Author Topic: Sub-Floor Insulation (Read 7332 times)

fuji · « **on:** June 01, 2012, 05:32:11 AM »

Anyway getting away from the subjects of CTs and fourbys, I would like to discuss what type of insulation you have in your roof and under floor, mainly under floor as I don't have any. I have noticed the cold this year. It's 5 a.m. now and inside it's 13 degrees and outside it's 4.7. I don't have sub floor insulation. I do have 10 ft ceilings and glass bats in roof space but no insulfoil on colourbond roof. (Wanted to hear the rain) We are on a raised floor and have ample space to get under the house and have wooden floorboards on top of yellow tongue. Are there any pros out there re insulation? Should I get spray on foam type of stuff (polystyrene) or foil. The blocks of polystyrene is really dear and didnt want to go that way. Should I buy bulk glass batts and glue between joists? Getting a wood heater which will keep the house warm when it's on. My roof space has a pitch of 35-38 degres. Thanks all. This is way I want to move up to Cairns.

griz066 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:43:36 AM »

We have a Qld'er on 8 ft stumps, 11'6 ceilings, single skin wall so no insulation there either. batts in the roof but not underfloor. We have a wood heater and this morning it is 7 outside and 18 inside.

fuji · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2012, 08:17:04 AM »

Quote from: griz066 on June 01, 2012, 05:43:36 AM

We have a Qld'er on 8 ft stumps, 11'6 ceilings, batts in the roof but no underfloor. We have a wood heater and this morning it is 7 outside and 18 inside.

As you have a Q'lander, it must be weatherboard? I forgot to mention that our house is weatherboard but has insulation between the walls.

Tjupurula · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2012, 08:30:15 AM »

I thought you enjoyed the cold Wayne. I know that I shivered through the night in Alice Springs on Tuesday. We were going to be there two days, but arrived Tuesday morning and left 10 hours later. Good thing about where I live, we just make a fire and move the swags outside near the fire, our version of insulation.
Regards
Tjupurula

fuji · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2012, 09:29:29 AM »

I hate the cold!!!!! LOL

Mace · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2012, 09:31:56 AM »

Straight sisalation under floor will give a simpler improvement.

Strange that you dont have any under the colourbond roof, thought that was mandatory! You will still be loosing a lot of heat thru the roof if none fitted, and condensation will form on underside of colourbond.

http://eurekainsulation.com.au/specifiers/Sisalation-439.pdf

Mace

Mace · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2012, 09:41:00 AM »

BTW, 13 degrees inside is pure luxury!!!

Our home doesnt have any sisalation under the tile roof either, and has a couple of bedrooms with louvre windows!! I put in batts last summer, made a bit of a difference. Thinking of how to retrofit sisalation at the moment, other option is replace tile roof with colourbond and wrap properly.

It was 6.7 and falling on the internal kitchen thermometer at 7:30 this morning, 0.5 outside.

Luckily we have natural gas, but the winter gas bill can top $400.

LJs GU · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2012, 11:09:47 AM »

Wayne,
We had a similar situation with our last place. We had tassie oak floorboards (no yellow tongue though).
I used pink batts and they were a perfect fit between the floor joists. Didn't need to glue.
I did go the belt and braces for my own peace of mind though. I got some thin plastic strap and stapled that across the joists so the batts couldn't fall down. I think the strap was the stuff that they use to hold up the heating and cooling ducting.
Anyway, it made a MASSIVE difference.
I look back on it now and wish we'd done it sooner, as we spent a few years with very cold tootsies!
If you think about it, it's just the same set up as normal (tiled) roof insulation...
LJ

fuji · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2012, 11:22:13 AM »

Quote from: Mace on June 01, 2012, 09:31:56 AM

Straight sisalation under floor will give a simpler improvement.

Strange that you dont have any under the colourbond roof, thought that was mandatory! You will still be loosing a lot of heat thru the roof if none fitted, and condensation will form on underside of colourbond.

http://eurekainsulation.com.au/specifiers/Sisalation-439.pdf

Mace

Hi Mace
It wasn't mandatory 8 years ago. I wanted to hear the rain and now paying the price. I have ample stand up straight roof space and can install the sisalation. I think i will go and buy some this week. Thanks for the link.
Wayne

Thanks LJ
It might be cheaper to buy the batts on evilbay for the subfloor. There is still alot of it being sold after the federal govt insulation scheme. That will close the gaps.
Wayne

Mace · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2012, 11:39:05 AM »

Off topic!

Got the Aurion serviced yesterday, didnt see your new rig yet!! Did manage to have a sit in a FJ Cruiser tho. Schmick!!

LJs GU · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2012, 11:42:36 AM »

Quote from: Donuts on June 01, 2012, 11:22:13 AM

Thanks LJ
It might be cheaper to buy the batts on evilbay for the subfloor. There is still alot of it being sold after the federal govt insulation scheme. That will close the gaps.
Wayne

Be wary of the quality though Wayne. There was a lot of crap batts being installed... I went up into the old folks roof a while ago after they took part in that scheme. The folks had the blow in stuff already and the batts were put on top of it. Great you'd think, but the batts were Shite. It'd be the equivalent of throwing a tissue over a doona for warmth. Very thin and skinnier than the 'good stuff'.
LJ

Mace · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2012, 11:47:32 AM »

Bunnings every now and then have a special on Batt Packs.

I think they were $150 for a pack of 5x21 R3.5 batts.

