For thousands of years ago, everyone from the ancient Egyptians to the Vikings used mud to keep their homes comfortable. Egyptians built their homes out of mud bricks, while Vikings plastered mud and straw in between the logs that made up their homes to keep the air and extreme temperatures out.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used both cork and a material they called ‘asbestos’, which in classical Greek means “inextinguishable” because of its resistance to heat and fire. In the Middle Ages homes were damp, draft-prone, and col, meaning animal hides and rugs were used to keep the floors warm and hung tapestries on walls to keep drafts and dampness at bay.

Then came a range of insulating materials cellulose, cardboard, straw, sawdust, or cotton. In the mid 1970s, the harmful effects of asbestos were finally brought to light, causing both cellulose insulation and fiberglass batting to be widely adopted in building and construction projects. Both are still used today.

In other words, insulation was first developed to keep cold out, then to mitigate sound, and finally, to prevent fire. While it was noted that mud and animal hide were the first examples of insulative material, today, now have purpose-built, mass manufactured products which assist in an array of sectors, including commercial.

Insulation effectively refers to a material that reduces the transfer of thermal energy. This can refer to thermal, acoustic or fire insulation, with some panels and products able to account for more than one form of insulation. The brilliance and ingenuity of Australian manufacturers has resulted in several superior products able to insulate commercial buildings, irrespective of purpose.

Providing acoustic, thermal, and fire-resistant performance, superior insulation solutions in commercial buildings are non-negotiable. The Australian offerings market wide are consistently at the coalface of industry trends, with each providing architects with adaptable solutions with individual qualities. We’ve curated a portion of our favourites here.

Let's go natural

AIS Group’s Rockwool insulation range is made from natural stone wool, the sustainable and non-combustible material is created through rocks ingeniously spun into fibres.

Available in an array of forms, including rolls, boards and slabs and possessing the ability to be pre-formed, the range is a specification haven for architects. Superior thermal and acoustic performance is backed by the highest level of fire protection (AS1530.1, AS1530.3 and AS4859.1) possible, underlining both its functional and safe qualities.

AIS’ sustainable commitment sees all Rockwool products certified to meet other standards, including the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and the Health Product Declaration (HPD).

Made to be environmentally friendly as it is made from recycled materials, Rockwool insulation has also been designed to be more durable than other insulation materials with a longer lifespan. It is resistant to damage from pests and moisture, making it suitable for use in a variety of different climates and weather conditions. It is also a good choice for use in areas with high levels of moisture, as it can absorb, and release moisture as needed.

Sydney’s most exclusive address, Lendlease and Renzo Piano’s One Sydney Harbour, has been insulated with the Rockwool range, with buildings at Melbourne’s Monash University and the University of Technology Sydney also the beneficiary of the AIS range.

Getting high performance

Askin’s XFLAM Insulated Panels are high performance panels that are fully recyclable and can be utilised for roofing, walls, ceilings, and architectural facades, XFLAM’s syntactic thermoset foam core meets all NCC requirements.

Askin’s CodeMark Volcore Panels are claimed to be the most fire-resistant panels on the market. Suited to extreme high-risk environments including multi-residential buildings, data centres and plant rooms, CodeMark achieves its resistance through its mineral wool core manufactured from Basalt Rock, which achieves high fire resistance levels (FRL).

Australia’s distinctive climate makes for several issues for architects and specifiers alike. With eight climate zones from the warm and humid north to the cooler south, the full range of Askin products account for the cold-storage sector through to non-combustible building envelope.

Askin provided its CodeMark Volcore Non-Combustible Panels with a weather-iron steel face to provide fire resistance and aesthetic appeal to St Albans Leisure Centre Replacement (Health and Wellbeing Hub) in Melbourne’s west.

Carbon neutral

Autex’s carbon neutral treatments are produced entirely from PET, with a minimum of 45 percent recycled fibre. Each product is rigorously tested to support performance claims, with a locally based supply chain ensuring peace of mind.

