Author: EMD Agency

Does Your Home Struggle with Dampness? How Insulation Can Help a Damp House

Written by EMD Agency on July 3, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

If you have noticed condensation on your windows, a persistent musty smell, or mould creeping along the corners of your ceilings, you are likely dealing with a damp house. Dampness is one of the most common and most damaging issues faced by homeowners across New Zealand. Left untreated, it can compromise the structural integrity of your property, negatively impact indoor air quality, and pose serious health risks to your family. The good news is that understanding what causes dampness is the first step toward solving it and insulation plays a far greater role in the solution than many people realise.

Common Causes of Dampness in the Home

Dampness can come from several different sources, and in many homes more than one issue may be contributing to the problem.

Condensation

Condensation is the most common cause of dampness in New Zealand homes. It happens when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as windows, walls, and ceilings. The moisture in the air turns into water droplets, which can lead to mould growth, musty smells, and damage to paint and furnishings.

Poor Ventilation

Everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes indoors, and even breathing add moisture to the air. If this moisture cannot escape, humidity levels rise and condensation becomes more likely. Homes with limited airflow often experience ongoing dampness issues.

Inadequate Insulation

Poor insulation allows heat to escape, leaving walls and ceilings cold during winter. These cold surfaces attract moisture from the warm air inside the home, increasing the risk of condensation. Homes with little or no insulation are often harder to heat and more prone to dampness and mould.

Moisture from Under the House

Many older homes have exposed soil beneath the floor. Moisture from the ground can rise into the subfloor area and eventually make its way into the home. This can create a damp environment, particularly during winter and in areas with poor airflow under the house.

Water Getting in from Outside

Leaks from roofs, damaged cladding, blocked gutters, cracked walls, or poorly sealed windows can allow water to enter the home. If left untreated, these issues can cause persistent damp patches, staining, and structural damage.

The Hidden Health Risks of a Damp House

Living in a damp house is not simply uncomfortable, it can be genuinely harmful to your health. Mould produces microscopic spores that, when inhaled, can trigger or worsen a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma, allergies, and bronchitis. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable. Beyond respiratory issues, prolonged exposure to damp environments has been linked to fatigue, skin irritation, and a weakened immune response. Addressing dampness is not just about protecting your property, it is about protecting the people who live in it.

How Insulation Helps Combat Dampness and Mould

This is where insulation becomes a genuinely transformative solution for a damp house. Many homeowners associate insulation purely with energy efficiency and reducing heating bills, but its role in managing moisture and preventing dampness is equally significant.

When your home is properly insulated, the internal surfaces of your walls, ceilings, and floors remain warmer. Warmer surfaces are far less likely to attract condensation, because the temperature difference between the warm air inside and the cold surface is greatly reduced. In practical terms, this means less moisture depositing on your walls and ceilings, fewer conditions for mould to grow, and a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment.

Here is how specific types of insulation can make a difference:

Cavity Wall Insulation: Filling the cavity between your inner and outer walls with insulating material dramatically reduces heat loss through the walls. This keeps internal wall surfaces warmer and significantly reduces the risk of condensation forming on them.
External Wall Insulation: Applied to the outside of the property, this type of insulation wraps the building in a thermal layer, keeping the entire wall structure warmer and eliminating cold spots that attract moisture.
Attic and Roof Insulation: Heat rises, and without adequate loft insulation, a significant amount of your home’s warmth escapes through the roof. Insulating the roof helps maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the home, reducing the likelihood of cold spots that lead to condensation and damp.
Floor Insulation: Cold floors can also contribute to a damp atmosphere, particularly in older properties with suspended timber floors. Insulating beneath the floor helps retain warmth and reduces cold surface temperatures.

Take the First Step Towards a Warmer, Drier Home

At Insultech, we understand how disruptive and distressing a damp house can be. Our team of experienced insulation specialists is here to help you identify the right insulation solution for your home, whether that is cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, roof insulation, or a combination of approaches tailored to your specific needs.

Do not let dampness and mould continue to affect your home and your health. Contact Insultech today for a free, no-obligation quote and take the first step towards a warmer, drier, and healthier home. Our experts will assess your property, explain your options clearly, and help you find the most effective and cost-efficient path forward. Your home deserves better and so does your family.

CosyWall Reviews and Why it is the Best Retrofit Insulation for your Existing Walls

Written by EMD Agency on May 25, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

Many older homes were built with little or no wall insulation. This can make them harder to heat in winter, hotter in summer, and less comfortable throughout the year. CosyWall insulation offers a practical way to insulate existing walls without removing the internal linings of your home.

What is CosyWall insulation

CosyWall is a dry fibre glass wool insulation system designed for existing wall cavities. It is blown into the walls through small holes, either from the inside or outside of the home. Once the insulation is installed, the holes are repaired, patched, and made ready for painting.

