Ceiling insulation

Antoxa · Oct 23, 2007 9:57 am

Hi All,

Can you please tell me what type of ceiling insulation is better, Glasswool bats R4.0 or Cellulose Fiber R4.0? And what are advantages of the better one and disadvantages of the worse one?

Thanks

_Al_ · Oct 23, 2007 10:14 am

Fibreglass ones can irritate the skin when you install it yourself. Cellulose/polyester or whatever they're made of don't make you itchy.

Rating 4.0 is the same meaning thermal properties are the same for both products. Not that you could ever tell the difference.

Antoxa · Oct 23, 2007 10:44 am

What type of insulation is best (price, healthy)?

Glasswool and rockwool batts/blankets
Natural wool
Cellulose fibre
Polyester

I have just read that Cellulose fibre is dusty and can settle.

_Al_ · Oct 23, 2007 11:49 am

Antoxa

What type of insulation is best (price, healthy)?

Glasswool and rockwool batts/blankets
Natural wool
Cellulose fibre
Polyester

I have just read that Cellulose fibre is dusty and can settle.

Glasswool batts - can be itchy and can irritate lungs if you inhale fibres. Wear a mask when installing.

Wool - don't know much about it, but I daresay more expensive?

Fibre - Blown in? Will settle. May get uneven coverage.

Polyester - Easy to install, wont make you itch. Harder to cut than fibreglass along the length of batt. Not that you have to cut a lot. Similar price to fibreglass from memory or perhaps a tad more.

Are you doing it or someone else?
If yourself, I would use polyester batts cos they are fairly user friendly. And you need to eat about a bag and a half before they become dangerous. :wink:

Ring around and get prices. Then decide. It's not a hard job but it's hot in the roof space. And getting batts up there is a bit of a pain in an existing house.

And look here. http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=105246&catId=100519&tid=100008&p=3&title=Buying+guide%3a+Home+insulation