The Lowdown on Insulation

Around half of all your heat can escape if your home is not properly insulated. Efficient insulation is one of the most energy-efficient ways to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The added benefit is a reduced electricity bill and a much smaller carbon footprint. 

How does it work?

Insulation is a layer of material in your walls, ceiling, floor and roof that moderates the temperature inside your home. Heat flows naturally from warmer areas to cooler ones. During the winter, heat moves directly from warm spaces to unheated spaces and outdoors and in summer, it moves from the warm outdoors to the cooler interior of your home.

Insulation slows the movement of heat from a hot space to a cooler space, increasing the energy efficiency of your home by reducing the amount of heat that escapes.

When installed properly, insulation can increase the comfort levels of your home by maintaining a consistent, uniform temperature from room to room.

What to look out for?

If you are in the process of replacing your insulation, or building from the ground up and need to make the decision on what insulation, you want to look at the R and U values of each material. The R-value is a method of measuring how well a material resists heat. The U-value is the measurement of heat transfer in a particular material.

The higher the R-Value, the better the material is at insulating your home and restricts thermal heat from entering or exiting your home. The lower the U-Value, the better able the material is at insulating your home. 

Three Types of Insulation

• Fiberglass is one of the most widely used types of insulations, and it can be installed as a blanket system of rolls. Examples include Aerolite, Granric and Knauf.
• Polyester like Isotherm and Think Green
• Cellulose Insulation is one of the most environmentally friendly types of insulation. It is made up of 80 per cent recycled newspapers. It is also one of the best types of insulation for soundproofing. 

Quick Product Overview 

Think pink aerolite is still the best-known insulation on the market, with isotherm insulation becoming more popular in recent years. Aerolite, Isotherm and Think Green all have very similar R-values, making it more about budget and preference. 

Aerolite is a type of fibreglass insulation. It is better defined by its composition, pink in colour, high in quality, thermal and acoustic components. It is manufactured in rolls that can be easily cut, is safe, non-flammable and affordable.  

Isotherm is popular with homeowners as it does not contain chemicals or fibreglass, is eco-friendly, safe, non-allergic and has a 30-year manufacturer warranty.  

Think Green is an eco-friendly polyester ceiling insulation produced by using PET plastic bottles.  This product is locally produced in Johannesburg, which keeps costs down.

Contain that heat, make an informed decision and keep your home nice and toasty this winter. Choose a HOMEMAKERS expert here.

Mamela ho Sengoloa sa insulin ka Sotho mona (Listen to The Lowdown on Insulation in Sotho here):