CosyWall is designed as a high performance wall insulation product. It fills the wall cavity properly and helps reduce heat loss through the walls. This helps keep indoor temperatures more stable, making your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

CosyWall is CodeMark certified and comes with a 50 year guarantee. This means the system has been assessed and meets New Zealand building code requirements. It also shows that the insulation is built to last and perform well over time.

This certification gives homeowners peace of mind. It confirms that CosyWall is a durable, long lasting, and quality insulation system. When choosing insulation for your existing walls, it is important to know the product has been tested and approved for use in New Zealand conditions.

Why CosyWall works well in existing homes

Walls are a major part of your home’s insulation system. If your ceiling and underfloor areas are insulated but your walls are empty, your home can still lose heat quickly.

CosyWall helps slow down heat loss, making your home easier to keep warm in winter and cooler in summer. It can also help reduce outside noise, which is useful for homes near roads, neighbours, or busy areas.

At Insultech, our wall insulation process starts with an assessment. We prepare the walls, drill small access holes, blow the insulation into the cavities, then repair the holes so the area is ready for repainting.

CosyWall reviews:

Don’t just trust our thoughts on CosyWall, see what our clients are saying after they have had CosyWall installed in their home:

Amber N

“Highly recommend Francois and the team. We have had them in twice now. We decided to do half the house first and found it made a big difference so got the rest done. The team are very professional, friendly and efficient. Francois even helped us with a different issue we had with our wall, and we are happy with the whole service.”

Matt Jenkins

“Francois and his team provide an excellent service from start to finish. They arrived promptly and worked hard to get our villa fully insulated in good time. The paint job afterwards was flawless; you cannot tell there has been any work done. The insulation itself is very high quality, and we noticed a huge difference from day one. I strongly recommend using this company.”

Mac Lewis

“Francois and the team did a great job insulating our 100 sqm place including all exterior walls and interior walls of the master bedroom. The best price we found, good comms, very accommodating and great quality work. It was very quick as well, getting the whole job finished in a day including plastering and clean up. Would 100% recommend if you are looking for retrofit blown insulation. 10/10!”

These CosyWall reviews show the main reasons homeowners choose retrofit blown wall insulation: comfort, speed, and noticeable results.

Get your walls insulated with CosyWall

If your home feels cold, draughty, or hard to heat, your walls may be part of the problem. CosyWall insulation is a practical way to improve comfort in an existing home without major building work.

Get your walls insulated with CosyWall today and see the difference. Contact the Insultech team to book a quote:

Ceiling Insulation: How to Tell if You Need an Insulation Top-Up

Written by EMD Agency on May 21, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

Proper ceiling insulation is one of the most critical investments you can make for your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. With rising energy costs, ensuring your home is adequately insulated has never been more important. Many homeowners are unaware that their existing insulation may be underperforming. Leading to significant heat loss and higher heating bills throughout the colder months.

Why is Ceiling Insulation Important?

Research conducted by BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) shows that 30 to 35 percent of a homes heat can escape through an uninsulated roof. Making it the single largest area of heat loss in your home if it isn’t properly insulated.

This significant heat loss translates directly into higher energy bills and reduced comfort levels throughout your home. During winter months, inadequate ceiling insulation forces your heating system to work overtime, consuming more energy to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Effective ceiling insulation acts as a thermal barrier, preventing warm air from escaping through your roof cavity while keeping cold air from penetrating your living spaces. This thermal protection ensures consistent indoor temperatures year-round, reducing the workload on your heating and cooling systems.

How to Tell If Your Ceiling Insulation Needs a Top-Up

Several indicators suggest your home may require a ceiling insulation top-up or complete replacement. Common signs include:

Uneven temperatures throughout different rooms in your home
Higher than expected heating bills
Drafts coming from ceiling areas
Excessive condensation in roof spaces

Visual inspection of your existing insulation can reveal significant problems. Look for gaps between insulation batts, missing insulation in certain areas, compressed or settled insulation materials, and uneven coverage across your ceiling space. These issues create thermal bridges that allow heat to escape, compromising your home’s overall thermal performance.

If your insulation appears thin, patchy, or has been disturbed by maintenance work or pests, it’s likely time for professional assessment and potential replacement or top-up.

Why Blown Insulation is the Superior Choice for Ceiling Applications

Blown insulation is a high-performance ceiling insulation at an affordable installed price. This innovative insulation method offers numerous advantages over traditional batt insulation, particularly in ceiling and roof cavity applications.

The versatility and effectiveness of blown insulation make it ideal for reaching and effectively insulating irregular spaces, nooks, and crannies that traditional insulation methods often miss. It’s comprehensive coverage ensures your ceiling has complete insulation protection, eliminating cold spots and significantly enhancing your home’s overall thermal performance.

Blown insulation can be customised to meet specific R-values and can be used to top up existing insulation or provide complete replacement.

