Why Install Between-Floor Insulation?

Should I insulate between the floors of a two-storey home?

When designing or upgrading a two-storey home, between-floor insulation can often be dismissed. However, adding insulation between levels offers a quieter, more comfortable home.

In this blog, we discuss why between-floor (or mid-floor) insulation is so important.

What is between-floor insulation?

Between-floor insulation is installed in the cavity between the ground and upper levels of the home. It sits between joists and helps to control sound and heat flow between the floors.

Is It Necessary to Insulate Between Floors?

Between-floor insulation offers two key benefits:

• Reduce sound transfer (acoustic benefits between floors)
  Insulation helps absorb noise, reducing the sound of footsteps, voices, TV and appliances, making it ideal for families or shared living spaces
• Improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency (thermal benefits between floors)
  It helps to maintain consistent indoor temperatures by limiting heat movement between floors. This improves overall home comfort and reduces energy use.

When is the best time to install between-floor insulation?

The most practical time to install between-floor insulation is during construction and before plaster. At this stage, the ceiling cavity is open and easy to access. Once plasterboard is installed, retrofitting insulation becomes expensive and more time-consuming and labour-intensive.

What type of insulation is best?

In Australia, glasswool, polyester, or rockwool batts are commonly recommended for between floors. For effective acoustic and thermal performance, aim for an R-value between R2.5 and R3.5.

Popular options available through Bowens include:

Pink® Batts Soundbreak™ Insulation
High‑performance acoustic insulation is designed to reduce noise between rooms in residential and commercial buildings.

Bradford™ SoundScreen™ Acoustic Insulation Batts
These acoustic insulation batts minimise sound transfer while maintaining thermal performance.

FirmaSoft™ Ceiling Insulation
This ceiling insulation provides reliable thermal performance with a low-dust formula.

Jeanius Underfloor Insulation Denim Batts
This sustainable underfloor insulation made from recycled denim delivers effective thermal control with low‑irritant installation.

Polyester Solutions Insulation Batts
These insulation batts offer consistent thermal and acoustic performance without glass fibres or added irritants.

Pink® Batts Underfloor Insulation
Underfloor insulation designed for suspended floors, helping improve energy efficiency and year‑round indoor comfort.

Bradford™ Optimo™ Underfloor Glasswool Insulation
Glasswool insulation for underfloors, engineered for strong thermal performance and long‑term durability.

Kingspan® Air‑Cell Permifloor® Underfloor Insulation
Reflective foil underfloor insulation is a 2-In-1 insulation and moisture management solution.

Bowens supplies a range of between-floor or mid-floor insulation to suit most situations, available online and in-store. We also supply ceiling, roof, and wall insulation batts and sarking to suit a wide range of applications.

Looking for external wall insulation? Read the blog, “Is Upgrading External Wall Insulation Worth it?” for more information.