Underfloor insulation for timber floors

Underfloor Insulation Perth

Insulation Extract installs underfloor insulation in Perth homes with suspended timber floors, using Knauf Earthwool® FloorShield batts or closed-cell polyurethane spray foam. Stop cold draughts coming up through the floorboards in winter and keep the house cooler in summer, with a free on-site assessment.

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On-Site
Tile Roof Retrofit

Extraction & Batts

1. Old blown-in removal via vacuum
2. Earthwool® batts install
ISO 9001 • 45001 • 14001
EEC Certified
Earthwool® ECOSE
50-Year Warranty
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Underfloor insulation specialists for Perth homes

Most newer Perth homes sit on a concrete slab, but many older houses do not. Federation and inter-war homes in suburbs like Mount Lawley, Subiaco, Fremantle and Guildford, along with timber homes in the Hills and homes on sloping blocks, often have suspended timber floors over a crawl space. Without insulation, these floors let heat escape in winter and let cold air in through every gap.

Perth winters are short, but clear nights often drop into single figures, and a raised timber floor with open air underneath can feel cold underfoot for the whole season. A well-insulated floor makes those rooms noticeably more comfortable and helps the heater do its job.

Our focus is retrofitting existing homes. We improve the thermal performance under:

  • Suspended floors and timber floorboards.
  • Joist structures.
  • Homes built on stumps, piers and raised footings.
  • Homes with an accessible crawl space.

To install underfloor insulation we need a crawl space of more than 600mm and underfloor access throughout the house. We use premium materials, including Knauf Earthwool batts, closed-cell polyurethane spray foam, underfloor insulation panels and polyester rolls, and we have narrowed the best options down to two: insulation batts and closed-cell spray foam.

Installer in protective gear spraying foam insulation under a raised timber floor
Installer in protective gear spraying foam insulation under a raised timber floor

Why underfloor insulation matters for suspended timber floors

Like wall and ceiling insulation, underfloor insulation acts as a barrier against heat gain and heat loss. The floor can account for about 15 to 25% of the heat lost from a home. Insulating it properly leads to real energy savings, lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint. An uninsulated suspended timber floor causes problems in several ways:

Heat loss and heat gain

Heat moves freely through an uninsulated floor. In winter, warmth escapes from the rooms above. In summer, heat from outside can enter through the timber floor.

Cold draughts through floorboards

Gaps and cracks between floorboards let cold air in, lowering room temperature and forcing your heater to work harder. Reducing this air infiltration and adding a thermal break is the main thing closed-cell spray foam fixes.

Moisture, damp and mould

Suspended floors, particularly in older buildings, can contribute to cold-weather moisture problems under the floor. Moisture makes a home feel colder and can lead to damp, mould and rot that affect the structure and indoor air quality without you seeing it.

Vermin entry points

Uninsulated timber floors can provide entry points and nesting areas for rodents and insects. Insulating the underside of the floor helps seal the gaps that pests use.

Higher energy costs

An uninsulated floor means your heating and cooling systems must work harder to keep the home comfortable, increasing energy use and costs.

Closed-cell spray foam underfloor insulation

Closed-cell spray foam is our top choice for underfloor insulation because it is applied directly to the underside of the floor and bonds to the structure. That gives:

  • Comprehensive airtightness.
  • Excellent heat retention.
  • Effective moisture management.
  • Sound dampening.
  • Added structural reinforcement.

How spray foam is installed under the floor

Trained professionals spray the foam directly onto the underside of the floorboards and between the joists, where it expands to fill air pockets and seal against air and moisture. It must be sprayed evenly and at the correct thickness for a consistent finish.

What to consider with spray foam

  • Cost: spray foam is about twice the price of batts, so it is the premium, long-term option.
  • Professional installation: the equipment and materials require skilled, experienced installers, and that is built into the cost.
  • Floorboard repairs: because the foam bonds to the underside of the floor, replace any damaged boards before it is applied.

Knauf Earthwool FloorShield underfloor batts

The Earthwool® FloorShield underfloor batt is made from resilient, silicone-coated glasswool with an ECOSE® glass veil facing that acts as a barrier against wind-wash, protecting the insulation from air moving beneath the floor. It is the market-leading batt for underfloor insulation and comes in a standard range of R-values.

  • High thermal performance.
  • Sound absorption for a quieter home.
  • Made from recycled glass and sand.
  • Non-combustible to AS1530.1.

How underfloor batts are installed

The batts are cut to size and fitted snugly between the floor joists, then secured so they cannot fall or shift over time. A tight fit matters, because gaps reduce the thermal performance of the floor.

What to consider with batts

  • Installation time: batts must be cut and fitted between each joist.
  • Gaps: poor installation leaves gaps that reduce effectiveness.
  • Settling: over time batts can shift or sag if not properly secured.

Choosing between batts and spray foam

Both options give strong thermal resistance. Batts are the more economical choice for an accessible, dry subfloor with standard joists. Spray foam costs more but adds air sealing and moisture control, which suits draughty floors and homes with damp or vermin issues. Your assessor will look at the crawl space, the floor structure and your budget before recommending one.

Glasswool batts fitted between floor joists under a suspended floor
Glasswool batts fitted between floor joists under a suspended floor
Closed-cell spray foam applied to the underside of timber floorboards
Closed-cell spray foam applied to the underside of timber floorboards
Spray foam insulation covering the underside of a raised floor between joists
Spray foam insulation covering the underside of a raised floor between joists
Earthwool FloorShield underfloor insulation pack and batt fitted between joists
Earthwool FloorShield underfloor insulation pack and batt fitted between joists
Spray foam insulation under a raised home supported on concrete piers
Spray foam insulation under a raised home supported on concrete piers
Insulated underside of a raised floor seen from the crawl space
Insulated underside of a raised floor seen from the crawl space
Crawl space beneath a raised floor fitted with underfloor insulation
Crawl space beneath a raised floor fitted with underfloor insulation

Book underfloor insulation in Perth

Insulation Extract has retrofitted more than 45,000 Australian homes since 2014 and keeps up to date with the latest underfloor products. With insulation under the floor, you get a warmer home in winter, a cooler home in summer and less strain on your heating and cooling all year. Call (08) 9302 2699 to book a free underfloor insulation assessment in Perth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Perth home suit underfloor insulation?

If your home has a suspended timber floor with a crawl space of more than 600mm and access underneath throughout the house, it is likely to suit. Homes on a concrete slab do not need underfloor insulation of this kind.

What types of underfloor insulation do you install?

Our two main options are Knauf Earthwool FloorShield batts and closed-cell polyurethane spray foam.

Is spray foam or batts better under the floor?

Spray foam seals draughts, manages moisture and adds rigidity, but costs about twice as much. Batts give good thermal performance at a lower cost but must be fitted carefully to avoid gaps. We will recommend the right option for your floor.

What happens if my floor is not insulated?

You can expect more heat loss and gain, cold draughts through the boards, possible damp and mould, easier entry for vermin and higher heating and cooling costs.

Should I fix my floorboards before spray foam is applied?

Yes. The foam bonds directly to the underside of the boards, so replace any damaged boards first. Otherwise the foam would need to be cut away to replace them later.

How does underfloor insulation lower energy bills?

It slows heat moving through the floor, so your heater and air conditioner do less work to keep rooms comfortable, which reduces energy use.