Renovate or Rebuild – Season 2

The incredible design show Renovate or Rebuild returns for Season 2 and is showcasing many stunning residential projects around Australia, including several homes featuring our leading insulated wall and roof panelling.

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Traditional vs Insulated Roofing Panels: DIY considerations for outdoor patios

The Australian outdoor living lifestyle is the envy of the world, with our climate ranging from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Whether you live in Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, or anywhere in between, outdoor living and entertaining is a part of the Australian way of life.

However, when it comes to entertaining family and friends, no one wants their days ruined by rain or hot summer heat.

Constructing a patio is one of the most popular home renovation or DIY projects a homeowner can undertake when creating an outdoor living space—to not only design the perfect outdoor living area that protects you from unpredictable weather, but also improve your home value.  

But before embarking on your patio journey, take the time to consider what materials you’ll use, for a home improvement that will last the test of time.

One way to tick all the boxes is to use insulated roofing panels over a traditional roof build, which can provide long-term benefits not only for comfort and sustainability, but also for overall aesthetics.  

Insulated roofing panels offer comfort

Unlike traditional roof sheets, insulated roofing panels offer an all-in-one solution comprising a steel roof exterior, an insulated core, with a pre-finished ceiling underside—all in the one panel.

That means insulated roofing panels offer superior thermal performance, keeping your outdoor area cooler in Australia’s hot summer months, as well as warmer in the chillier winter months.

Traditional steel roof sheets will require additional insulation to achieve the same result.  

Insulated roofing panels offer long spans 

The long spans available when you install insulated roofing panels significantly reduce structural framing requirements. This creates a more open living area, offering a wider uncluttered feeling of space for entertaining.

Long spans and reduced support structures also allow for high patio designs and lower pitches for skillion, free standing, and fly over patio designs.

Insulated roofing panels offer ease of installation

For DIY enthusiasts and patio installers alike, it’s the speed and ease of installation that insulated roof panels offer that can be one of the major deciding factors. These prefabricated panels are lightweight and offer speed of construction as the panels can be lifted and locked into place, eliminating the need for more traditional labour-intensive processes.

Traditional patio builds can typically take three times as long and will require a few different trades and individual processes including mesh, insulation, and roof sheet application.

Insulated roofing panels are low maintenance

Insulated roof panels also lock together to create a watertight seal above and aesthetic good looks from below. This not only provides an aesthetic finish but also improves durability to Australia’s harsh climate and reduces maintenance for the family.

As the panels are an all-in-one roof, insulation, and ceiling product there is no need for painting or plastering, minimising maintenance over the longer term.

Homeowners across Australia are impressed with the insulation properties, large span of panels, and overall look and aesthetics of insulated roof panels, plus the great value it will add to their homes.

Choosing the right insulated roofing panel

Manufactured in Australia to Australian conditions, Bondor’s SolarSpan® & InsulRoof® are Australia’s leading insulated roof panels ideal for insulated patios, insulated pergolas, verandas, decks, carports, garages, and homes.

Perfect for low pitch flat patio roofs at 2 degrees, SolarSpan® is Australia’s leading insulated roofing panel offering long-spans, low pitch, and high thermal efficiency to satisfy Section J requirements that are perfect for patios and outdoor living applications.

InsulRoof® has a popular corrugated profile with an industry leading 19mm high rib for better handling of rainfall and limited to roofing applications above a 5 degree roof slope.

Codemark approved and conforming to Australian Standards, SolarSpan® and InsulRoof® feature a COLORBOND® steel exterior roof, EPS-FR rigid insulation core with a pre-finished COLORBOND® ceiling underside in a variety of profiles and colours to maximise creative expression.

Both SolarSpan® and InsulRoof® are available in DIY Patio Kits that are perfect for the DIY enthusiast or patio installer.

To find a patio dealer or installer, to ask us a question or enquire about a quote please visit: https://solarspan.com.au/

Save the planet: Turn off your air conditioner

What sacrifices are you prepared to make to save the planet? For Australia to achieve net zero and reduce carbon footprint, a significant change in the way we live is required.
 
