When installing Cellulose Insulation in your homes. In the last few years, there has been a tendency to fit Down Light Cones over downlights. In our opinion, this is a danger to many home owner’s homes and lives.
When we install Roof Insulation products in homes, we always cut small breathing holes in the insulation for the heat of the downlight to dissipate. All downlights in the house must have breathing holes.
Even in homes with LED downlights, it is still essential to cut breathing holes. If the house is sold and the new owner decides to install the 40-watt downlight that will reach temperatures of up to 270degrees C. This can then become a serious fire hazard for the homeowners.
Why Do Down Light covers Cause Danger?
These covers fit over the downlights to prevent the insulation from burning can cause the light covers to burn. How this happens is plastic covers or metal covers trap the heat released from the downlights. This causes heat build-up under the light covers as well as inside the light covers. This heat build-up can eventually cause the plastic covers to burn. This, in turn, could cause a problem in the roof space and ultimately end up in flames.
Well, then one would think metal cones are better. This is not the case. The fact is these covers are lying on the electrical wiring. As these cones heat up, the potential for the cone to melt into the electrical wiring is very high. When the cones absorb enough heat, they can and will melt into the plastic covering the wiring. This, in turn, will cause a short circuit in the wiring and causes the wire to burn back to the DB box. Fortunately, most homes are fitted with an earth leakage switch. In most cases, these should trip the lights. However, if this does not happen, you have a big problem.
Down Light Cones For Cellulose Insulation
All cellulose Paper Insulation will need something to protect the finely shredded paper insulation from potentially burning in the roof space. For this reason, cones are fitted, separating the insulation from the downlight.
Many homeowners want to remove this pumped in cellulose fibre insulation from the roof space in the last few years. In most cases, it is because of water damage that homeowners want the paper insulation removed. As we know, the paper will absorb water that will eventually end up in expensive ceiling damage and or collapse.
What we have found in many cases is that the Cones fitted around the downlights have either poorly burnt over time. However, the frightening thing is as the burning has started, the cellulose has flooded into to cone, causing a potentially catastrophic situation in the home.
Cellulose is manufactured with up to a 25% chemical compound. As these chemicals dissipate over time and the cellulose paper insulation loses its fire retardancy, the potential for damaging fire in the roof is a real possibility. And the fact that cellulose smoulders can become a big problem.
Not All Roof Insulation Needs DownLight Cones
All roll from Roof Insulation Products does not require downlight cones of any sort as these insulation types can have a breathing hole cut through the insulation.
This is safer as the Roll Form Roof Insulation products do not shift with the wind in the roof space. This type of insulation is cut slightly wider than the beams and fits snugly, sealing off all heat and cold.
Isotherm Roof Insulation
Isotherm Roof Insulation is an eco-friendly polyester type Roof Insulation. This insulation is dust-free and allergy-free. Isotherm Roof Insulation will outlast the lifespan of most homes. Because this insulation has no hazardous chemicals or added fire retardants, it will never sustain a flame. Isotherm Roof Insulation does not require Down Light Cones as it is a roll form insulation.
Aerolite Roof Insulation
Aerolite Roof Insulation is also a roll form insulation. Aerolite Roof Insulation, or Think Pink Aerolite as it was called years ago, is still one of the most popular products on the market. Aerolite Roof Insulation has a class 1 fire rating. This insulation product will not burn. The 135mm Aerolite Roof Insulation is SANS compliant as per the new legislation. Aerolite Roof Insulation does also not need Down Light Cones.
Granric Roof Insulation
The Granric Roof Insulation is a glass wool Roof Insulation Product. The 135mm Granric Roof Insulation is SANS compliant as per the new legislation. The Granric Insulation will not burn with a class 1 fire rating. The Granric Thermal properties are excellent, with the highest R-value in its class. And as Granric Roof Insulation is a roll type insulation, it also does not require Down Light Cones.
What Are The Differences Between Roll Form Insulation and Cellulose?
- As Roof Insulation, they are both very competent as insulation.
- Our problem with cellulose is that the product is blown in, and there is no set standard. Blowing insulation into the roof, unfortunately, does not give an accurate thickness. In fact, in some places where the wind has not affected the insulation, we find varying degrees of thickness. It is impossible to give the exact thickness when blowing the insulation. However, the biggest problem we see when we remove the insulation for roll form is that the fierce winds affect cellulose. Unfortunately, cellulose insulation absorbs water if there is a roof leak or a burst geyser. This can be costly as most of them end up with a ceiling collapse.
- On the other hand, Roll Form Insulation is cut slightly wider than the beams and is rolled out between beams. This means a tight, snug fit, and the Roof Insulation is evenly installed throughout the home. Roll form insulation does not absorb water, so there will most likely be no ceiling collapse if a roof leak appears.