Polymax - Polyester Roof and Ceiling Insulation Batts | ecoMaster - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What type of insulation is best for ceilings?
A: There are several different types of ceiling insulation - ranging from more temporary measures right through to very long lasting products.

At ecoMaster we built our own heat chamber and hired a cool room so we could empirically test all types of insulation available. ecoMaster recommends 100% polyester. It is selected based on its exceptional quality and long-term effectiveness. We’ve returned to ceilings more than ten years after polyester batts were installed to find that they are still thick, robust and with no evidence of rodent damage.

Time and time again polyester proves to be extremely high-performance, low allergenic, and moisture and rodent resistant. Most importantly, it maintains its thickness for the lifetime of your home, which is what makes it so good at protecting your home.

Q: What R value is needed for ceiling insulation?
A: The performance of insulation is measured in terms of R Value, which stands for ‘Resistance Value’. The Building Code of Australia requires a minimum value for new homes of R3.5 in the Melbourne area and R4.3 in colder areas of Victoria (excluding plasterboard rated at R0.7).

Follow this guide to determine whether or not your home is properly protected.

Our polyester insulation batts are fitted in between your ceiling joists enabling complete coverage for optimal effectiveness.

Q: Do ceilings need to be insulated?
A: Yes! Without effective ceiling insulation your home cannot possibly protect you from extremes of temperature. Up to 45% of your home's heat leaves via your ceiling. The single most effective form of home insulation you can have is ceiling insulation. Ceiling Insulation is the most important insulation you can install in your home. Without it your home simply can’t be energy efficient.

Ceiling insulation works by reducing the flow of heat through the ceiling of your home. During hot summer days the temperature in the attic (the space between the ceiling and the roof) can easily be as hot as a sauna. Ceiling insulation places a protective layer between you and the heat in your attic. It makes it much more difficult for this heat to travel through the ceiling and into your rooms, keeping your home much cooler.

Likewise, in the winter time, the warmest air in your home rises to the ceiling. Ceiling insulation makes it much more difficult for the heat in that warm air to pass through into the cold attic. This means your heating stays in your home longer making your home warmer and greatly reducing your heating requirements.

And did you know that a tiny 5% gap in your ceiling insulation reduces the effectiveness of your insulation by 50%! So not only is it important to have ceiling insulation, it is important that it is very well installed, with no gaps!

Q: How much ceiling insulation do I need?
A: Often we find that, while many homeowners agree that insulation is important and they assume that they have some level of insulation in their ceiling, we rarely meet people who know exactly how much insulation they have overhead.

As you know, heat rises. This means in the winter, an uninsulated ceiling will let your expensive heating escape up through the ceiling. No matter how much you turn up your heater, you’ll be struggling to keep warm and the only thing going up will be your bills!

In summertime, the radiant heat from outside becomes trapped in your roof space, letting the severe outdoor temperatures push down into your home. If you have an air conditioner, it will be working hard trying to cancel out this heat; costing you a fortune and not really cooling down the house at all.

The level of insulation you need to depend upon the level of cover you already have, the zone you live in, and how comfortable you wish to be.

For the Melbourne and Sydney area the Building Code of Australia 2012 specifies a ceiling insulation cover minimum R-value of R4.6 through to R5.1 depending on the type of roof. In colder areas R6.3 is the minimum level specified. An important distinction needs to be made between ‘minimum’ and ‘best practice’.

Generally in business a ‘best practice’ view is taken towards attaining the best possible results. However, the building industry focuses on ‘minimum standards’. Invariably today’s minimum standard is tomorrow’s inadequacy. This is because over time, minimum standards are increased and this leaves the homes that only just met minimum standards well behind.

Q: What do I do about halogen downlights in my ceiling?
A: If your home is fitted with halogen down-lights, it is best to replace them prior to installing ceiling insulation so that the best possible ceiling coverage can be achieved. Aside from the fire risk and draught concerns associated with down-lights, LED downlights that are IC4 (IC standing for Insulation Contact) rated can be insulated over the top. Refer to Rule 4.5.2.3 of Australian Standard AS:NZ 3000.

Q: Can you lay insulation on top of old insulation?
A: If you have existing ceiling insulation, rest assured that it can remain in place. You should level out any existing loose-fill insulation, or fill in any gaps in your existing batts, before topping up with our high quality product to ensure the best thermal protection for your home.

Q: Does it have a warranty?
A: Polymax Insulation carries a manufacturers warranty of 70 years (Terms and Conditions apply). You will need to retain the information displayed on the label on the outside of each pack. Namely the batch number to exercise any possible claim.

Q: Can I return insulation?
A: No, all Polymax insulation is a made to order product and cannot be returned under any circumstances unless it is a warranty claim as described in the warranties terms and conditions

Didn’t find your answer? Call us on 1300 326 627, or email us at sales@ecoMaster.com.au

Please Note: (Exchanges/Returns Policy)

Happy Customer

I recently traced the significant draughtiness of an open plan space to some 20 year old double-hung sash windows, which although fitted with brush seals, were missing any meeting rail seals. There were twelve of these, so quite a gap in aggregate. But how to rectify? Inspecting showed that there should have been seals fitted into pre-cut kerfs; and further evidence were some scraps of silicone seal found in a corner cupboard.
After a bout of googling, I found a Raven product that was suitable — only catch was that it was not stocked at retail hardware outlets, and worse it came in 100m rolls which would mean 80% wastage at $3 per meter: ouch!
So I took a chance and asked ecoMaster for advice. Problem solved: they had the seal in the desired colour, and happy to sell just the amount i needed. Perfect!