They are usually $60 a single pack.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_r35-insulation-batts-earthwool-175x430-pk-21_3058.aspx

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:02:13 PM »

Probably not the comment you were looking for and I know this sounds pretty obvious but a nice pair of uggies or a warm dog work wonders for me (edit: meant to say underfoot ... just in case you were wondering). If you feel cold in the body, a jumper and long pants or a blankie are good to don after a warm shower.

Costs less ... works better IMHO.

There is always the 'Bedroom Horizontal Tango' or moving to a warmer house I guess.

Alternately in summer, I stay cool with a cold, cold drink, a quick shower when required and use the optional clothing rule

Kit_e

fuji · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:20:33 PM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on June 01, 2012, 01:02:13 PM

Probably not the comment you were looking for and I know this sounds pretty obvious but a nice pair of uggies or a warm dog work wonders for me. If you feel cold in the body, a jumper and long pants or a blankie are good to don after a warm shower.

Costs less ... works better IMHO.

There is always the 'Bedroom Horizontal Tango' or moving to a warmer house I guess.

Alternately in summer, I stay cool with a cold, cold drink, a quick shower when required and use the optional clothing rule

Kit_e

Apparently I have to get SWMBO to read 50 Shades of Grey or similar. That will warm the house for a life time. That is according to some mums at school. I am wearing long trackies and a polar fleece jacket, with the front and back door open! I know, "WTF"

Long story.

fuji · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:22:01 PM »

Quote from: Mace on June 01, 2012, 11:47:32 AM

Bunnings every now and then have a special on Batt Packs.

I think they were $150 for a pack of 5x21 R3.5 batts.

They are usually $60 a single pack.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_r35-insulation-batts-earthwool-175x430-pk-21_3058.aspx

Thats a good deal!! Have to have a look asap

fuji · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:26:35 PM »

Quote from: Mace on June 01, 2012, 11:39:05 AM

Off topic!

Got the Aurion serviced yesterday, didnt see your new rig yet!! Did manage to have a sit in a FJ Cruiser tho. Schmick!!

The new rig is probably still in The Land of The Rising Sun. Try again in a month. It will be a white Workmate with alloys and crap tyres. Do trains go to Benalla? Thinking of training it when I pick her up.

Mace · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:45:40 PM »

Sure do.

http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/timetables/albury.pdf

Will cost you $35 approx from memory

fuji · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2012, 02:55:38 PM »

Quote from: Mace on June 01, 2012, 09:41:00 AM

BTW, 13 degrees inside is pure luxury!!!

Our home doesnt have any sisalation under the tile roof either, and has a couple of bedrooms with louvre windows!! I put in batts last summer, made a bit of a difference. Thinking of how to retrofit sisalation at the moment, other option is replace tile roof with colourbond and wrap properly.

It was 6.7 and falling on the internal kitchen thermometer at 7:30 this morning, 0.5 outside.

Luckily we have natural gas, but the winter gas bill can top $400.

I helped my neighbour retroinstall his poly batts so if you need a hand let me know for the sisalation.

fuji · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2012, 02:58:34 PM »

Quote from: Mace on June 01, 2012, 01:45:40 PM

Sure do.

http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/timetables/albury.pdf

Will cost you $35 approx from memory

Free for boys and girls in uniform, don' t let that get out lol

Mace · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2012, 03:25:12 PM »

Quote from: Donuts on June 01, 2012, 02:55:38 PM

I helped my neighbour retroinstall his poly batts so if you need a hand let me know for the sisalation.

Thats a big statement from someone who hasnt seen our roofspace!

An absolute nightmare up there.

Ducted cooling everywhere, passageways and robes with a lower ceiling height. Only one access point, thru a passageway cupboard. Builder apparently didnt like flat surfaces.

The reputable local insulation installer gave me a quote of $3500 to do it. Seriously thinking of stripping the whole roof and starting again.

fuji · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2012, 04:03:16 PM »

Mate after crawling through next doors, I reckon yours wouldnt be a prob. But then again??? Anytime you need a hand just yell! And besides I'm a shortarse.

briann532 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:46:38 PM »

Quote from: Donuts on June 01, 2012, 01:20:33 PM

Apparently I have to get SWMBO to read 50 Shades of Grey or similar. That will warm the house for a life time. That is according to some mums at school. I am wearing long trackies and a polar fleece jacket, with the front and back door open! I know, "WTF" Long story.

My wifes reading the set for the 2nd time............

I love it. I get to spend time in the garage on the puter and she's content

Brian

Now onto the original topic........

YES YES and YES.

Insulation will make a huge difference.

If your roof isn't sarked, you can get some insualtion the will fit between the rafters.
It squeezes into place and doesnt fall, but you can tack some string across to keep it from falling anyway.

Do the same under the floor.
If for no other reason, do it to reduce your energy usage. You'll save heaps.
I guarantee it will make a big difference.
Walk around barefoot for half an hour, then put some thongs on and tell me you can't feel the difference......

Brian

fuji · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:48:01 PM »

Thanks Brian

fuji · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2012, 07:18:38 AM »

Half price insulation $25 a bag of 16 batts, Sydney Rd C'field

Jon · « **Reply #24 on:** June 11, 2012, 08:57:02 AM »

If you have a timber floor make sure you use the spray on foam as hiding any timber under loose insulation is asking for termites by virtue that the insulated area is no longer under scrutiny. Not sure but I'd reckon the foam is toxic to bugs so added protection.

Anyone else's thoughts?

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Author Topic: Sub-Floor Insulation (Read 7332 times)