Book an insulation top up with Insultech

If your ceiling insulation is old, thin, damaged, or no longer performing as it should, an insulation top up could make a big difference to the comfort of your home. At Insultech, we can assess your existing insulation, check whether it meets the right level for your home, and recommend the best solution for improving warmth and energy efficiency. Based in Hamilton and servicing the wider Waikato region. Our experienced team provides practical advice, quality insulation products, and professional installation.

Get in touch with Insultech today to book an insulation assessment and find out whether your home would benefit from a ceiling insulation top up.

Garage Insulation – Turn Your Garage into a Usable Space with Blown Insulation

Written by EMD Agency on March 30, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

Many garages in New Zealand homes have little or no insulation. They are often treated as storage areas or a place to park your car and sit outside the main thermal envelope of the house. This means they get very cold in winter and very hot in summer. The temperature inside usually follows the temperature outside.

Garage insulation can change how the space feels. With the right approach, a garage can become a more comfortable and usable part of your home.

Why install garage insulation

Garage insulation helps reduce the movement of heat between the garage and the outside. This creates a more stable temperature inside the space.

Without insulation, garages can feel damp, cold, and hard to use in winter. In summer, they can become too hot to spend time in. Insulation helps moderate these extremes, making the space more practical.

A well insulated garage can be used in many ways, such as

A home gym

A workshop

A hobby room

A home office

A play area for children

Insulation also helps protect items stored in the garage. Tools, paint, and electronics can be affected by large temperature swings. By keeping temperatures more consistent, insulation helps reduce this risk.

Start with the wall between the house and garage

The most important place to look first is the wall shared with your home. This wall plays a key role in protecting the comfort of your living spaces.

If this wall is not insulated, heat can move from your home into the garage. This can make nearby rooms colder and increase heating costs.

When we insulate this wall, we help maintain the thermal barrier of the home. This can make a noticeable difference to rooms beside or above the garage.

Insulating the ceiling and external walls

If you plan to use your garage regularly, we recommend insulating the ceiling and external walls as well.

The ceiling is a key area because heat rises. Without insulation, warmth can escape quickly through the ceiling in winter. Adding insulation above the ceiling lining helps keep heat inside the space.

It can also help protect the ceiling lining over time. Changes in temperature cause materials to expand and contract. In an uninsulated garage, this movement can loosen fixings and lead to the ceiling lining popping or sagging. Insulation helps reduce these temperature swings, which can slow this process and protect the ceiling.

External walls also play an important role. They help reduce heat entering in summer and heat escaping in winter. Insulating these areas makes the garage more comfortable and easier to use.

What about the garage door

Garage doors are often thin and allow heat to pass through easily. This can impact the overall temperature of the space.

Insulating the garage door can help improve comfort, but it should be seen as a secondary step. Walls and ceilings provide the biggest gains and should be prioritised first.

Using blown insulation for garage insulation

Blown insulation is a practical solution for garage insulation, especially in existing homes.

For garage walls, we install insulation without removing the wall linings. We drill small access holes and blow insulation into the cavity. Once complete, we seal the holes neatly. This keeps disruption low and avoids the need for relining.

Blown insulation spreads evenly through the cavity. It fills gaps and tight spaces, which helps reduce cold spots and improves overall performance.

For ceilings, blown insulation works well around trusses, wiring, and pipes. It fills uneven spaces and creates a consistent layer of insulation across the ceiling area.

We complete most garage insulation projects within a day, depending on the size and layout of the space. We contain the work to the garage, so it has little impact on the rest of your home.

Blown insulation can also help reduce sound transfer. This can be useful if you use the garage for tools, exercise, or hobbies.

Talk to Insultech about garage insulation

Every garage is different. The right approach depends on how you want to use the space and how your home is built.

At Insultech, we assess your garage and explain your options. We look at shared walls, ceilings, and external walls, then recommend the areas that will make the biggest difference.

If you are thinking about garage insulation, talk to our team about how we can help turn your garage into a more usable space.

Blown Insulation getting blown into a roof

What’s Insulation – A guide to insulation

Written by EMD Agency on March 16, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

What’s insulation and why is it important

What’s insulation? Insulation is a material used in homes to slow the movement of heat. It helps keep warmth inside during winter and slows heat entering during summer. Homes without good insulation lose heat quickly, which makes them colder and harder to heat.

Heat naturally moves from warm areas to cooler areas. In winter, heat inside your home tries to escape through the roof, walls, and floor. Insulation works by creating a barrier that slows this heat transfer.

For New Zealand homes, checking your insulation is important because many houses were built before modern insulation standards. Older homes often lose heat quickly, which can lead to cold rooms, damp conditions, and higher power bills.

Insulation helps homes stay warmer, drier, and more comfortable. It also helps heating systems work more efficiently because the heat stays inside the home for longer.

