INSTALLING EXPOL TIMBER UNDERFLOOR INSULATION
Looks like you are about to take the next step to creating a healthier home environment. That’s great news for you and your family.
Whether you are choosing to have EXPOL professionally installed or going it alone, you will not go past EXPOL UnderFloor Insulation.
To assist you, we’ve developed an easy step guide – follow it and you can’t go wrong.
Don’t forget to pick up your EXPOL UnderFloor Insulation DIY Ruler from your store. Use it to measure the underfloor joist sizes, so you can purchase the correct panels for your DIY Insulation project.
Some useful tools for DIY installation
Step by step guide
Step 1 – Measure
Place your EXPOL UnderFloor Installation DIY Ruler against one side of the joist. The opposite joist will fall within one of our 4 panel sizes. Joist sizes can vary, so be sure to measure more than one.
You may need a few different panel sizes to complete the job.
Step 2 – Trim the edge
If the panel is too wide, simply slice down the appropriate concertina edge, leaving the panel approximately 5mm over sized to ensure a firm fit.
Step 3 – Existing Floor Fixings – R1.4 + R1.8 & R2.5 + R3.1
Slide the panel between the joists. The concertina designed cuts will ensure a tight fit. The panel should be pushed up hard against the bottom of your floor leaving no air gap.
A minimum gap of 200mm must be left around metal heating flues, OA rated recessed down lights and ceiling exhaust fans, and a 50mm gap is required around brick/concrete chimneys.
Step 3a – Existing Floor Clips
EXPOL Z Clips are a push fit – no nails bracket to squeeze between the panel and the joist.
They are to be positioned diagonally in opposite corners under the panel.
Set these 200mm in from the end of the panel.
Step 3b – New Floor Fixings – R2.5 + R3.1 UnderFloor
Before floorboards or flooring sheets are installed.
Fix two EXPOL Joist Saddles diagonally in opposite corners of the space approx 200mm from the end of the joists. Simply slide the saddles over the joist, nail the saddle into the top of joist if required.
Joist saddles ensure the panel will stay in place once the floorboards or flooring sheets are installed.
Step 3c – New Floor Fixings – R1.4 + R1.8 UnderFloor
Before floorboards or flooring sheets are installed.
Fix two 60mm Galvanized Nails diagonally in opposite corners of the space approx 200mm from the end of the joists, 60mm from the top of the joist.
The nails will ensure the panel will stay in place once the floorboards or flooring sheets are installed.
Step 3d – New Floors
Simply place the panel on top of the EXPOL Joist Saddles or nails.
The panel should sit flush with the top of the joist to ensure there is no air gap.
Step 4 – Electrical
For cables that come into DIRECT contact with EXPOL UnderFloor Panels, place EXPOL Wireguard around the wires before installation.
Do not use a staple gun to fix the Wireguard.
Take extra care when working around electrical wiring.
Step 5 – Pipes & Plumbing
For obstacles such as pipes and plumbing, use your sharp knife to cut the panel and notch around the difficult areas.
For future maintenance, leave 100mm clearance around pipes and plumbing.
EXPOL R1.4 & R1.8 UnderFloor Insulation
R1.4 bags are colour coded to joist the width
EXPOL UnderFloor Insulation is available from participating hardware stores nationwide – find your local outlet here.
EXPOL R2.5 & R3.1 UnderFloor Insulation
R2.5 bags are colour coded to joist the width
EXPOL UnderFloor Insulation is available from participating hardware stores nationwide – find your local outlet here.
EXPOL R2.5 UnderFloor Insulation is BRANZ Appraised.
For further installation guidelines: Refer to NZS 4246:2016 Energy efficiency – Installing insulation in residential buildings www.standards.govt.nz
For further, detailed information on all products contact EXPOL 0800 86 33 73