Australia is a country of vastly different terrains and climates. The hot tropics of the north are far removed from the snowy, alpine regions of the south.

It makes sense that one house design and type of insulating material wouldn’t suit every state; in cool climates you want to trap heat in, but in the tropics you want to keep the heat out. That’s why different wall and roof insulation options will suit different parts of the country.

In all cases, what you use will depend on the building regulations in your area. Make sure you check these out before building or renovating.

Here's a great map (thanks to YourHome) to show what climate region you live in:

Queensland

Queensland is largely hot and humid for most of the year. We can experience mild to cool winters, but it’s the subtropical summers that most people in the far north will want to prepare their houses for.

In warmer climates, the biggest need is to reduce heat gain and promote air flow. Reflective options works very well at preventing your home from holding and retaining heat, which helps to cool down the house interior. Just make sure there is a sufficient air layer for the reflective foil, this will help it work at its best.

Around Brisbane and southern Queensland, we can still experience colder winters, so having an insulation that can handle both extremes is the best way to make your home comfortable. Polyester Batts is the best option for this.

New South Wales & South Australia

NSW and SA experience similar temperatures and zones, with more mild and dry climates than Queensland, with colder winters towards the south. Areas like Sydney can still experience warm summers, so you will want an insulation that can handle both.

Houses in temperate climates need a balance, so combination-types may work the best. Foil backed batts are a great choice, as well as Polyester Batts, which provide all round thermal & acoustic benefits, repelling the heat of summer, keeping the warmth in winter and ensuring a quieter home environment.

Victoria

Victoria can experience more extreme winters, with a general mild temperate across the state. For this reason, Earthwool insulation is a good choice, as the mineral wool is great at trapping in heat, plus it’s very environmentally friendly.

Western Australia

Generally dry, hot and humid, WA requires similar housing insulating to Queensland. Reflective insulation works to keep the harsh heat out, while Polyester Batts provide a good balance for both hot and cold extremes.

Northern Territory

As it’s generally hot and humid in the Northern Territory, particularly around Darwin, Cellulose fibre is a great option as it is moisture resistant.

It also has the added bonus of being vermin and insect resistant, and fire resistant, which will give homeowners peace of mind in more extreme climates.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT is Australia’s smallest state and it can see some of the coldest temperatures. It’s generally cool temperate and in parts, alpine, which means that keeping your house warm will be your priority.

Houses in cooler climates benefit from bulk insulating like glass wool or loose-fill cellulose. These will work to trap heat in and help to reduce heating bills.

Tasmania

Tasmania, like the ACT, experiences more constant cold temperatures, so keeping houses warm is key.

A good way to trap more heat using bulk insulating materials is to use air and moisture barriers between the walls and by making sure all gaps are sealed properly.