What if you could do your part without having to compromise on personal comfort, like turning your air conditioner on during a hot Australian summer?
 
We need to think differently about energy consumption and what drives it. Nothing short of a long-term adjustment in attitude and philosophy is required.
 
Our latest whitepaper focuses on some ways the construction industry can reduce its emissions. Want to keep the conversation going about how the built environment and construction industry can help save our planet?

Download our whitepaper now.

Environmental Product Declaration

Bondor has partnered with leading sustainability consulting firm Edge Environment to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for our suite of products. As Australia’s leader in the manufacture and supply of a wide variety of insulated roof and wall panels we are proud of the critical role our products play in sustainable construction, and wanted to better understand the carbon footprint of our products, from cradle to gate with additional options including end of life. Through our strong relationships within the national construction industry, it was also identified that developers, asset owners and their project delivery partners want a better understanding of the construction materials used in their projects, and view favourably those manufacturers who have a demonstrated transparency and a commitment to environmental awareness. A key moment in our own sustainability journey, we are proud to deliver these EPDs and invite you to download and use them to support your sustainability goals

EPD Insulated Wall Panels with non-combustible Mineral Wool

FlameGuard - Dockers, WA

This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides a detailed account of the environmental footprint for Bondor’s range of Australian made insulated wall panels with non-combustible Mineral Wool core. This EPD is based on Life Cycle Assessment with ISO 14025 and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and provides a comprehensive scope of cradle to gate (with options). The declared unit is 1m2 of insulated panel.

INCUDED PRODUCTS IN THE EPD
Equitilt FlameGuard®
LuxeWall FlameGuard®

EPD Insulated Roof and Wall Panels with a Fire-Retardant EPS

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, DECEMBER 31, 2019: Bicentennial Conservatory at Botanic garden in Adelaide, Australia

This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides a detailed account of the environmental footprint for Bondor’s range of Australian made insulated wall & roof panels with fire retardant EPS-FR core. This EPD is based on Life Cycle Assessment with ISO 14025 and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and provides a comprehensive scope of cradle to gate (with options). The declared unit is 1m2 of insulated panel.

INCUDED PRODUCTS IN THE EPD
BondorPanel®
DesignerWall®
LuxeWall®
InsulWall®
Equitilt®
SolarSpan®
Solaris Ridge®
Equideck®
InsulRoof®
Solaris Corro®
CoolRoof®

EPD Insulated Roof and Wall Panels with PIR Core

Inspire - Narellan, NSW

This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides a detailed account of the environmental footprint for Metecno’s range of Australian made insulated wall & roof panels with fire resistant PIR core. This EPD is based on Life Cycle Assessment with ISO 14025 and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and provides a comprehensive scope of cradle to gate (with options). The declared unit is 1m2 of insulated panel.

INCUDED PRODUCTS IN THE EPD
MetecnoPanel®
MetecnoInspire®
MetecnoSpan®
EconoClad®

EPD Rigid Insulation Board with PIR Core

Rigid Panel (2)

This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides a detailed account of the environmental footprint for Metecno’s range of Australian made rigid insulation board with fire resistant PIR core. This EPD is based on Life Cycle Assessment with ISO 14025 and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and provides a comprehensive scope of cradle to gate (with options). The declared unit is 1m2 of rigid insulation board.

INCUDED PRODUCTS IN THE EPD
MetecnoTherm®

Handling & Storage of Mineral Wool Insulated Panels

Mineral Wool (MW) panels have different characteristics to other core type panels. One of these differences is in handling and storage of panels on site. Installation crews may be very experienced with traditional insulated panels however some of the practices used for handling these panels are UNACCEPTABLE when handling MW panels.

Watch this helpful video to learn the correct method for handling and installing MW panels.