How insulation works

Insulation materials trap small pockets of air. These air pockets slow down the movement of heat. The more air pockets a material contains, the better it can resist heat flow.

Insulation performance is measured using an R value. The R value shows how well a material slows heat movement. Higher R values mean stronger thermal resistance.

Where insulation should be installed in a home

Insulation works best when it forms a continuous thermal barrier around the home. This barrier is often called a thermal envelope.

The thermal envelope includes the ceiling, walls, and floor. If one of these areas is missing insulation, heat can still escape easily.

Ceiling insulation

Ceilings are one of the most important places to insulate. Warm air rises, so heat naturally collects near the roof space. Without ceiling insulation, a large amount of heat escapes through the roof.

Good ceiling insulation slows this heat loss and helps maintain a stable indoor temperature. It is one of the most effective upgrades for improving home comfort.

Wall insulation

Walls form a large part of the thermal envelope. Many older New Zealand homes have little or no wall insulation.

Insulating walls helps reduce heat loss through the sides of the home. It also helps maintain even temperatures between rooms.

Wall insulation can be installed during new construction or retrofitted into existing homes using specialised installation methods.

Underfloor insulation

Underfloor insulation helps stop cold air rising through the floor. Timber floors with open subfloors can allow significant heat loss during winter.

Insulating beneath the floor helps keep floors warmer and improves overall comfort inside the home.

When the ceiling, walls, and floor all contain good insulation, the home becomes much more energy efficient.

Does insulation make a difference?

Many homeowners ask whether insulation really makes a noticeable difference, and the answer is yes. When your home is properly insulated, you will notice the difference right away.

But don’t just take our word for it, let’s see what our customers say.

Amber N
Google Review

In the video below, you can hear directly from one of our homeowners about the difference insulation made in their home.

Talk with Insultech about insulation for your home

Every home is different. The type of insulation and installation method can depend on the age of the house, the structure, and the spaces available.

At Insultech, we help Waikato homeowners understand what insulation their homes need and how to improve thermal performance. Our team specialises in retrofitting insulation into existing homes and installing blown insulation.

If you want to learn more about what’s insulation and how it can improve your home, get in touch with Insultech today. We can assess your home and recommend the right insulation solution to help keep your home warm, dry, and comfortable.

Blown insulation vs batt insulation in a ceiling side by side

Blown Insulation Vs Batt Insulation – What’s The Difference?

Written by EMD Agency on February 5, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

With a wide range of insulation products available, it’s easy to feel unsure about which option is right for your home. Two of the most common choices in New Zealand homes are traditional batt insulation and blown insulation. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between blown insulation vs batt insulation and why at Insultech we specialise in blown insulation.

Blown Insulation Vs Batt Insulation

Understanding insulation batts

Insulation batts are commonly used in New Zealand homes. They are often referred to as segments or blankets and are typically made from fibreglass or mineral wool-based fibres. Batts are designed to be fitted tightly between the timber framing of a house. However, the quality of the installation is critical. Even small gaps around pipes or wiring can allow heat to escape.

Batts have traditionally been used as the primary form of insulation in new home construction, as they are quick and easy to install at the framing stage while the linings are still off. Batt insulation is much harder to install as a retrofit solution because the internal wall linings usually need to be removed. One of the downsides of batt insulation is that it typically has lower R-values than other forms of insulation.

At insultech we believe building a new home is the ideal time to get insulation right from the start. A well-designed insulation system improves comfort, reduces ongoing energy costs, and ensures your home meets modern performance standards. That’s why we use a blown insulation systems for new builds not just for older homes because they deliver more consistent thermal performance across ceilings, walls, and floors than traditional insulation methods.

The basics of blown insulation

Blown insulation is a loose-fill material made from glasswool fibres. Blown insulation is installed using a specialised machine and a hose to distribute the material evenly. The main advantage of this method is that it creates a continuous layer that fills every corner without the need for joins or cutting.

Ceiling insulation

For insulating the ceiling, blown insulation is installed at a high density, which ensures it does not shrink or slump as the years go by. We use Loft Blown Insulation, which is a premium product that can reach R-values as high as R9.1, far exceeding the performance of standard batts. This high-density coverage is especially important when we look at heat loss through the roof. Heat naturally rises, so an uninsulated roof space can allow over 30 per cent of your heating to escape.

When you use batts in a ceiling, they sit between the timber joists. This creates a problem called thermal bridging, where the timber itself acts as a path for heat to leak out. Blown insulation solves this by covering the joists entirely, creating a chilly bin effect where the whole ceiling is sealed. To achieve the same thermal results as blown insulation, you would usually need to install at least two layers of batts. Blown insulation works for almost all New Zealand roof types, including traditional timber trusses and more difficult areas like raked or skillion ceilings. Once the ceiling is sorted, we can look at the walls.

