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 excellent 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.

FLETCHER INSULATION
Suitable for use in both multi-residential and commercial buildings, 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. 
Integrated seamlessly across the Thermaframe centre pocket and flush glazed systems this thermal break technology achieves excellent structural and energy saving results. 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 are German engineered and manufactured to exacting specifications. Regardless of whether the job at hand involves connecting concrete to concrete, concrete to steel, or steel to steel, the versatile range of Schöck thermal breaks offers the right solution to protect against thermal bridges in new buildings and balcony renovation projects.
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 outstanding 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.

Suppliers

Fletcher Insulation

Alspec

Laros

Foamex

Bondor
 

Image: Fletcher Insulation