Insuladd FAQs

Purchase Related FAQs	Answers to questions
Q: What value does Insuladd® add?	A: Insuladd® superior insulating paint additive reduces the demands placed on conventional insulation which may have been poorly installed or have deteriorated due to dampness or age. Insuladd® can be easily and inexpensively applied to walls and ceilings by adding it to paint. By slowing down the transfer of heat through the surface to which Insuladd® has been added, a home or building becomes increasingly more energy efficient, as less use of power driven heating and/or cooling devices is required to maintain a 'comfort zone'.
Q: How much does Insuladd® cost?	A: An Insuladd® pouch which mixes into 4 litres of paint retails in New Zealand for $64.95 (Incl GST). An Insuladd® Box which mixes into 20 litres of paint retails in New Zealand for $297.95 (Incl GST). Bulk quantities are subject to negotiation.
Q: Is painting with Insuladd a good investment?	A: Definitely. Insulating your home and doing it as effectively as possible is always a wise investment. Around 60% of heat loss and gain in a home (or building) is through the walls and ceilings, so insulating them can be one of the most cost effective ways to reduce the money being spent on running your power guzzling heating and cooling devices. Once applied, Insuladd® can make your living or work space temperature more comfortable naturally, and without the need to continiously run ones heaters or air conditioner. Energy wastage is like buying $100 worth of food from the supermarket, coming home and throwing $33 worth of food in the bin every time. You wouldn’t waste food like that, so why let the money you pay to run heating and cooling devices simply disappear through your walls and ceilings. Applying Insuladd® requires a low initial investment, but rapidly pays for itself in money saved.
Q: Has the market adopted the concept of an additive that provides insulating properties to paint?	Definitely. Insuladd is used around the world by multiple companies, institutions, and organisations. Over a 7 year period there have been over 100,000 applications of Insuladd®.
Q: Why have I never heard about insulating paint?	A: The insulating coatings industry is still a relative newcomer to the energy conservation marketplace. Insuladd® is a leader in this sector, operating in over 20 countries. Although well established in Australia, only recently has an agreement been signed to import Insuladd® directly into New Zealand. This is certainly a product that New Zealanders are going to be hearing more about in the future.
Q: Has Insuladd® been NZ certified?	Not as yet. The energy saving capabilities of Insuladd® cannot be accuratly measured and assessed using standard insulation test proceedures. Correct testing proceedures for this type of product will in due course become available to NZ testing institutions to initiate a 'local stamp of approval'. Insuladd® does not however require certification to be used only as an insulation 'supplementing' enhancement. >> See more here about the R-Value ratings relating to the Insuladd® product. It may also be worth noting that both paints and surfaces are similar in any part of the world. To give prospective resellers and end-users the confidence level required to embrace this progressive technology, one can evaluate the credentials of Insuladd® from the testing done by multiple credible authorities and organisations outside of New Zealand. These include testing conducted by the China Academy of Building Research (CABR), the Center for Energy-saving Research School of Architecture Huanan University of Science and Technology, the Redstone climate and environment Technical Test Center, Nevada University, Geosciences (USA), Roediger Analytical Laboratories (South Africa), Linde Gas (Singapore) etc. >> Access these tests
Q: How can I purchase Insuladd®?	A: Insuladd® will soon be available through retailers and painting contractors (listed in our supplier section). Current ordering can be done via the internet.
Product FAQ	Answers to questions
Q: What is Insuladd® paint additive?	A: Insuladd® Insulating Paint Additive is a Proprietary Ceramic microsphere that is able to reflect radiant heat waves. The additive is in the form of a super fine free flowing powder (like talcum powder), and is designed to mix into ordinary paints to create a reflective barrier on the surface to which it is painted. As heat is reflected away from the Insuladd®, the amount of heat energy able to be transferred through that surface is reduced.
Q: What is a ceramic microsphere?	A: Each microsphere is in essence a tiny ceramic ball, with an air vacuum inside, and with an outer coating that reflects radiated heat. As in a thermos flask, the shiny inner surface of the flask reflects heat radiated from a hot liquid back into the flask, whilst the air vacuum between the inner and outer surface limits the amount of heat that can be transferred via conduction.
Q: Who developed the technology?	A: Microspheres with insulating properties were originally conceptualized and developed by NASA as a way to insulate against the high temperatures encountered by the space shuttle on re-entry. This microsphere technology was further developed by David Page of The Tech Traders Company (now Insuladd®) through a joint effort with the NASA Technology Exchange Program. The insulating composite was formulated for commercial use, as an insulating additive that mixed into paint. See Report 1 featured on the NASA website; See Report 2 featured on the NASA website.
