associated cost by 40 - 50 percent.

In other words, insulation is an obvious and worthwhile choice for anybody interested in helping address the climate change problem. On top of that, it is a sure-fire way to save on energy costs. With all this in mind, here is a selection of some of the latest (and the best) products of this type for residential applications, along with their suppliers.

ABOVE Pink Partition insulation from Fletcher Insulation is designed for use in metal framed partitions, wall systems and ceilings.

FLETCHER INSULATION

Pink Partition insulation from Fletcher Insulation is designed for use in metal framed partitions, wall systems and ceilings.

Extremely effective in terms of both thermal and acoustic performance, the range encompasses multiple densities, thicknesses and dimensions to suit steel framed studs and to satisfy a broad range of building requirements.

Pink Partition is made from a next generation Fibre Bio-Soluble (FBS-1) formulation, which is safe to handle, soft to the touch, and easy to work with. It is made in Australia, which means it is well-suited to local conditions. Considering the limited transport requirements associated with local production, this also means that compression of the product is minimised.

Pink Partition has a characteristic rigid composition, which makes friction fitting possible and therefore reduces installation time and labour costs. In addition, this ensures the product will not slump within the cavity, which is significant because in cases where insulation does slump in this way effectiveness is compromised and the acoustic and thermal benefits are diminished.

Beyond that, another benefit of Pink Partition insulation is that it helps architects, designers and builders satisfy National Construction Code requirements in terms of energy efficiency, and acoustic performance. Non-combustible, it meets AS1530.1 and does not contribute additional fuel loading to buildings in which it is installed.

ALSPEC

Thermal breaks are materials of low thermal conductivity that are placed in an assembly (e.g. a window, balcony, or glass door) in order to reduce the flow of thermal energy between conductive materials. Their purpose is to prevent heat leaving the building.

Alspec’s Thermaframe systems are high performance energy efficient window, door and framing products that incorporate the latest European polyamide thermal break technology (known as Technoform) in order to improve thermal efficiency.

Boasting some of the lowest U-Value’s available in Australia (as low as Uw1.7), these systems also have glazing pockets up to 32mm, which means they can accept a huge range of insulated glass units.

Though not well-known here in Australia, in Europe polyamide has been a material of choice for such applications for more than 30 years. With this range of products, Alspec has combined this proven material with Australian design principles to deliver a system that rates highly in terms of both energy ratings and ease of installation.

Technoform Polyamide Strips, as used in Thermaframe systems, are made of fiberglass reinforced polyamide with glass fibers that are oriented in three directions to optimise structural performance.

It has been designed to accommodate high-performance double-glazed units, and in so doing, to help maximise the performance of building envelopes.

The Thermaframe products that incorporate Technoform include thermally broken awning/ casement windows, flush glazed thermally broken framing, centre pocket thermally broken framing, and thermally broken 50mm commercial doors.

LAROS

With its three product solutions, Isokorb, Sconnex and Isolink, Laros is able to supply thermal breaks to deal with thermal bridges on balconies; to ensure the thermal separation of reinforced concrete walls and columns; and to enable to the energy-efficient fastening of core-insulated concrete façades and rainscreen cladding façades.

All products have all relevant approvals for structural loading, fire resistance and thermal insulation values pre-calculated. They come complete with detailed planning literature and software to enhance certainty in construction and to provide peace of mind for the lifetime of the building.

Used in a broad range of applications, including many concrete and steel structure houses, all Schöck thermal breaks are independently certified by the Passivehouse Institute in Germany for use in ultra-efficient buildings in any climate zone.

Available in Australia from Laros, they ensure the thermal separation of components like balconies, while supporting heavy structural loading. In this way, these components no longer count as part of the heated volume of the thermal building envelope and heat losses or gains are greatly reduced.

FOAMEX

Available from Foamex, Styrotherm is a thermal insulation product made from Styroboard XPS, an extruded polystyrene that provides higher long-term R-values and better thermal performance than expanded polystyrene and many other insulation materials. A lightweight, highly compressed and durable product, Styrotherm delivers a complete slab solution with slab edge insulation, and therefore helps prevent thermal bridging around the perimeter of a house. In addition, according to the supplier, it can be used under residential concrete slabs to provide additional insulation benefits.

Styrotherm’s density and closed cell structure mean that it is practically impervious to water, dimensionally stable and organically inert. As such, Styrotherm sheets are suitable for use in moist environments with no loss in thermal resistance, and no effect on dimensional stability.

