Do It Yourself Insulation
We've put together some simple instructions on how to do the job right, no matter where your insulation needs to be installed. We also offer DIY kits pre-packaged which has everything you need to get started.
But don't worry, if you think that the job is more than you handle, you will find that a Eureka Insulation contractor do the job for you at a very cost-effective price.
Just call Eureka Insulation on 1800 626 624 now.
DIY Ceiling
What You'll Need
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Stepladder
Torch or lamp
Kneeling board
Batt poker
What To Wear
Loose fitting, long sleeve clothing
Standard duty gloves (AS2161)
Cap
Dusk mask (if the ceiling is poorly ventilated or dusty)
Basic Rules
Take enough packs into the roof for the whole job
Install 430mm batts for 450mm joist centres and 580mm batts for 600mm joist centres. If you are unsure, 430mm segments are perforated in the centre. Simply tear along the perforation to suit 580mm joist centres.
When cutting is required, maintain at least 10mm oversize to ensure a tight fit.
Stand on ceiling joists only
Ensure kneeling board is positioned over at least two ceiling joists
Start laying batts at the farthest point from the manhole
Insulation should be cut back around ventilation apertures, exhaust flutes and similar penetrations to allow a minimum clearance of 25mm. Do not cover downlight transformers with insulation.
Insulation should be installed such that it is free to recover its natural thickness without folds, tucks or creases.
Installation
Lay batts between ceiling joists using the batt poker to push them into limited access areas
Fit batts tightly between joists, making sure not to place pressure in the centre of the batt.
Do not leave any gaps between batts.
Push batts so that they sit on top pf the wall plate, avoiding intrusion into the wall cavity.
DIY Internal Walls
What You'll Need
Sharp knife
Cutting board
What To Wear
Loose fitting, long sleeve clothing
Standard duty gloves (AS2161)
Cap
Dusk mask (if the area is poorly ventilated or dusty)
Basic Rules
·Install Noise Control Batt Batts in internal walls as they have superior acoustic insulation properties
·Depending on the location of noggings, one batt should be shortened to fit
·Batts can be cut to fit in odd spaces or around pipes and wires but each should be a tight friction fit
Installation
Press Noise Control Batts into place between studs
Ensure that the insulation fits flush with the face of the studs
DIY Under Floors
What You'll Need
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Polypropylene string
Staples (staple gun)
Spotfix fasteners (for under exposed floors)
Torch or lamp
Stepladder – if installing under 2nd storey floor
What To Wear
Loose fitting, long sleeve clothing
Standard duty gloves (AS2161)
Cap
Dusk mask (if the area is poorly ventilated or dusty)
Basic Rules
The insulation must be dry when installed and kept dry
Under exposed timber floors, use only Breather Foil or Noise Control Batt Wall and Floor batts as these are stiffened and water repellent specifically or use under exposed floors, ceiling batts are not
For standard spacings of 450mm centers fit 430mm Wall and Floor batts between joists
For 600mm centers fit 580mm Wall and Floor batts between joists
Under second storey floors use Noise Control Batt as these give superior acoustic insulation
We recommend the inclusion of Breather Foil as a lining when insulating under exposed timer floors
Installation
Leave an air space of approximately 25mm between the floor and the insulation batt, except at the outer perimeter where the end batts should be firm against the floor to minimize heat and sound loss/gain through this gap
Fit batts tightly between joists but do not compress batts
Hold batts in place with a zig-zag pattern of polypropylene string between floor joists
When insulation under exposed timber floors, fix Breather Foil to the underside of the floor joists with Spotfix fasteners, overlapping each strip of foil slightly
When insulating under 2nd storey floors, fix ceiling lining as normal
Ceiling Loading for High Performance Batts
Segments should be installed in such a way as to avoid exceeding the ceiling lining manufacturers maximum recommended loading. Check manufacturers specifications for permissible ceiling loading rates.
If in doubt:
For joist spacing less than the batt width, fit batts between joists and press down gently at edges ensuring that the bottom of the segment does not make contact with the ceiling. Avoid placing pressure in the centre of the batt.
If the joist spacing does not a tight fit, support the insulation by stapling polypropylene tape to the timber joists across the underside of the segment. Ensure any gaps are filled with insulation.
DIY External Walls
What You'll Need
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Polypropylene string
Staples (staple gun)
What To Wear
Loose fitting, long sleeve clothing
Standard duty gloves (AS2161)
Cap
Dusk mask (if the area is poorly ventilated or dusty)
Basic Rules
Before starting, clean off all excess mortar from brickwork and studwork
For standard spacings of 450mm centers fit 430mm wall batts
For 600mm centers fit 580mm wall batts between wall studs
For other stud spaces, batts should be cut 5-10mm oversize to ensure a tight friction fit
Use only wall batts, Noise Control Wall and Floor batts or Noise Control Wall batts are stiffened and water repellent specifically or use in walls, ceiling batts are not
Depending on the location of noggings, one batt should be shortened to fit
Wrapping timber frames with Breather Foil provides additional insulation and an effective moisture barrier
Installation
Stringing is recommended when installing Wall and Floor batts to ensure the batts cannot bridge the cavity
Start at the underside of the top plate 75mm in from the vertical stud
Staple polypropylene string to the underside of the top plate as far back as the thickness of the batts
Drop the string to the top of the noggin, tensioning before stapling
Run the string towards you and turn it to the underside of the noggin and staple
Drop the string to the bottom plate, tensioning before stapling
