Insulation for Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Homes

Creating a home for his family that was healthy, comfortable and warm all year round was top of mind when Hamish sat down with First Light Studio, to discuss the requirements for his dream house in Matakana, North of Auckland. Hamish sought an energy-efficient solution that would minimise the ecological footprint and save money.

Right from the outset of the design process, there was a huge focus on building performance through insulation. When discussing the required R-values of the insulation, the architects at First Light Studio found that Pink Batts glass wool insulation fitted perfectly with their insulation needs. The new Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) by Pink Batts further guaranteed that they were doing right by the environment with their insulation choice.

The temperature was not the only important thing to consider when insulating the house. Internally, the acoustics were also a huge factor in the choice. All the internal walls had Pink Batts Silencer 100mm installed, while in the floors between the levels, two layers of Pink Batts Silencer Midfloor was used. In the external walls the team chose to exceed the New Zealand Building Code recommendation of using R2.2 insulation and instead went with Pink Batts Ultra R4 plus an Intello membrane, which were installed on the first visit and then returning a second time to further their efforts by adding Pink Batts Masonry R1.2, providing the exterior with a total of 190mm of insulation.

The exterior walls weren’t the only parts of the house where the designers exceeded the NZBC expectations for compliance. Compliance for the ceiling according to NZBC is an R-value of around R3.2. Hamish and First Light Studios decided to use Pink Batts Ultra R6.0 ceiling insulation.

“The fact the Pink Batts insulation is made from over 80% recycled window glass, made it an easy decision when thinking of insulation that aligned with the values of an eco-friendly home."

The criteria for the build was set in line with targets for optimum health performance. These related to:

Energy targets
CO2 levels
Humidity
Temperature

As such, there was no cap on investment per square metre. The aim was to build as high performing as possible yet as compact as possible, form was to follow function. The result was a house that is high functioning yet very beautiful.

Pink Batts Ultra Wall Insulation - 140mm

Comfortech Building Performance Solutions

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Pink Batts wall insulation is light-weight, flexible, glass wool insulation designed to thermally insulate timber framed walls.

Pink Batts insulation has been appraised as a thermal insulation material for walls, ceilings, and roofs of buildings within the following scope:

framed or part-framed domestic and commercial buildings where the insulation remains dry during its serviceable life

In the opinion of BRANZ, Pink Batts insulation, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of Appraisal No. 238 (2012), will meet or contribute to meeting the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1(a) not less than 50 years and B2.3.1(b) 15 years. Pink Batts insulation insulation will meet this requirement.
Clause E3 INTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E3.3.1. Pink Batts insulation insulation will contribute to meeting this requirement.
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1. Pink Batts insulation insulation meets this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.
Clause H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Performance H1.3.1(a) and H1.3.2 E. Pink Batts insulation will contribute to meeting these requirements.

Pink Batts has been appraised as an Acceptable Solution in terms of New Zealand Building Code Compliance. Pink Batts insulation thermal resistance (R-Value) has been determined by AS/NZS 4859.1 which is an acceptable method.

BRANZ Appraised

Pink Batts Ultra Ceiling Insulation

Comfortech Building Performance Solutions

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Pink Batts ceiling insulation is a light-weight, flexible glass wool insulation that thermally insulates ceilings in new homes, can be fitted into existing homes with no insulation or laid over existing insulation.

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Pink Batts insulation has been appraised as a thermal insulation material for walls, ceilings, and roofs of buildings within the following scope:

Framed or part-framed domestic and commercial buildings where the insulation remains dry during its serviceable life

Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(a) not less than 50 years and B2.3.1(b) 15 years; Pink Batts insulation insulation will meet this requirement.
Clause E3 Internal Moisture: Performance E3.3.1; Pink Batts insulation insulation will contribute to meeting this requirement.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1; Pink Batts insulation insulation meets this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: Performance H1.3.1(a) and H1.3.2 E; Pink Batts insulation will contribute to meeting these requirements.

Pink Batts has been appraised as an acceptable solution in terms of New Zealand Building Code Compliance. Pink Batts insulation thermal resistance (R-Value) has been determined by AS/NZS 4859.1 which is an acceptable method.

BRANZ Appraised

Pink Batts Masonry Wall Insulation

Comfortech Building Performance Solutions

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Pink Batts wall insulation is lightweight, flexible, glass wool insulation designed to thermally insulate timber and steel‐framed walls.

Pink Batts insulation has been appraised as a thermal insulation material for walls, ceilings, and roofs of buildings within the following scope:

framed or part-framed domestic and commercial buildings where the insulation remains dry during its serviceable life

Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1(a) not less than 50 years and B2.3.1(b) 15 years. Pink Batts insulation insulation will meet this requirement.
Clause E3 INTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E3.3.1. Pink Batts insulation insulation will contribute to meeting this requirement.
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1. Pink Batts insulation insulation meets this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.
Clause H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Performance H1.3.1(a) and H1.3.2 E. Pink Batts insulation will contribute to meeting these requirements.

BRANZ Appraised

Pink Batts Silencer Acoustic Insulation

Comfortech Building Performance Solutions

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Pink Batts Silencer is glass wool insulation designed to reduce sound travelling between internal walls and midfloors.

Pink Batts Silencer insulation is a lightweight flexible glass wool insulation product designed to provide acoustic insulation in internal walls and midfloors.

It fits easily into standard constructions, or can be easily cut to fit in non-standard constructions.

Pink Batts insulation when used, installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements outlined by the manufacturer, will meet or contribute to meeting the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B2 Durability: Meets the requirement NZBC B2.3.1 a) 50 years and NZBC B2.3.1 b) 15 years
Clause E3 Internal Moisture: Contributes to meeting these requirements
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Meets this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: Contributes to meeting this requirement

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