Roof insulation.

duderoo

duderoo

Expert Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
3,421
Reaction score
250
Location
Earth
Any recommendations on roof insualtion. I have heard the think pink stuff ain't that great and I was keen on going for that paper mulch stuff?
 
The pink stuff is great.. works like a bomb.. but its bad, asbestos and all that and itches like fsck...
 
Well "Think Pink" has made a diffrence but someone told me it attracts Rats. Ever since we installed think pink. It actually happen Rats are now on the roof.....


Yeah it does itche like hell. I got <deleted by='ic' reason='slur'/> to do the job for me for R550 including the electric fencing and to install think pink :))))))))


Oh buy "Think Pink" at Builders warehouse they are the chepist place. To find it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Aerolite used to be asbestos based... (at least the rubbish i have in my roof is).. new stuff prob not so much anymore....
 
The pink stuff is great if it is anything like the insulation we used to lay in the states. Just wear gloves, a mask and some goggles - that fiber-glass itches like a beatch.
 
duderoo said:
I was keen on going for that paper mulch stuff?
Click to expand...

I've also had this decision to make a little while ago and decided on the paper type stuff - firstly it is super easy for the gyus to install (just a big vacumn cleaner type thing) and secondly it was almost the same price as think pink.

The big decider in it's favour was, that if I want to install new lighting or do wiring in the roof, all you have to do is scoop the stuff away and you have access to the ceiling boards. With the think pink stuff you'd have to remove / cut / roll away sections of it. My one worry was the wind and what it would do to the light paper, but I live in Gordons Bay and we regularly have winds that move dustbins (and sometimes small cars) - and so far it looks fine still - a little fluff initially fell through where the downlighters were but that cleared up in the first few days - I assume it was just settling.

- my 2c.
 
bwana : its almost precisely the same stuff...

Just lay it down in the ceiling and it makes SUCH a difference inside the house...
 
Isotherm ... looking at probably around R30/m2 ... don't know how that compares with Aerolite ... had it in my old house ... warm in winter, cool in summer
 
I have been reading about aerolite and this cellulose paper stuff and it seems that the cellulose is greener to manufacture, and there is the risk, even slight, of fibres for one's self, but maybe the cellulose is the way to go.

There was a company who was at home-makers expo but cannot remember who they were?
 
With Think Pink make sure you get the THICKEST possible, which if I'm not mistaken is 10cm. With the cold weather we have been having in Bfn, there is on average a 12-15 degree difference between inside and outside. In summer I have recorded a 10 degree difference between the inside and outside. You have to "manage" the house to get it like that; in summer the windows stays open until about 9am and then the house get locked down - keeps the cool air inside.

Problem with the cellulose paper stuff is that should you have a leaking roof it quickly turns into one huge HEAVY piece of paper goo that drops a ceiling in no time - or so I've heard
 
Last edited:
the cellulose seems to have a better insulation (R-Value than anything else)
 
I'm with Landy here. Isotherm for the win. None of these itchy stuff, and much easier to find a few dead rats under :D My only problem is getting rid of the ancient itchy stuff still on my ceiling ............
 
Don't know about Cpt, but here in Jozi there is a co. called IRC. They had a special about 3 months ago where the 50mm, 75mm & 100mm went for the same price. They also insulate your geyser (can set it down by approx 5-10 degr) and pipework @ no additional costs.

Did my top floor (appr 60 sq metre) with the 100mm earolite for R1750 installed. Took them approx 45mins.

What a difference, summer and now!!!

O yes, their tel. (011)7915477/2300 if interested
 
O Yes they changed the things it is made from. Not so itchy anymore and birds hate the new thing. Don't know about rats however. No problems so far, touch wood!
 
We only use Isotherm when we do new unit isolation. You get it in different thicknesses, easy to install too. Think Pink is an outmoded, outdated product.

PS. Be carefull when installing isotherm over any transformer (for downlighters etc). The transformer will overheat and die. Best to cut a hole in the fabric at such places.
 
Normally the paper type is chemically treated to be flame retardant. However, I guess that would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Another alternative not mentioned here is vermiculite. For those that do not know it, it reminds you of those tiny polystyrene cells your get when you break polystyrene apart. You can compress the granules between your fingers, but they jump back to their form after releasing the tension. It is some form of rock, believe it or not. You also find it in pot plants as a natural sponge, mixed with the soil. It kind of reminds you of layered mica based on it's metallic look, but it is not. 100% fire proof. Environmental friendly. Price: unknown.

Party trick: Pick up a big big bag of the stuff, 3 x times the size of a cement bag, with one finger :D
 
Last edited:
I installed thinkpink a long long time ago. it's fibre glass and does itch like hell!! but my house temp stays 20 deg C +- 2 . if you have it installed and i recommend that you do, lag your cylinder as well
 
Why is itching a problem for people? Once it is installed (the installer itches but thats what he get paid for) and if you don't go rolling in it you will NEVER experience the itching. I go up to the attic area ALOT as I constantly improve my LAN cabling and I have NEVER itched from it.

From their respective websites:
The R-value for 100mm Think Pink is 2.5
The R-value for 100mm Isotherm is 2.2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X