Sustainable Tip 6 – what’s good insulation?
Timber floors are cool in summer, warm in winter and more sustainable than cement or tiles
Good insulation is a material and design which works well in winter and summer and uses least materials.
For a wall:
The outside material is waterproof eg colorbond + next layer is a 50 mm air gap + next layer is Polyair Performa insulation which also acts as a water barrier + rammed earth from the site
There’s a useful drawing of a wall in Sustainable House p25
For a roof and ceiling:
To conserve materials and achieve high ceilings the ceiling and the roof will be combined eg Ritek which has colorbond and insulation integrated in the one sheet.
For a floor:
Australian timber with Polyair under it - never use overseas timber, especially from Malaysia and Indonesia – it is being logged in a massive crime against the rainforests, local people and ecology of those countries – information is in my book, Sustainable Food and in other blogs on my site, www.sustainablehouse.com….au
Unless the climate freezes there is no need for thick insulation; pink batts are a waste of time and money in most of Australia – a sheet of Polyair works well in winter and summer and has long term efficiency whilst batts decline in efficiency.
For a bathroom floor:
Slatted timber floor with tray below acting as floor waste for whole space will be warm in winter and cool in summer – just hose it down to clean; don’t use tiles as they consume large amounts of energy to make and lay and cause significant building site waste; examples of sustainable bathrooms are on my site: the photo above is from there, too:
Go to,
M
What a lovely home Mike,
That is an interesting and practical application of the insulated roofing panel, it certainly saves cost having to install a bulk form or loose insulation between any ceiling cavity. I bet this style of construction also saved a heap a time. Lovely home.