In making climate-friendly choices for our homes, most of us focus on improving what we can see. This includes things like smart meters, LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, composting bins and water-saving fixtures.
However, people sometimes overlook another key element: home insulation, particularly floor insulation.
While walls and ceilings typically get attention first, the space beneath your floors plays a crucial role in keeping your home both comfortable and environmentally friendly.
Read on to discover what the top six sustainability benefits of underfloor insulation are, and specifically why Expol’s retrofit underfloor insulation is the best choice.
1. Non-Toxic
Polystyrene underfloor insulation products are produced without the use of toxic, ozone-depleting substances.
Foamex, our manufacturer, was one of the first polystyrene producers in Australia to adopt pentane as an expansion agent.
Older methods relied on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — known to harm the ozone layer. Pentane is a toxin-free alternative that has no adverse effects on the environment. This means that sustainable floor insulation is safe for use in your home.
Additionally, the manufacturing process is inherently low-pollution, utilising steam and water, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
2. Fully Recyclable
As mentioned, Expol underfloor insulation is made from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is a 100% recyclable material.
Any offcuts can be placed into a StyroCycle bin, where they will be reprocessed into new products, supporting a circular economy and minimising waste.
But did you know that EPS can be recycled repeatedly? And all without losing its structural integrity or performance? It can be reused at multiple stages of its life cycle, from offcuts during production to end-of-life disposal.
Many insulation materials break down or release harmful chemicals over time. EPS environmentally friendly insulation, however, does not biodegrade, meaning it won’t contaminate air or water.
3. Minimal Waste
The manufacturing process for EPS doesn’t just achieve zero waste via recycling. The sustainability of EPS is amplified by its unique composition: an incredible 98% of its structure is simply air, with only 2% made up of polystyrene.
This design drastically reduces the need for raw materials, making EPS a highly effective insulation solution with a resource-efficient production process. By using so little plastic, EPS manufacturing minimises resource extraction, energy use, and transportation emissions while providing excellent thermal performance to ensure your home stays comfortable year-round.
Even when installing underfloor insulation, minimal waste is generated. DIY underfloor insulation panels are lightweight and easy to handle. They fit precisely between floor joists, reducing the likelihood of excess offcuts.
Any scraps or byproducts that are created can be collected and returned for recycling. This further supports our zero-waste philosophy.
4. Energy Efficient
Another benefit of using energy-efficient insulation is its thermal resistance and thermal performance. The design reduces heat loss in winter and keeps your home cooler in summer.
It eliminates the need to keep heating and cooling systems running. This improves your home’s energy efficiency, saving you money on your energy bills.
Expol black in particular is one of the most thermally efficient and cost-effective insulation products available. It helps your home maintain consistent indoor temperatures all year round and will require less energy to maintain comfort.
By cutting down your energy consumption, you also lower your carbon footprint, contributing to a cleaner and greener planet.
5. Long Lasting
Expol’s underfloor insulation for existing timber floors is engineered to stand the test of time, offering superior durability and consistent performance for decades.
Unlike some insulation materials that can sag or degrade over time, Expol is a rigid board bulk insulation designed to retain its shape and thermal properties, ensuring reliable and effective insulation throughout its lifespan.
This exceptional durability means fewer repairs or replacements, conserving valuable resources and minimising waste. By reducing the need for frequent replacements, Expol also cuts down on the environmental costs associated with producing new materials, such as manufacturing and transportation.
With Expol, homeowners can enjoy long-term energy efficiency and comfort while making a more sustainable insulation choice that lowers their home’s overall environmental impact.
6. Pest Resistant
Eco friendly floor insulation has pest-resistant properties, offering a natural solution that contributes to a healthier and more sustainable home environment.
Unlike other insulation materials, such as fibreglass batts, which pests may find appealing for nesting, EPS provides no nutritional value and is not an attractive material for pests to inhabit.
Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemical treatments, such as sprays or poisons, which can harm the environment and disrupt local ecosystems. With Expol’s natural resistance to pests, homeowners can reduce or eliminate the need for such noxious deterrents. This helps prevent the release of harmful gases and liquids into the air, soil, and water while maintaining the integrity of the insulation.
This means you’re not only ensuring long-lasting and energy efficient insulation performance but also supporting a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable approach to pest management in your home.
Eco-Conscious Consumers Choose Expol Foam Underfloor Insulation
Eco friendly insulation is a solution that aligns with modern values and climate targets while delivering superior performance.
With Expol, you are not just insulating your home. You are choosing a product that is durable, recyclable, non-toxic and pest-repelling. It also reduces resource and energy consumption and sets the benchmark for waste-free manufacturing in the insulation industry.
Offcuts and rejected materials are fed back into the production process, ensuring nothing is discarded. This closed-loop system reflects our overall approach to material efficiency and sustainability and our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.
Expol insulation is available at leading hardware stores and other selected outlets Australia-wide.
Please contact us at 1300 AU FOAM if you would like to know more.