Wall insulation for existing homes

Insulating the walls of an existing home can be difficult if you use batts, as you would usually have to remove all the internal wall linings. Blown insulation is a much better solution for retrofitting older houses. We use the CosyWall system, which is specifically designed for this purpose. Instead of a major renovation, we drill small holes into the wall, blow the glasswool into the cavity, and then repair the holes so the house stays weathertight and looks original. CosyWall has CodeMark certification, which gives you peace of mind that the product is durable and meets the highest standards of the New Zealand Building Code.

Making the right choice for your property

Making the right choice for your property depends on the age and style of the house. If you are building a new home with open framing, batts are a practical option. However, for anyone looking to improve an existing property, or get your insulation right from the start blown insulation is a better choice. It offers higher R-values, better coverage without gaps, and causes far less mess during the installation process. We invite you to book a free home assessment with our team to get professional advice and an accurate quote. Taking the time to get your insulation right is a smart investment in a healthy, comfortable home for the long term.

Why Blown Insulation Is Great for Insulating Older Homes

Written by EMD Agency on February 2, 2026. Posted in Insulation.

Older homes in New Zealand offer unique charm, but they often present challenges when it comes to keeping them warm, quiet, and energy efficient. Many lack adequate insulation, leading to chilly winters, hot stuffy summers, and extra noise. Blown insulation is great for insulating older homes because it can be installed easily without the need for major renovations.

️Insulating Older Home Walls Without Major Disruption

One of the biggest hurdles when insulating older homes is the wall structure itself. Traditional batt or blanket insulation requires removing wall linings, which means extra time, cost, and disruption to your daily life. Blown insulation offers a smart alternative. Our process involves drilling small, discreet holes into your wall lining or cladding. We then use specialised equipment to blow insulation material into the cavity, ensuring it fills every gap and space, even around pipes and wiring. Once installed, we neatly seal these small holes, leaving your walls looking untouched. This simple method means you can enjoy fully insulated walls, creating a warmer, quieter, and more energy-efficient home, often completed within a single day.

Insulate Your Ceilings with Blown Insulation

Heat naturally rises, and without effective ceiling insulation, a large amount of warmth escapes through your roof. Blown insulation is perfect for filling roof cavities, guaranteeing there are no gaps or thin spots where heat can leak out. Our flexible hoses ensure the insulation spreads evenly across the entire ceiling space. Even if your home already has some insulation, we can install blown insulation directly on top to significantly improve performance. This creates a thicker, seamless thermal layer that helps keep heat inside during winter and out during summer. This even coverage helps eliminate cold spots, making your home much more comfortable all year round.

Quiet Your Home with Better Soundproofing

Older homes often have thinner walls and less sound protection, which can make everyday noises, more noticeable. Blown acoustic insulation, helps reduce sound transfer, creating a calmer and more peaceful indoor environment. By adding acoustic insulation to your internal walls, you can block out unwanted noise travelling between rooms within your home.

Make Your Older Home Warmer and Quieter with Blown Insulation

If your home feels cold in winter and hot in summer, it may be time to think about improving your insulation. Blown insulation is a simple, effective way to make your home warmer, quieter, and more energy efficient without major work.

At Insultech, we have experience working in many older Waikato homes. Our team can inspect your property and recommend the best solution for your walls, ceilings, and floors.

Contact Us Today to book your free home insulation check and see how blown insulation can transform your home.

0800 313 310

sw@insultech.co.nz

Why Insulation Is One of the Best Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in Summer

Written by EMD Agency on December 8, 2025. Posted in Insulation.

If your home feels warm and stuffy during summer, it could be due to poor insulation. When the temperature rises outside, it often rises inside too, and this makes it harder to stay comfortable. There are many ways to help keep your home cooler, but insulation is one of the best ways to keep your home cool because it slows the heat from entering in the first place.

Understanding Where the Heat Comes From

Heat naturally moves from warmer areas to cooler ones. During summer, the sun heats up your roof, walls, and windows, and that heat slowly transfers into your home. This process is known as heat gain. Once heat enters your living spaces, it builds up.

BRANZ research shows where most of this unwanted heat enters:

Up to 35 percent through an uninsulated or poorly insulated roof

Around 25 percent through uninsulated walls

About 14 percent through the floor

Roughly 30 percent through single glazed or poorly insulated windows

More than half of this heat comes from the roof and walls. This is why improving insulation in these areas is one of the best ways to keep your home cool during summer.

How Insulation Stops Heat Before It Enters Your Home

Insulation acts as a protective layer that slows heat transfer. During summer, it keeps hot air out, and during winter it holds warmth in. This helps your home stay at a more stable and comfortable temperature all year round.

In summer a well insulated home takes longer to heat up during the day. Rooms remain cooler for longer, and you do not need to rely on cooling systems as often. This reduces energy use and creates a more comfortable place to live.

Ready to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer?

