ecoMaster: Pioneers in Energy-Efficient Home Retrofitting

Deciding whether to insulate the floor or walls first depends on the specific characteristics and needs of your home.

Whilst wall insulation is often thought of as a priority project because walls are a significant source of heat transfer, it is a much more expensive and intrusive process that requires specialists to do the work.

Insulating the floor can provide significant benefits, particularly in homes with uninsulated crawl spaces or basements. Floor insulation helps prevent cold draughts and heat loss through the ground, which can be especially noticeable in winter.

ecoMaster suggests that if your home experiences cold floors or draughts, addressing the floor insulation before wall insulation can lead to immediate comfort improvements and energy savings.   Underfloor insulation is also a much lower cost, DIY project.

Ultimately, both wall and floor insulation are important for a well-insulated thermally efficient home, but the choice depends on your immediate needs and the specific heat loss characteristics of your home.

There are many materials used to insulate beneath floorboards, but none so effective as polyester rolls, stapled firmly between the joists.  This has become the de-facto industry standard.

Over the years we’ve come across a variety of ineffective alternatives.  All have taken many hours to install and have cost the householder hundreds if not thousands in material – with negative results.

1. Insulation batts held up with packing strap.
This quick and cheap installation method doesn’t hold the insulation firmly against the floorboards, allowing space for air flow between the material and the floorboards and easy access for rodents.

2. Reflective insulation joined end-to-end.
Does not allow adequate still air space and is virtually impossible to install the sheets end-to-end without gaps, making it ineffective.

3. Builder’s Blanket secured by mesh wires.
As you can see above, a few short years later the material is sagging (allowing air infiltration) and the product is breaking down due to water damage.

4. Fibreglass bulk insulation secured with chicken wire.
Over time, the fibrous nature of this underfloor insulation has allowed it to break down, rodents have carried some of it away and while the securing mechanism did stay in place, the material did not.

What is the best type of underfloor insulation available?
Having reviewed all of the different types of underfloor  insulation available. We choose Autex Polyester for its effectiveness, longevity and non-toxic properties. Our installation technique ensures a snug fit as we staple the insulation every 100mm -150mm.

Yes, you most certainly can!  And we have all the information you need to achieve a great result.  From advice on what type of insulation and what width is the most appropriate to installation techniques.  We provide step-by-step installation videos on how to install under floor insulation to make it super simple.

We can provide an estimate on how much insulation you will need and have that insulation delivered to your home.  Alternatively you may be able to pick it up, depending upon your location.  ecoMaster also provides phone / chat support during the installation process if you need a bit more help. 

For Melbourne customers, we even have stapler hire using the best trade quality staplers that are hired out at very economical weekly rates. 

Our Technical Director has recorded an excellent Masterclass on underfloor insulation, which is free to access.   Before you embark on your underfloor insulation journey, this is an excellent starting point so you are fully informed.  You can even become the neighbourhood guru!

There is a whole website dedicated to every aspect of underfloor insulation click here to learn more.

The R-value of underfloor insulation varies depending on the type and thickness of the insulation material used. Typically, polyester insulation rolls, which are popular for their ease of installation and durability, have R-values ranging from R2.0 to R2.5. Ratings of R3.0 and R4.0 are unavailable – but are less common.  Generally, these higher R values are to achieve an overall energy rating for a home to achieve a Certificate of Occupancy or after a significant renovation. 

Fiberglass batts offer R-values around R2.0 depending on their density and thickness. Reflective insulation materials, like foil-faced products, generally have lower R-values on their own, generally R1.4. 

When weighing up the price of your underfloor insulation project, make sure you compare price per square metre as well as R-values. 

You will need around 40cm clearance (or about knee height) to feel comfortable under your floor.  Given many householders don’t hang around under their floors, it is fairly unfamiliar territory.  Mostly you would be working on your back, so our rule of thumb is ‘Can you turn on your side if you need to?’.  If the answer is ‘Yes‘, then you should be good to proceed with installing your insulation. 

From a safety viewpoint, it is always good to have someone else either working with you or able to assist if needed. 

The easiest way to insulate a floor typically involves the use of readily available, clearly understood and user-friendly materials, such as polyester insulation rolls. This method is straightforward and can often be handled as a DIY project, minimizing the need for professional installation.

This method involves measuring the space between floor joists and stapling it securely to the joists. For installations from below, staple the insulation along the underside of the joists, ensuring it is tight and flush to avoid gaps. 

Polyester insulation is particularly advantageous because it is non-irritant, safe to handle, and resistant to moisture and pests, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Its ease of installation makes it an ideal choice for homeowners looking to enhance comfort and reduce energy bills without extensive labour or expense. 

If budget is particularly tight, or you don’t have a lot of spare time, you can install just one pack of polyester insulation at a time – making it a highly affordable DIY project.

Yes, you can insulate under floorboards without removing them by accessing the space from underneath the house. This method is particularly effective for homes with accessible crawl spaces or basements.

Polyester insulation rolls can be fitted between the joists from below, and stapled into place. This approach ensures a snug fit and effective insulation without the need to disrupt the existing flooring.

Using a double insulated staple gun and galvanized staples, you can secure the insulation every 100 to 150 mm along the joists to prevent sagging and ensure durability.

However, if you do not have sufficient space to access underneath your home, there are several choices: 
* removing the floorboards from inside (this is common in a full renovation where the home is stripped back to the frame).  They are reinstated after the floor has been insulated.   
*  removing selected floorboards to allow access
* digging out earth between bearers to create a hollow sufficient to allow installer access.  Yes – this technique is more for enthusiasts who are looking to improve their cardio vascular health as well as their thermal comfort.  But it has been done by ecoMaster clients with great success. 

Mice tend to avoid certain types of insulation materials, particularly those that are less conducive to nesting and difficult to chew through. Polyester insulation, like the kind offered by ecoMaster, is one such material. Polyester is not only durable and moisture-resistant, but it also lacks the food value and nesting comfort that mice seek, making it unattractive to rodents. This material is also easy to install and maintain, adding another layer of convenience for homeowners looking to insulate their homes effectively while keeping pests at bay.

An increasing number of homes are being built with steel joists rather than timber.  If you need to insulate your steel-framed floor, ecoMaster’s Joisties offer an elegantly simple DIY solution.

Joisties hold insulation in place and reduce thermal bridging from the steel joists.  It does not matter if your joists are “C” or box sections, Joisties come with fitting tools and special “stick once” glue for easy installation.

Joisties effectively act as woollen socks for your steel joists, creating a warmer and more comfortable living environment.
Click here to learn more.

That is a great question, and is answered at length Ant and Rodent Proof Insulation

We are so pleased you asked!  ecoMaster has been installing underfloor insulating for 20 years and has supported many thousands more to install their own sub floor insulation.

We have a specialist website dedicated to explaining everything you need to know about under floor insulation.

Learn more here.