Don't forget your fixings.
Insulation isn’t one product, it’s a small kit. The panel does the heat-stopping. The fixings make it stay where you put it. Three accessories, each doing one job, all available nationwide via The Foam Shop.
- Z Clips · for retrofit
- Joist Saddles · for new builds
- WireGuard · for cable protection
Three jobs.
One complete kit.
EXPOL accessories simplify underfloor insulation installation, providing purpose-designed fixings, joist saddles and WireGuard cable protection for secure, lasting performance beneath floors.
Z Clips grip.
Push them into the cavity from below. Two per panel. No nails, no drilling, no tools – they wedge between the joist and the panel and stay put.
Joist Saddles hold.
Sit on top of the joist before the floor goes down. Drop the panel into the cavity from above and the saddle catches it. Faster than nailing, neater than strapping.
WireGuard protects.
An adhesive paper barrier that goes between any exposed electrical cable and the EPS panel. Required where the two would touch.
Z Clips.
The EXPOL Quick-Fit Z Clip helps make retrofitting existing timber floors a straightforward DIY project.
Working from beneath the house, simply push each EXPOL panel firmly into place between the floor joists. Then push two Quick-Fit Z Clips up underneath each panel to secure it – no nails or tools required. Two Z Clips are recommended for a secure fit for years to come.
Joist Saddles.
Specifically designed for new floors, EXPOL Joist Saddles allow insulation panels to be installed quickly and easily from above – before floorboards or sheet flooring are laid.
Simply position each saddle over the joist, then lower the EXPOL panel into the cavity. The saddles support the panel securely, helping prevent sagging or movement without straps, staples or underside fixing.
Suitable for timber and steel joists, EXPOL Joist Saddles are ideal for new homes, extensions, granny flats and tiny homes where the floor joists remain exposed during installation. Its recommended to fit two joist saddles, positioned diagonally for each panel.
WireGuard.
EXPOL WireGuard provides a protective barrier between exposed electrical cables and polystyrene insulation panels, as required by AS/NZS 3000.
Designed specifically for use with EXPOL R1.4 White and R1.8 Black underfloor insulation, WireGuard is now supplied as a self-adhesive paper strip for faster, easier installation—simply peel, position and press into place. No staples or strapping are required.
Suitable for residential and commercial applications, one compact roll covers most typical homes. If exposed cables are present in the floor cavity, install WireGuard before fitting the EXPOL panels.
One stop, every fixings.
Expol underfloor insulation accessories ship Australia-wide through The Foam Shop.
Pair them with your panel order or pick them up on their own. Either way you’ll have the right fixings on hand before the day of the install.
Common questions.
The four things people ask most often when they’re working out which fixings they actually need. The full FAQ lives in DIY Support.
Do I need both Z Clips and Joist Saddles?
No – you pick one based on the job. Z Clips for retrofitting an existing floor (working from below). Joist Saddles for a new build (working from above before the floor goes down).
How many Z Clips per panel?
Two clips per panel – one near each end. They push between the joists from below and grip the eventual panel position. No drilling, no nails. The pack count on The Foam Shop is sized to typical floor areas.
Do I always need WireGuard?
Only where the panel would otherwise touch an exposed electrical cable. If your cavity has visible cable runs across the joists, WireGuard goes between them and the panel. If there are no cables in the cavity, you don’t need it.
Will Joist Saddles work on steel joists?
Yes. The saddle sits astride the joist regardless of material – works on both timber and steel. If you’re framing a tiny home or commercial fitout with steel joists, the install method is identical.
Three ways to take it from here.
Order the panels to go with your fixings, work out exactly how many you’ll need, or come back to the comparison and decide which board is right for the job.
Run the calcs.
Floor area in, joist spacing in, pack count out. Stops you over-ordering and stops you running short on the day. About thirty seconds.
Pick a panel.
Not sure if you need White R1.4 or Black R1.8? The decision tool on the Underfloor Insulation page – takes about 30 seconds.
Buy the panels.
White R1.4, Black R1.8, accessories – can be purchased via all good hardware stores. Most will order it all in for you.