Autex’s extensive list of accreditations include a Level A GreenRate certification, Declare - Third-Party Verified ‘Red List Free' status, CDPH standard and ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certificates. The newly completed Seek HQ, designed by Hassell, is insulated with Autex’s Quietspace Panel, ensuing in a quiet, well insulated workplace defined by Autex’s sustainable operation.

Cool runnings

Designed specifically for commercial metal framed partitions, wall systems and ceilings, Fletcher Insulation’s Fletcher Insulation’s Pink Partition range epitomises the company’s mantra of creating outstanding and protective products. Exceptional thermal and acoustic performance defines the glasswool product and is ideal for both low- and high-rise buildings, including (and certainly not limited to) offices, schools, universities, and shopping centres.

A catalogue of densities, thicknesses and dimensions assure architects of its suitability, with Pink Partition assisting in meeting NCC requirements. The unique friction fitting installation procedure reduces installation time and cost, while its rigidity mitigates issues of slumping.

Fletcher’s products are thermally rated to AS4859.1, as well as meeting AS 1530.1, avoiding additional fuel loading to a building and furthering a building’s safety. Most importantly, the entirety of Fletcher’s range complies with the requirements of AS 3959 Bushfire Attack Level Low-FZ in walls, floors and ceilings.

Australian made for Australian conditions, Fletcher’s panels were utilised for Melbourne’s award-winning Collins Arch commercial tower, while maintaining safety and optimal thermal and acoustic performance at Perth’s Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Maximum protection

Kingspan Kooltherm and Kingspan Therma are a cornerstone of 7+ Star-rated homes. Kooltherm is an extensive range of rigid thermoset phenolic insulation for roofs, walls, and floors, boasting the most thermally efficient conductivity and thermal performance values of any product available on the market.

The easy-to-install Therma features a fibre-free insulation core, ideal for both new build and refurbishment projects. The product is commonly used amongst waterproofed flat roofs and tapered roofs to enhance water drainage and is regarded by the company as being compatible with most green roof systems.

An alternative to standard insulation products, the thin AIR-CELL product been shown to reflect up to 97 percent of radiant heat away from its foil surface. Fibre-free, non-allergenic and non-irritant, the advanced thermal performance of the reflective foil is both effortless to install and energy efficient.

Australian made within the company’s 6-Star rated Somerton facility, all Kingspan products hold at least one or more CodeMark, Group 1& 2 NCC fire or Branz Appraised accreditation.

Kingspan’s Kooltherm has been installed at the world-class Allianz Stadium, designed by COX, and site of the upcoming 2023 Sustainability Awards.

Getting all glassy

Oceania Glass is the only (and by default, the largest) glass manufacturer on the continent. Supplying the company’s insulation products, ComfortHush and QLam Hush that provide a contemporary alternative to atypical insulation materials.

ComfortHush incorporates a 3-ply acoustic PVB interlayer designed to reduce sound transmission, with a Low E coated component providing high-quality thermal performance, while additionally eliminating some 99 percent of UV radiation. QLam Hush sees two Grade A sheets of glass bonded together that dampens noise and provides enhanced sound insulation performance.

For wet areas

Siniat’s TruRock and TruRock HD plasterboards are designed to be a cost-effective all-in-one lining solution for commercial construction. Impact, water, and fire resistant, the panels limit sound transfer, with their high-density gypsum core, glass fibre reinforcement and recycled heavy-duty liner paper culminating in an all-encompassing plasterboard.

All Siniat products are available under the Siniat Carbon Neutral Opt-in Program, certified by Climate Active. The range is certified to GreenRate Level A by Global GreenTag, with the durability of both TruRock and TruRock HD resulting in the products being specified for wet areas.

Burling Brown Architects specified Siniat’s plasterboards for Robina’s Arcadia College. The unique nature of the project saw the company involved heavily throughout the design process. TruRock HD was used on classroom walls to soundproof the spaces, with SoundShield, another plasterboard offering, implemented underneath hard surfaces to strengthen acoustic treatment.

Image: Geelong Library / Kingspan.

Suppliers

AIS

Askin

Autex Acoustics

Fletcher Insulation

Kingspan Insulation

Oceania Glass

Siniat

Jarrod Reedie

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