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The building industry in NZ is on the cusp of change. Awareness of the need for better quality houses and the need to respond to climate change has led the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to announce changes to help NZ design and build warmer, more energy-efficient homes. These proposed changes include an increase in the minimum insulation requirements.
Eurothane GP PIR boards, supplied by The Alternative Energy Company, are designed to be incorporated into the fabric of the building. They are suitable for floor, walls or roof. The dimensions of all the boards are 1200 x 2400mm but they are available in a range of thicknesses. They have excellent R-values that are significantly higher than traditional insulation materials. For example, using the 90mm PIR Eurothane board provides an R value of 4.05, approximately twice that of standard batts. The thicknesses available go from 25mm up to 120mm thick — which has an R value of 5.45.
Using Eurothane PIR has numerous other advantages: it is water resistant, does not sag, and maintains its insulating performance over time. It is safe with electrical cabling and is vermin resistant.
PIR boards are designed to be used over the framework and sealed where the boards abut each other with special tape to create a complete unbroken thermal envelope. In NZ, where we have traditionally used insulation between the framework, PIR is still able to be used because it can be cut easily, and press fitted between studs etc. Some customers are using PIR both between and over framework. Because it is available in a range of thicknesses there are many possible solutions.
The Alternative Energy Company have supplied Eurothane PIR at Scott Base because of its superior insulation performance.