Types of Insulation Referenced in the Handbook
Six types of insulation products are used throughout the Insulation Handbook which can be loosely referred to as reflective foil, blankets, batts or boards. Some insulation is a combination of these:
Reflective Insulation
Type 1. Single Sided Poly Weave Foils
A polymesh woven material with a reflective foil adhered to one side, polymesh products can also have a paper inner core layer, the other side typically being opaque. Sometimes referred to as a radiant barrier insulation. Polymesh products are also available in breather (moisture vapour permeable grades. (Emissivity of bright face assumed to be 0.03, poly weave face is 0.87).
Type 2. Double Sided Antiglare Foils
Antiglare foils with reflective foil on each side of an inner paper based lining, one face being coated with an antiglare ink to reduce glare. Also available in breather grades and in perforated form where holes are approximately 2mm in diameter resulting in 10% open area. (Emissivity of bright face assumed to be 0.03, antiglare face is 0.1).
Type 3. Bubble Foil
Double sided reflective foils. One side coated with antiglare to reduce glare. Centre core material made of polymesh, typically 7mm thick enclosing a single layer of individual air bubbles. (Emissivity of bright face assumed to be 0.03, antiglare face is 0.10).
Note: Reflective insulation may perform differently in “Summer” and “Winter”; therefore you must:
First identify in which climate zone the particular building project is located (Refer to BCA Climate Map).
Next, refer to the Minimum Total R-Value table displayed in BCA Part J or Part 3.12.1 to determine whether the ‘Summer’ or ‘Winter’ design condition is applicable.
The performances of reflective foil insulation and bulk insulation are based on generic ‘products’ NOT proprietary brands. For information on specific reflective insulation or bulk insulation brands, please direct requests to the appropriate manufacturers. Select a product that has an equivalent or better specification of that nominated in this handbook.
Insulation Batts, Blankets and Boards
Type 4. Ceiling and Wall Batts
Lightweight, flexible and resilient bulk glasswool Insulation batt, specially designed for thermal insulation of ceilings and cavity walls in both domestic and commercial buildings. They have the added benefit of being an effective sound absorber and so contribute to both the thermal and acoustic comfort of building occupants.
Type 5. Foil Faced Blanket
Roofing blanket consists of a lightweight flexible bulk mineral insulation blanket faced on one side with reflective foil laminate. The blanket material is available in various R-values and thicknesses. (Emissivity of bright face assumed to be 0.03).
Type 6. Antiglare Reflective EPS Board
Foil-faced polystyrene foam boards consist of expanded polystyrene sheets (EPS) faced on both sides with a reflective foil laminate, one face additionally coated with an antiglare ink to reduce glare. (Emissivity of bright face assumed to be 0.03, antiglare face is 0.10).
