INSULATION! Help!

[Mum2SweetCs]

Hi All,

Okay so ive decided to take up on the govt's offer of the free insulation for our fibro house.

I went to the local shopping centre and they had someone there advertising it.

The girl was showing me different tips of foam things. Now, i really dont know SQUAT about insulation! nor which batt is the best.

I am worried that these companies are going to do dodgy and put like mega crappy (asbestos filled) ones in my house.

So does anyone have any idea which brand causes least irritation?

HELP PLZ!

Thanks!

[FabFiona]

I'm not sure about which type of insulation is best, so can't help there. However I would recommend talking to the tradies that will come around to measure up your house - chances are they will know more than the sales staff that are hired for these promotions.

However just wanted to caution about taking up offers that are advertised. You need to be sure you are using a provider that is registered with the Federal Government. This is for a few reasons:

1. Fed Govt pays registered providers directly - if you use someone that is not registered you can't claim the $$ back
2. Fed Govt registered providers have signed an agreement among many things, not to rip the Govt off.

You can call the Fed Govt hotline on 1800 808 571 to double check that the people you are going with are registered and if they are not, get the details of others that service your area.

[Amaunet]

I'd personally go with a company who was installing insulation BEFORE this free deal 'cos then you know they are a company who specialises in this rather than some dodgy taking advantage of this situation/offer IYKWIM. You should also be able to get "name brand" insulation ie Bradford or Pink Batts etc so you know you are getting a quality product.

We got insulation 6months before this offer but did get a partial rebate - we used the yellow pages to find a company.

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks for the tip!

I read their broucher and it says they have been doing it for over 50yrs? But their company name is "Tom Kat"

Sounds a bit suss to me with that kinda name! LOL i might have to ring up the hotline as fiona suggested.

[Malyna]

Fibreglass ones cause a lot of irritation because of the fibreglass particles. There are loads of different types of insulation. We have a fibro house and got pinkbats. The thicker the bat the higher the insulation rating BUT this only works IF you don't squash the bat down. It is the airgaps that insulate. I think in our 1950's house we got R4.0 in the walls.

There is a website with insulation types on it. Do a google search for yourhome and insulation and it shoudl bring it up.

[entreat]

We got the recycled paper stuff. I think it's tops! Especially as it was free! (thanks gov.)

[berrme]

There aren't any asbestos ones, but the batts are generally fibreglass. This can be very nasty during installation and if anything needs to be moved around in the ceiling. The batts also come in a pecific shape so don't fit in the cieling quite so well... you get gaps.

We also got the recycled paper stuff. We were home while they installed it. Quick, easy and clean. It also fills all the gaps so you get better insulation. (that is the theory anyway).

You have to get 2 quotes so get a couple of installers around and let them give you the speel. I thought it was a no brainer after getting the quotes. Look for companies that say 'natural' and have been around for a while.