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Time to insulate
Elize Ingels of Centurion writes We have a wooden house in the Bushveld that gets incredibly hot in summer and cold in winter. Even the air conditioner doesn’t make a difference! The corrugated-iron roof was treated with three layers of a special paint, but that also didn’t help; there is no ceiling in the living area, just exposed beams. Can IsoBoard be installed underneath the roof and can we use it for the walls which also haven’t been insulated properly?
Mark Russell, head of marketing and technical support at IsoBoard, replies Wooden houses have features that make temperature control difficult; the most significant of these is a lack of thermal mass. This refers to the absence of dense materials, usually brick or concrete, which absorb and release heat slowly, helping to moderate internal temperatures. Add to this significant air leaks at joints, eaves, door and window frames, and the floor boards if the entire structure is elevated, as is often the case with log homes. Glazing on windows, especially if there are limited roof overhangs or verandas to provide shade, will also have an effect.
The good news is you can affix IsoBoard directly onto the steel roof, if you use short pieces cut to fit between the rafter beams. You’ll need a specific adhesive to do this, which we supply. Alternatively, the boards can be fixed to the timber supports of the rafters as a ceiling. In both cases, 50mmthick boards will do the job.
You can also fix IsoBoard to the outside or inside of the cabin walls; however, it must be protected from impact and direct sunlight. It’s best to install the IsoBoard behind a protective cladding on the exterior wall. You will probably need 30mm boards for this application. If the cabin is raised, consider installing IsoBoard underneath the floorboards, too. This will dramatically improve the interior temperature of your Bushveld house in winter.
CONTACT isoboard.com