At Insultech Insulation, we specialise in retrofitting high-quality ceiling, underfloor, and wall insulation into existing homes and rental properties across Waikato. With more than 30 years’ experience, our team delivers customised solutions using trusted products and materials that have been keeping Kiwi homes warm in winter and cool in summer for over three decades.

If you want an effective way to keep your home cool this summer, insulation is the perfect place to start. To arrange a free quote, contact us or call us today on 0800 313 3102.

picture under the house with underfloor insulation and a ground moisture barrier on the ground

Does Your Home Need Underfloor Insulation or a Ground Moisture Barrier?

Written by EMD Agency on October 28, 2025. Posted in Insulation.

Many New Zealand homes built before 2008 were not required to have underfloor insulation. If your home is older or built on piles, there’s a good chance it’s losing warmth through the floor or has damp air rising from below. Both underfloor insulation and a ground moisture barrier can make a big difference to how warm and dry your home feels.

What Underfloor Insulation Does

Underfloor insulation helps stop heat loss from your floors. During winter, cold air and dampness from under the house can seep up through your floors. When this happens, your home feels colder and your heating has to work harder to keep the temperature comfortable.

Installing insulation under the floor creates a thermal barrier between the warm air inside and the cold air below. It traps heat where it belongs and keeps your home warmer for longer. You’ll notice fewer draughts through floorboards and a more stable temperature throughout the day.

What a Ground Moisture Barrier Does

A ground moisture barrier, also known as a vapour barrier or polythene sheet, is a thick plastic layer placed over the soil beneath your house. Its job is to stop moisture in the ground from rising into the air under your floor.

Without this barrier, dampness in the soil can evaporate and build up under your home. Over time, that moisture can cause a range of problems such as:

A damp, musty smell inside

Condensation on windows and walls

Mould or mildew growth

Damage to timber floors and framing

Attracting insects or pests

A properly installed ground moisture barrier covers the entire area of exposed soil. The sheet is pinned to the ground and sealed around piles so no moisture can escape. Once in place, it prevents water vapour from rising and helps keep the subfloor space dry. It’s a simple, low-cost job that delivers long-lasting results.

Why Both Work Best Together

Underfloor insulation and ground moisture barriers each solve a different problem, but together they deliver the best results. Insulation keeps heat inside and cold air out. A ground moisture barrier stops dampness from entering the subfloor.

By combining both systems, you create a stronger barrier against cold and moisture. This helps reduce humidity, improves air quality, and makes your home more energy efficient. Homes that have both tend to feel drier and more comfortable, especially in areas with high rainfall or clay soil.

If you’ve ever noticed your home feeling chilly even when the heater’s on, or if there’s a musty smell after rain, it’s often due to moisture and heat loss from the floor area. Installing both underfloor insulation and a ground moisture barrier tackles both issues at once.

When to Check Under Your Home

If your house is built on piles or has a timber floor, it’s worth having a look underneath. You might find old or damaged insulation, or sometimes none at all. You can also check for signs of ground moisture, such as wet soil, water pooling, or mould on the subfloor framing.

Homes near the coast or in areas with poor drainage are more likely to have dampness under the floor. Over time, that moisture can make the air inside your home feel humid and unpleasant.

At Insultech, we often find that homeowners are unaware of how much difference a dry subfloor makes. Once insulation and a ground moisture barrier are in place, the home feels noticeably warmer and the air fresher.

Get Your Underfloor Sorted

If you don’t have underfloor insulation or a ground moisture barrier, or you’re not sure if you do, contact Insultech for a quote or to arrange a free assessment and find out what’s under your floor.

The Year-round Benefits of Insulating Your Walls with Blown Insulation

Written by EMD Agency on October 10, 2025. Posted in Insulation.

Spring has arrived, and with it the opportunity to start planning those summer renovations. If you’re repainting or renovating your home, it provides a great opportunity to insulate your walls at the same time! Why wall insulation you ask? Keep reading to understand the benefits of wall insulation, and why this is an easy upgrade that shouldn’t be overlooked.

What Is Blown Insulation

Blown insulation, also known as loose-fill insulation, is a method used to insulate existing homes. Instead of removing linings or cladding, the insulation is blown directly into the wall cavity through small holes. The material, often made from fibreglass or cellulose, fills every gap and space inside the cavity, creating a complete thermal barrier.

This method works well in older homes because it reaches areas that traditional insulation can’t. It seals the wall cavity, reduces heat loss, and helps keep your indoor temperature stable, no matter the weather outside.

How Blown Insulation is Installed

Blown insulation is installed using specialised equipment that injects the insulation into the wall cavity through small access holes. The material spreads evenly, filling gaps around wiring and framing to create a continuous layer of insulation.

For interior installation, small holes are drilled into the plasterboard lining through which the insulation is blown in. They are easily replastered and sealed ready for a fresh coat of paint once the job is complete.

