Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 21, 2011 3:52 pm Has anyone looked at the costings for increasing stud wall thickness from 90 to 140mm to accept higher rating fibreglass batts vs using high density insulation (more expensive) materials to achieve an R2.5-R3.0 rating? Where the new home will be, we have had up to -8 overnight and I want to future proof this home so I don't spend my retirement (years away) terrified of power bills in winter. Also, are the higher density insulation materials as good as they claim, or is it buyer beware? Is there a web site with NATA laboratory test results for comparison? Re: Stud wall thickness vs insulation 3Jul 21, 2011 6:46 pm CSR Bradford manufacture rockwool batts called Soundscreen Plus. They have a 2.5 R value rating and are 88mm thick meaning they will fit within a standard 90mm frame. The batts also have accoustic dampening properties so they will provide sound proofing as an added benefit. Don't get a thicker frame (I don't even know if this is possible) as you will have diminishing returns in efficiency with a rating higher than 2.5 anyway. Plus if you have sisulation fixed to your external frame this adds at least an extra .5 overall. Be sure to stuff all the gaps in the frame too (between windows/doors and the house frame). And remember that your house is only as efficient as the weakest link so double glaze your windows if you are serious about energy efficiency. Re: Stud wall thickness vs insulation 4Jul 22, 2011 11:47 am Thicker wall frames shouldn't be a problem. The frames have to be custom made by the frame manufacturer anyway. The question is whether the extra thickness is worth the lower cost of fibreglass batts vs, say, rockwool. For R2.5 fibreglass a thicker wall would be mandatory. Yes, double glazing is on the list. The wife wants insulated shutters on the windows for nighttime security. However, this is a disincentive to using awning or casement windows - having a powered shutter come down on an open window is an expensive accident. In the US they achieve good efficiencies with double hung and sliding double glazed windows, but not so here. Another item to be investigated further. Hi all, Just wondering if anyone had suggestions on installing/replacing wall insulation on an external wall which doesn't have wrap, our miners cottage being constructed… 0 4957 1 19743 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi all, I’m in a house built 7 yrs ago. One bedroom wall faces East and gets strong morning sun. It’s a gyprock wall with hebel exterior. One section of the wall,… 0 2320 |