Hi Peter,

Thank you so much for trusting us, we can't wait to help you again in the future!

Great for reducing glare

I used Renshade on the west-facing double glass door to my shed, where I work inside at a computer. I found it successful and as advertised in greatly reducing radiant heat and glare. It's no miracle cure for a lack of insulation, but nor does it claim to be. I was surprised to find that the product feels more like thick paper than like metal. I was expecting a more heavy-duty product. On day two after installation, one of my cats shredded it to pieces and I had to replace it. Luckily, I had some spare, and now I place a barrier in front of it at night when the cats are trying to get outside. On cloudy and rainy days it can feel a little oppressive, but on sunny days it is well worthwhile. It's much more relaxing working without the glare, and I like its veiled see-through quality.

Hi KB,

We are so pleased to hear that you are satisfied with how Renshade is performing for you. The development of Renshade has been a painstaking one and like all products it is a balance of trying to create something that is durable, still light enough to be fit for it's intended purpose and of course cost. We think we've come up with a great result.
Also, glad to hear that you had some spare after your fur baby got to it, cats are such inquisitive creatures.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and the community. We hope to be able to serve you again in the future!

Cooling plastic sheeted gable patio roof

After researching ways of reducing the greenhouse effect heat from the plastic sheeted gable patio roof at my daughter's house in Aspendale Gardens, I recommended Renshade. I made up 18 Renshade screens as per the Renshade video and fitted them under the plastic sheets. Results were immediate cooling under the gable patio! Mind you if the ambiant temperature reaches into the high 30s and low 40s it will still probably be uncomfortably hot under the patio. But all in all the Renshade has been a success especially with the patio fan assisting. Cost about $1000 for all materials but grandad's labour cost was zilch!

Hi Rolf,

Making 18 screens from the 5 Renshade rolls you purchased is awesome! We're chuffed to hear that our product had an immediate cooling affect. Days outside under the patio will now be so much more enjoyable!
Thanks for sharing your feedback. Have a great day!

Draftbusta

I purchased this product from a hardware store about 10 years ago, and it is great. What isn't great is the stores now don't stock it, so I ordered it direct from the company. A companythat promotes itself to be all about saving the environment, but packed the small cover in a box twice it's size, adding insulation that I didn't order, burning up the carbon miles with wasted packaging, and charging almost the same price as the product to post the oversized parcel. I'm glad I don't need another one, as I wouldn't be fooled twice to order one again.

Hello Brett

Thanks for sharing your feedback.
The DraftStoppa is an excellent device for sealing the draughts from your bathroom/ensuite/toilet areas. This is reflected in the numerous positive customer reviews about the product displayed on our website.
Unfortunately, Draft Stoppas can be very easily damaged during the freighting process. A damaged/ non functioning DraftStoppa saves zero energy. So yes, it is a balance between a well padded unit versus a lightly packed but broken one.
We have found that the safest way to avoid damage is to pack the DraftStoppa into a cardboard box and surround it with insulation as padding. This avoids damage during shipping especially when it is travelling interstate.
The insulation can be popped into your roof space if you wish and we will add that the insulation itself is made from 80% recycled PET bottles. The cardboard boxes (also made from recycled materials) can simply be broken down and added to your fortnightly recycling bin.
All freight charge rates are transparent on the store prior to completing your order.

If you have any further feedback, especially about how the draftstoppa is performing we encourage you to give us a call on 1300 326 627. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly.

Valvecosy improvements

I ordered a Valvecosy from the EcoMaster and it came promptly in the mail. Only one colour was available: Dune. Same colour as my house. Lucky!
The device was easy to attach to the TPR valve on my HWS but seems a bit loose-fitting around the connection from the HWS. Perhaps some different sized foam inserts included in the pack would give it a better fit to different installations.
The two halves come completely apart which makes it easy to fit but it might be even easier if the halves were hinged in a clamshell arrangement (not so easy to drop one half).
I found the copper pipe draining my TPR valve also stays warm so it is obviously losing energy too and I have covered it in foam lagging. It might be helpful to offer this in a "Customers who bought Valvecosy also bought ..." type offer.
I have a heat pump HWS running off solar energy so the energy I save only costs me the Feed In Tariff. On this basis it might take me fifty years to re-coup my outlay. If I could pick up a Valvecosy in a hardware store for $10 it would be a no-brainer. Give one to each family member. But for $28 plus $11 shipping it's a feel-good indulgence.
Valvecosy is a great idea. It’s just too expensive.

Hi Nigel

Thank you for sharing your review.
So awesome to hear that the colour matched your home too!
We appreciate your comments and will certainly pass on your suggested improvements to the manufacturer.

Valvecosy was tested in 2019 to determine heat loss. The percentage of improvement of heat loss due to Valvecosy was 5.6%.
A 5.6% savings on the energy loss from the tank would pay back that investment faster than one might anticipate.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Have a great day!

Polymax - Polyester Roof and Ceiling Insulation Batts | ecoMaster - FAQ

Let customers speak for us