If installed from the outside, the same process is used except through the external cladding. Don’t worry, this is a safe method and we follow a strict CodeMark certified process to ensure your home integrity is maintained. If you’re thinking about repainting the exterior, it provides the perfect opportunity to install wall insulation at the same time.

Both methods are quick, tidy, and cost-effective, with minimal disruption to your home.

Why Insulate Your Existing Walls

Insulating your existing walls is one of the best ways to make your home warmer and more energy-efficient. Up to 25 percent of heat can be lost or gained through uninsulated walls. By filling your walls with blown insulation, you can reduce heat loss and heat gains, making your home much more energy efficient.

Well-insulated walls also help keep homes cooler in summer, which makes a big difference during warmer months. A consistent indoor temperature means you’ll spend less on heating and cooling.

Upgrade Without the Hassle

Blown insulation is one of the easiest home improvements you can make. The process is fast, clean, and effective. Whether installed from the inside or outside, the results are the same, a home that stays warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and costs less to run.

Here’s what one of our happy customers had to say:

Ready to insulate your existing walls?

Talk to the team at Insultech Waikato today. We’re Waikato’s local insulation experts with over 30 years of experience helping Kiwi homeowners create warmer, more efficient homes. Contact us to book your free home assessment and find out how easy it is to insulate your existing walls.

How insulation can help lower expensive power bills

Struggling with Expensive Power Bills This Winter? How Insulation Can Help

Written by EMD Agency on September 24, 2025. Posted in Energy Efficiency.

Expensive power bills can put a lot of pressure on households across New Zealand especially in winter. Many families find that no matter how often they run their heaters, their homes never feel as warm as they should. The result is higher costs and less comfort. One of the main reasons is heat loss, and insulation is the best way to fix it.

Why Heat Loss Increases Your Power Bill

When you heat your home, you pay for every unit of energy it takes to warm the air inside. If that heat escapes quickly, your heater has to keep running to replace it. The more your heating system works, the more you pay in energy bills.

Research from BRANZ shows how much heat can escape in an uninsulated home. Around 30 to 35 percent of heat is lost through the ceiling, 18 to 25 percent through the walls, and 12 to 14 percent through the floors. That adds up to a large amount of energy slipping away before it can do its job.

If insulation is old, damaged, or missing, you could be paying to heat air that leaks straight outside. Your home takes longer to warm up, cools down more quickly, and costs far more to keep comfortable.

How Insulation Keeps Heat Where You Want It

Heat naturally moves from warm areas to cooler ones. In a home without proper insulation, it passes easily through timber framing, plasterboard, and even small gaps.

Insulation slows this process by creating a thermal barrier. In winter, it keeps warmth in. In summer, it helps keep heat out. The thicker and denser the insulation, the harder it is for heat to pass through it.

In a well-insulated home, the heat you generate stays inside for longer. That means your heater does not need to run as often or as hard. You use less energy, and your home feels more comfortable.

Real Results from Kiwi Homes

Many of our customers notice the difference insulation makes right away. Debbie recently had her home insulated and shared, “It does feel warmer in our home and the recent cold snap has certainly been a good tester.”

Matt, who had his villa fully insulated, told us, “The insulation itself is very high quality, and we noticed a huge difference from day one.” He also appreciated the quality of the work and the professional service from our team.

Amber also saw the benefits. After insulating half her house, she explained, “We decided to do half the house first and found it made a big difference so got the rest done.” She now enjoys a warmer home and was pleased with how friendly and efficient our team were throughout the process.

Insulate Now and Save on Power

If you are struggling with expensive power bills, insulation is one of the best investments you can make. It helps cut energy use, keeps your home warm and comfortable, and reduces the strain on your heating system.

At Insultech, we have more than 30 years of experience insulating homes across Waikato. Our team can assess your home and recommend the best solution for your ceiling, walls, and underfloor spaces. We take pride in our service, from start to finish, and our customers notice the results.

Book a free insulation assessment with Insultech today and take the first step towards lower power bills and a warmer home.

Understanding Home Heat Loss and The Difference Insulation Makes

Written by EMD Agency on September 3, 2025. Posted in Insulation.

Home heat loss is one of the biggest reasons many houses across New Zealand feel cold and are expensive to run during winter. Without the right insulation, a large amount of the warmth you pay for can escape before it ever makes a difference. Knowing where heat goes and how insulation helps is the first step to making your home warmer, drier, and more comfortable.

Where Homes Lose Heat

Research from BRANZ shows just how much heat can escape from an uninsulated home:

30 to 35 percent through the roof

18 to 25 percent through the walls

21 to 31 percent through windows

12 to 14 percent through the floor

That adds up to more than 70 percent of your heating being lost. Even if you run your heater all day, warm air won’t stay inside unless your home has good insulation. This means your home takes longer to heat, you need to use more energy, and your power bills rise.

