Insulation

Today we stared insulating the house in preparation for putting up the plasterboards on monday.

The recommended insulation for our climate is R1.5~R2.0 fibreglass batts for the walls and R2~R3.0 for the ceiling.

We've put in R2.0 Bradford Gold Wall batts from CSR (these are basically the same as the Boral Pink Batts) into the external walls and will use Boral R3.0 Pink Polybatts in the ceiling. The poly wool batts aren't quite as eco friendly as the fibreglass ones which are up to 70% recycled glass content, but they are a lot nicer to handle (not itchy and irritating), and since I'll probably be in the roof from time to time, I prefer the polybatts. These types of insulation generally work out at between $3.20 and $5.50 per square metre. Our ceiling and external wall areas are about 300 square metres.

We aren't putting in extra sound insulation batts because we are using a really good wall product. The gypsum-type wall is called POWERSCAPE and it is thicker than the usual plasterboard, denser and more compressed and is therefore stronger and more sound proof. Unlike normal plasterboard, you can fix screws into it and it'll hold up to 20kg. It has the impact resistance of masonry, so it will last much longer, it is low allergenic and just as easy as plasterboard to install. Even though it has a higher embodied energy compared to Australian made plasterboard - probably from the transport cost (therefore, not as good ecologically), it is actually certified to be composed of 95%recycled material, which is much better than the plasterboard. So, yes, this wall is more expensive (normally about 4 times more expensive than plasterboard) but the Australian distribution of Powerscape is changing hands as of the 1st July, and they are going to discontinue the 16mm product and only sell 13mm boards so I've been able to buy 400 square metres at $8.50 +GST per metre instead of ~$18 +GST.

Anway, our next week will involve getting termite treatment, putting up the powerscape and finishing the ceiling insulation and plasterboard. Then, whilst we are in Sweden for Tomo's wedding, we 'll get the plasterer to finish off and maybe even get in a painter!

cya

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