Q: Are all products on the market equal in their ability to reflect radiant heat?	Insuladd has a Patent Pending on its microsphere technology and is significantly more advanced than simply adding some form of ceramic, powder or microsphere to paint. In fact if it was as easy as adding an air filled microsphere to paint every paint manufacture in the world would surely be doing it.
Q: How do microspheres work when mixed in paint?	A: Conventional bulk (mass) insulation products only act in slowing down the conduction of heat that has already passed through the surface and into the space where the insulation resides. When mixed into paint, the tiny Insuladd® microspheres pull together as the paint dries and act as deflecting barriers to radiant heat that is passing through the paint. A percentage of the radiant heat transferring is therefore resisted or reflected before it can reach and penetrate the painted surface. This means less heat gets transferred through the actualsurface and into the cavity. It will be well worth your while to understand the 3 different heat transfer modes, and how these relate to the actual effectivness of different types of insulation products.
Q: What kind of paint should I use?	A: Insuladd® is a powder additive that can be mixed into almost any good quality interior or exterior paint. It is an inert product and will not affect the actual paint in any way.
Q: I live in a cold climate, will Insuladd® work for me?	A: Absolutely! Remember that heat always moves toward cold. The heat inside your home wants to escape toward the cold outside air. Adding the Insuladd® additive to your interior wall or ceiling paint will minimise the heat being transferred though the internal surface, prior to it even getting to the 'mass' insulation. Remember that mass insulation resides between the warm interior surface and cold exterior surface, so heat reaching the mass insulation continues moving through the mass insulation toward the cold surface, and through to the colder outside atmosphere. Using Insuladd®, the interior heat already within your home or work space is deflected back into the interior (and not through to the insulation)
Q: Do Insulating paints work in winter months?	A: Yes! The heat inside your home wants to escape toward the cold outside air! A surface painted with the Insuladd® additive creates deflecting barriers that reflect outward moving heat back into the interior. A warmer interior means that less reliance on power consuming heating devices is required to maintain a comfort zone. This will have a positive impact on your winter power bills.
Q: Should I use Insuladd® both inside and outside?	A: Not essential, but beneficial. For optimum energy efficiency it is best to use the Insuladd® additive both on the inside surfaces (will use heaters less in winter) and on the outside surfaces (less air conditioner usage in summer). However, either application alone will give an increased energy efficiency. You can always start with either the interior or exterior, and do the other at some later date.
Q: Can I paint over the Insuladd® at a later date?	A: Yes! It is is however more beneficial for the Insuladd® microspheres to be closer to the atmosphere, as this will maximise the microspheres reflecting capabilities.
Q: Does the additive contain harmful chemicals?	A: No! The Insuladd® ceramic additive is free of all volatile chemicals and toxins and is recognized as safe ("GRAS"), under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The additive is non-toxic, odor free, and environmentally friendly.
Q: Can I paint my attic with Insulating paint?	A: Absolutely! By restricting the amount of heat allowed into your attic you reduce the load on your existing insulation, making it more effective.
Q: Can the insulating additive be mixed into clear finishes?	A: The ceramics are not crystal clear and thus impart a slightly "milky" look when used with clear finishes. This is not so obvious on light colored roof shingles or wood stained finishes. Our best advice is to mix in the ceramics a little at a time until you reach a finish that is acceptable.
Q: Can this ceramic additive be used for deck paint or stain?	A: Yes! The insulating additive will help to keep decks cooler, and provide a slightly slip resistant surface.
Q: Can Insuladd® guarantee your utility bills will be cut by 20%, 30%, 40% or even 50%?	A: That would be unrealistic, as the results depend on how many areas of your home you apply insulating additive to. Other considerations to factor in include; amount of attic ventilation, amount of air infiltration into your home, type of roofing materials, existing insulation and so on. What can be guaranteed is, that for the low cost per sqm² it costs to add this insulating additive when painting, one will not find a better solution at the price to minimise heat transfer from walls and ceilings, and reduce high utility bills.
Q: Can Insuladd® reduce condensation?	A: Yes! Not only is Insuladd® a very effective energy saver, it can also dramatically reduce condensation problems. Insuladd® keeps the space to surface ratio more evenly balanced, reducing the formation of water droplets (condensation).
Q: Can Insuladd® reduce mould and mildew?	A: Yes! Mold spreads like any other living organism; it reproduces and grows in moist and damp areas. Where there's moisture, there's almost bound to be mold and mildew. INSULADD® basically eliminates the key factors involved in the spread of mold and mildew.