Why Home Heat Loss Matters

When warm air escapes and cold air comes in, your home becomes harder to keep at a comfortable temperature. Heat loss also leads to damp and chilly areas, which can affect your family’s health. Cold, damp homes increase the risk of colds, flu, and respiratory problems, especially during winter.

Reducing home heat loss means you spend less on heating and cooling. It also means you get a healthier, warmer home that is nicer to live in.

The Difference Insulation Makes

Insulation acts like a blanket for your home. It slows down the transfer of heat so that warmth stays inside during winter and heat stays out during summer. This makes your home much more energy efficient.

If your home already has some insulation but still feels cold, it may be thin, patchy, or outdated. Upgrading your insulation can make a big difference to your comfort and power bills.

Know Where Your Home Is Losing Heat

Every home is different. Some houses may need a ceiling top-up, others may have draughty floors or uninsulated walls. The best way to know where your home is losing heat is to have an assessment carried out.

At Insultech, we specialise in retrofitting insulation into existing homes across Waikato. Our team has more than 30 years of experience helping Kiwis reduce home heat loss and improve comfort. We can check your home and recommend the right insulation solution for your needs.

Home heat loss doesn’t have to be a problem. With the right insulation in place, your home can stay warmer, drier, and healthier while also saving you money. Contact Insultech today to book your free assessment and take the first step towards a better performing home.

How Blown Insulation Can Be Used to Reduce Noise in Your Home

Written by EMD Agency on August 20, 2025. Posted in Acoustic Insulation.

With Blown Insulation we can help reduce noise in your home. Whether it’s traffic outside, noisy neighbours, or sound travelling between rooms, unwanted noise can quickly disrupt your comfort. Acoustic wall insulation offers a simple and effective way to make your home quieter. Blown insulation is one of the best options for this, as it is cost effective, quick to install, and keeps disruption to a minimum.

How Sound Travels

Sound is energy that moves as waves through air, liquids, and solids. When these waves reach a surface, they can pass through, bounce off, or be absorbed depending on the material. Understanding a few sound basics helps explain how acoustic insulation works.

Frequency

This is the pitch of a sound, measured in Hertz (Hz). High-frequency sounds, like birdsong, have short wavelengths. Low-frequency sounds, such as a washing machine’s rumble, have long wavelengths and are harder to block.

Decibels (dB)

This measures how loud a sound is. A whisper might be 30dB, while a busy road can reach 80dB or more. For most people, a noise level under 40dB is comfortable at home.

Why Blown Insulation Works Well to Reduce Noise in Your Home

Blown insulation is installed by injecting loose glasswool insulation into wall cavities. It fills every gap and void, creating a seamless sound barrier.

No Gaps for Sound to Travel

Unlike pre-cut insulation batts, which can leave small gaps, blown insulation fills the entire space. Even the smallest cracks are covered, stopping sound from leaking through.

Excellent for Airborne Noise

Because of its density, blown insulation absorbs airborne sound very effectively. Conversations, music, and outside noise are greatly reduced. This makes it ideal for bedrooms, home offices, and living rooms.

Helps Control Vibrations

While impact sound often needs extra solutions like floating floors or wall separation, blown insulation still plays a part by reducing vibrations within the wall cavity.

Thermal Comfort as a Bonus

Blown insulation also improves thermal performance. It keeps your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, helping with energy efficiency as well as noise reduction.

A Cost Effective and Tidy Solution

You might think acoustic insulation is a luxury something that only makes sense for high-end builds or sound studios. But at Insultech Waikato, we make it accessible and affordable for everyday homes.

Blown insulation is quick to install, with minimal disruption to your home, because installers insert the insulation through small holes in the external cladding or, alternatively, from inside through holes in the internal linings, eliminating the need for major renovations or construction work. Because it works for both new and existing homes, it is a practical choice for many situations. You get the benefits of reduced noise without the mess and time of major renovations.

Why Reducing Noise in Your Home Matters

A quieter home improves your quality of life in many ways.

Better Sleep – Less disturbance at night means deeper, more restful sleep.

Improved Focus – A quiet space makes it easier to concentrate on work or study.

Increased Privacy – Conversations stay private between rooms.

Added Value – Well-insulated homes are often more attractive to buyers.

Estimate the Cost of Acoustic Wall Insulation

Our acoustic wall insulation calculator can give you an idea of the cost of insulating your home with blown insulation. Simply enter the length and height of your wall to receive an estimate.

Please remember this is only a guide, as many factors can affect the final price. The best way to know for sure is to book a free insulation assessment. Our team will visit your property, check your walls, and provide an accurate quote.

Talk to Us About Making Your Home Quieter

If you want to reduce noise in your home, we can help. With more than 30 years of experience insulating Waikato homes, we know how to get the best results. Use our online acoustic wall insulation calculator today, or contact us to arrange your free assessment.