Australian-made, lightweight and easy to handle, Styrotherm is also 100 percent recyclable and HCFC free. KPA rating to suit any project, it combines high compressive strength with durable, sturdy construction and is therefore suitable for long lasting applications.

BONDOR

Bondor offers thermally insulated roofing and walling products in three globally recognised core options including PIR, Mineral Wool and EPS-FR. Each provides specific performance criteria to suit individual project requirements.

All Insulated Sandwich Panel (ISPs), these products comprise an insulating core sandwiched between Bluescope steel for walling applications, and a ribbed profile on one side to channel the rainwater in roofing applications.

The company’s roofing brands – Insulroof, Solarspan, Metecnospan and Econoclad – provide thermal performance and rapid installation without compromising on design expression.

Meanwhile, Bondor’s wall systems are lightweight and require only minimal structural support (and in some cases are actually self-supporting). Added to the fact that they are available with very long spans, this equates to a simple design phase, faster installation and a better performing building envelope for the life of the building.

The wall systems include Equitilt and MetecnoInspire, which are architectural insulated façade wall systems that are lightweight, durable, and ideal for creating long lasting and creative structures; as well as Flameguard, a non-combustible and fire-rated walling product with a non-ozone depleting mineral wool core, encased in BlueScope Steel pre-finished in Colorbond.

According to the company, there are several factors that set these products apart. Light weight and quick to build, they also deliver thermal performance levels that are not possible using traditional built-up systems.

In addition, all are three-in-one panels. They comprise a roof sheet, insulation and ceiling sheet in a single compact unit. As such, they replace the traditional approach of built-up systems using individual products (roofing, insulation and ceiling products). The structural nature of the products also means there is no need for trusses. Therefore, the panels can achieve long spans and are able to open up living space very effectively.

Because the insulating material is held in place and the panels lock together with airtight joints, it does not suffer from crumbling, sagging or gaps, as is sometimes the case with traditional approaches to insulation.

Replacing three individual products with one also means a better outcome for the environment with less site waste and few site deliveries to manage.

ABOVE Photo by gipi23.

SUPPLIERS Fletcher Insulation architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/fletcher-insulation Alspec architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/alspec Laros architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/laros-technologies Foamex architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/foamex-group Bondor architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/bondor

The advantages of high performance solid aluminium cladding

In the residential sector, traditional cladding materials such as timber and brick remain popular with architects and designers. However, increasingly stringent building regulations and an environmentally-conscious clientele has put the spotlight on alternative solutions, particularly low weight and energy-efficient exterior panels, that are better suited to Australia’s harsh climate.

Even among the more popular cladding options, such as timber, fibre cement, brick and steel, there are few cladding materials that can match solid aluminium for its broad range of architectural benefits.

As it provides a unique balance of performance, usability and aesthetics, aluminium is an excellent cladding material for residential applications. This material’s strengths provide almost limitless design possibilities for contemporary Australian homes, and makes it possible to create structures that cannot be made from wood, brick or steel.

The key advantages of aluminium cladding are as follows: • Design versatility. One of the easiest materials to bend or fabricate with, aluminium can be extruded to almost

any shape, and is available in a range of shapes, colours and finishes. • Ease of installation. Leading cladding products are simply interlocked and tightened, then simply fixed on site with no specialist installers required. • Strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminium is about one-third the weight of steel, allowing building elements to be made thicker while still reducing weight. • Fire resistance. Aluminium is an inherently non-combustible material, enabling solid aluminium cladding to meet the fire performance requirements of the NCC. • Environmentally-friendly. Aluminium is considered the “green” metal for its longevity, low weight and the fact it is 100% recyclable.

• Corrosion resistance and durability.

Aluminium has a natural oxide coating that provides an effective protective layer against weather elements. • Low maintenance. Periodic cleaning is required, but this is relatively minimal compared to the regular treatment required to maintain other traditional cladding materials.

ProCladTM LINEAR: Aluminium Facade Systems (powered by Alspec)

Australian owned, designed and manufactured by Aluminium Facade Systems, ProCladTM LINEAR is an intelligent aluminium interlocking facade system that is 100% non-combustible and provides a modern and aestheticallypleasing element to any facade. Available in an extensive selection of colours and finishes, the range consists of four different profiles (Empire, Urban, Manor and Walsh), each with a unique look and supplied as a complete system with components for fixing and corner details.