Q: Do ceramics keep paint from breathing?	A: No! A paint coatings ability to breathe is known as "Permeability" which is a measurement of the rate that water or vapor will pass through a membrane. The addition of INSULADD® microspheres (in the recommended 1:10 ratio) will not restrict a paint coatings ability to "breathe"
Q: Does Insuladd® additive have an effect on texture or colour?	A: The INSULADD® Additive will leave a very mild dusty-feeling texture to the surface to which it has been applied, but this will not visually affect most wall surfaces. The additive may also appear to lighten darker colours by one hue. The additive will 'flatten' the finish of the paint one degree (Gloss may appear more matt). For special finishes apply the coats with the additive under the finish coat. The additive is inert, and will not affect the chemical properties of the paint in any way.
Q: Where can Insuladd® paint additive be used?	A: Insuladd® insulating paint additive can be used almost anywhere you can apply paint. The uses are endless, and new uses are continuously being discovered. Insuladd® can be applied wherever you want to reduce heat loss or reduce heat gain.
Application FAQ	Answers to questions
Q: Is Insuladd® paint additive easy to use?	A: Yes! Insuladd® is extremely easy to use, its simply a matter of stirring it into your regular paint. It’s literally as easy as 1,2,3. Step 1 Empty contents of paint into a bucket. Step 2 Empty contents of Insuladd® into the same bucket Step 3 Mix together well, and apply to walls/ceilings/surfaces as you normally would.
Q: Will Insuladd® additive reduce paint coverage?	A: No! It does not reduce paint coverage
Q: How much Insuladd® do I need?	A: Theoretical coverage of the paint you will be using is specified by the manufacturer. As a guideline you can figure on an average coverage rate of 10 sq m per litre of paint for most house paints on smooth interior surfaces that need an improvement. The coverage rate for rougher or corrugated surfaces will be less. One pouch of Insuladd® mixes directly into 4 litres of paint. One box of Insuladd® mixes directly into 20 litres of paint. Rule of thumb is a 1:4 ratio of additive to paint.
Q: How many coats of paint should I apply?	A: For best results, 2 coats of paint with Insuladd® is recommended. When one factors in the 'heat maze' effect created by the addition of INSULADD®, anything more than 2 coats only gives a marginal increase in performance.
Q: How does Insuladd® additive get applied?	A: Paint containing Insuladd® additive can be applied with the usual methods of applying paint such as a brush, roller, paint pad or spray equipment.
Q: Can Insuladd® be sprayed?	A: Yes! But since Insuladd® is a powder additive, simply remove all filters from your spraying equipment or the insulating additive will be strained. It's also best to use a larger than normal spray tip. One can use any airless paint sprayer that will produce at least 2500 psi and support the tip sizes listed (.617-.62).
Q: How do I mix the ceramic additive into my Paint?	A: The ceramic microspheres are a very fine powder and blend into paint quite easily with a simple stirring using a paint paddle. Add the Insuladd Additive gradually to your paint while stirring to avoid clumping of the ceramic microspheres. Always stir your paint for a minute or two prior to commencing painting, and especially if the paint has been sitting for more then 2 hours since last used.
Q: Will the additive affect the paint's properties and adhesion?	A: Insuladd additive is inert, and will not affect the chemical or adhesion properties of the paint in any way.
Q: How should one add the additive into the paint?	A: When adding a ceramic powder additive to a full can of paint, do not add the powder directly into the can of paint. Use a plastic bucket or painter's can that is larger than the container of paint. (20%+ recommended) Gradually pour the paint and the powder into the plastic bucket stirring continuously to avoid clumping.
Q: How regularly should one mix the paint and additive?	A: If you leave the mixture sitting more than two hours for any reason, stir well to ensure that the additive is well blended. Most of the powder blends easily with paint; however, if left sitting you do need to stir the paint for a minute or so before resuming painting.
Q: How should surfaces be prepared?	A: Surfaces should always be prepared in accordance with the paint manufactures instructions. As with any painting project preparation, remove loose and peeling paint, sanding edges, prior to paint application. Walls should also be free of surface oils and rust stains and you should spot prime as necessary.
Q: How should an existing glossy surface be handled?	A: Enamel paints and other glossy surfaces develop an impermeable surface, which is very difficult for new paint to adhere to when applied over the glossy surface. In order for the insulated paint to give you the best performance, thoroughly sand the glossy surfaces prior to painting. Wipe clean with a damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Surfaces should always be prepared in accordance with the paint manufactures instructions.
Q: How should wood be handled?	A: If you are painting wood, always coat any wood end grain prior to painting. Furthermore, never coat wood when its moisture content is higher than 17%.