Site Storage of panels

Upon delivery to site the packs of MW panels must be stored on a flat, level and stable surface, preferably concrete

Packs of MW panels must be stored to ensure the panels do not get wet. The factory wrapping may not be adequate to ensure the panels remain completely dry so additional protection should be used, preferably store the panels indoors.

When lifting packs of MW panels by forklift always lift at the marked lifting points.

Separating the top panel from the stack

When separating the top MW panel from a pack of MW panels one end of the panel should be slid slightly to one side of the pack. This enables workers to lift the end of the MW panel by gripping under the bottom skin of the panel.

Never lift a MW panel by the top skin only.

Lifting equipment

Selection of the correct equipment to lift and install the MW panels is dependent upon several factors;

  • Length and thickness of the MW panels to be lifted,
  • Landing location of the MW panels above/below floor level,
  • Any rough terrain/sloping surface etc that the lifting equipment will need to travel on and,
  • General accessibility of the site.

This is not an exhaustive list and individual site requirements must be considered in equipment selection.

The correct vacuum lifter must have multiple suction heads. The use of vacuum lifters with a single suction head is not recommended.

Vacuum Lifter Equipment in Australia

Once the correct vacuum lifter has been sourced and correctly located onto the MW panel one end of the panel must be slid slightly to one side of the remaining MW panels in the pack. The panel to be lifted with the vacuum lifter must then be manually lifted enough to break the suction between the MW panels before the vacuum lifter takes the panel weight.

Correctly locating of vacuum lifter on the panel

Correctly locating the vacuum lifter on the MW panel will help avoid damage to the panel.

The suction heads of the vacuum lifter should be located 70% of the length of the panel from what will become the bottom of the panel when the panel is in the vertical position.

When a vacuum lifter with extension arms is used the 70% distance is measured from what will be the bottom of the panel to what will be the lowest suction heads when the panel is in the vertical position.

Carefully conduct a test lift to confirm the vacuum lifter is in the correct location.

Jerking or sudden lifting of the vacuum lifter is to be avoided as this raises the risk of the top skin separating from the core of the panel.

Potential consequences

The key to the successful use of MW panels is to ensure the panel core remains completely dry and securely glued to the steel skins.

Incorrect handling or storage of MW panels can result in delamination or creasing of the panel.

Are You Ready For NCC2022?

In Australia, the residential sector is a big consumer of energy – in fact 57 percent of emissions from the building sector come from housing and apartments and 40 percent of that is related to heating and cooling.

But the changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 aim to go beyond reducing the environmental impacts. In recent times much of Australia has experienced extreme weather conditions and the ability of our homes to provide comfortable living conditions, without fully relying on air-conditioning, has gained more attention – focusing on improved occupant comfort, reduced energy wastage and improved resilience to extreme weather.

Register here to receive a copy of Are You Ready NCC2022?

World-First: Secure End Lap Insulated Roof Solution

SecureLap roofing panel in a Queensland construction site

Australia is leading the world with Bondor’s new innovation in end lap protection with SecureLap by Bondor providing building occupants and roofing contractors with the assurance that their PIR insulated roof is sealed effectively from the harsh Australian conditions and high rainfall especially with ‘low pitch’ long spanning roof runs.

Current sheet-to-sheet end-laps that are acceptable in other parts of the world have caused frustration and complications throughout Australia’s commercial roofing industry. These complications see leaking roof laps in several shopping complexes around Australia and are often very difficult to rectify. Confusion also exists around material warranties, who covers what and for how long.

SecureLap® is the answer to the “low cost focus”, driven by today’s market realities where a simplistic approach to connecting long panel roof runs over one purlin (rather than two with expansion steps), are required. Bondor developed SecureLap® as a unique lapping solution for local conditions. This was achieved through industry wide feedback and consultation, extensive in-house product development and rigorous weather testing to Australian Standards (conducted by CSIRO).

For more information on how SecureLap® can provide watertight security and warranty confidence to your next project, download the brochure or contact your nearest Bondor Australia office.