Insulation Building Codes & Rules

- Enhance building comfort with Tools™! View thermal insulation rules with NCC compliance, including climate zone R-values, and more, for efficient construction.

Windows

Must be sealed to restrict air infiltrations^[1]

Window SEALING

NCC 2022 V2

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.4.4 [2019: 3.12.3.3]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (1) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (1) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (3)

Openable Windows to be fully sealed when serving
Conditioned space^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (1) (a)}
Habitable rooms in Climate Zones 4 to 8^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (1) (b)}
Seal Types
Bottom Edge with Draft Protection device^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2) (a)}
Compressible Strip or Fibrous seal for other edges^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2) (b)}
Windows meeting air infiltration rates of AS 2047 are exempted from seal requirements^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (3)}

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2)

Must be sealed to restrict air infiltrations^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.4 (2)}

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 NT (2) (c) (ii)

≥ 15°^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 NT (2) (c) (ii)}

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 NT (2) (d) (iii)

NT - Fully Shaded Wall

≥ 15° angle from FFL to overhanging Eaves, fixed sunshade, Balcony, or the like^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 NT (2) (d) (iii)}

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (1) (b)

Bulkheads

Insulate equal to the ceiling^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (1) (b)}

Attached Garage

null

Roof

Lighter colour require less insulation^[1]
Thermal Break
R ≥ 0.2 in between Metal parts^[2]
Climate Zones 1 to 5
≤ 0.64 Solar Absorptance^[3]

Roof Reflective Insulation RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.3 [2019: 3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (c)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)

Roof & Ceiling Insulation to achieve minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (a)}
≤ .05 Surface Emittance^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (b)}
≥ 20mm distance from Roof space^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2) (c)}
Climate Zone 3 to 8^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)}
Downward facing
Rules above does not apply to Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)}

Metal-Framed Roof Thermal Bridging Methods

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.3 [2019: 3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3) (b)

Pitched Roof with Horizontal Ceiling^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)}
Achieve Total R-Value, or
R 0.5 additional Insulation between Frames from Roof & Ceiling Insulation ≥ R-Value, or
≥ R 0.13 add Continuous Insulation Layer above or below the Ceiling Joists or Truss Bottom Chords, or
R 0.5 top layer should be positioned to cover the Metal parts when stacking Insulation
Flat, Skillion, or Cathedral Roof^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3) (a)}
Achieve Total R-Value, or
Comply with Thermal Bridging Mitigation
Rules above does not apply to Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3) (b)}

Bulk Insulation RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP 13.2.2 [2019: 3.12.1.1]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (3) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (3) (b)

Position & thickness maintained, except for^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (3) (a)}
Roof battens
Water pipes
Electrical cables & similar elements
≥ 50mm overlap in external Walls^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.2 (3) (b)}

Reducing Roof & Ceiling Insulation Near External Walls

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.3 [2019:3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (6)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (4)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (5)

Exceptions to required Ceiling Insulation R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (6)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (2)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (3)} near External Walls^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (4)}
R-Value 3.0 to 4.5
450mm from an External Wall, Ceiling Insulation can be reduced to R 3.0
R-Value > 4.5
450mm from an External Wall, Ceiling insulation can be reduced to R 3.0
All other required Ceiling Insulation must be increased by R 0.5
Rules above does not apply to Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (5)}

Compensating for Reduced Ceiling Insulation RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.3 [2019: 3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (5)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)

Compensate when a Ceiling insulation is reduced due to functional elements or safety concerns using Adjusted Ceiling Insulation R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (5)}
Rules above does not apply to Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)}

Roof & Ceiling Insulation RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.3 [2019: 3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)

Roof & Ceiling insulation to comply with a minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (1)}requirement according to type of construction, Climate Zone, Roof type & number of storey
Pitched Roof with Horizontal Ceiling
Flat, Skillon or Cathedral Roof
Metal-framed Pitched Roof

Metal Roof Thermal Break Requirement RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.3 [2019:3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)

Metal roofing that requires a Thermal Break^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7)}
Metal sheet roofing directly fastened to Metal supports^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (a)}
No Ceiling lining
Ceiling Lining directly attached to the Metal supports
R ≥ 0.2 materials installed between the Metal roofing & its Metal supports^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (b)}
Rules above does not apply to Roofs constructed using insulated sandwich panels^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (8)}

Roof Insulated Sandwich Panels RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.3 [2019: 3.12.1.2]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (9)

Achieve minimum Total R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (9)} for Roof constructed with Insullated Sandwich Panels according to the Table below

NSW 2023 BASIX, Energy

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (9)

Lighter colour require less insulation^{NSW 2023 BASIX, Energy}
Thermal Break
R ≥ 0.2 in between Metal parts^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (7) (b)}
Climate Zones 1 to 5
≤ 0.64 Solar Absorptance^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.3 (9)}

Building Sealing

Concrete Slab

Insulation for Slab on Ground RULES

NCC 2022 V5

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (a) (i)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (a) (ii)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (b) (i)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (4)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b) (i)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (7)

Standard Concrete Slabs excluding Waffle-Pods^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5)}
Climate Zones 6 & 7
R ≥ 0.64 Slab Edge^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (a) (i)}
R ≥ 0.64 Under Slab^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (a) (ii)}
Climate Zone 8
R ≥ 1.0 Slab Edge^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (b) (i)}
R ≥ 2.0 Under Slab^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (5) (b) (ii)}
Insulation for Heated & Cooled Slabs for all climates
R ≥ 1.0 Slab Edge^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (4)}
≥ 300mm depth or full depth of Slab Edge perimeter^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b) (i)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b) (ii)}
Water-resistant material^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (a)}
Installed continuously from FFL^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (6) (b)}
Bathroom Exception^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (7)}
Heating & Cooling Systems solely in bathrooms or similar areas are exempted from perimeter insulation requirement

Metal-Framed Floor Thermal Bridging Methods

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (3) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (3) (b)

Achieve the total R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (3) (a)} depending on the Floor type
Suspended Floor above enclosed Subfloor, or
Other Floors calculate according to AS/NZS 4859.2, or
Use options in Thermal Bridging for Metal-framed Suspended Floor^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (3) (b)}

Floor Insulation RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (1)

Achieve minimum R-Value of Floor insulation where the Floor is over an Unenclosed Space according to type of Climate Zones^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (1)}

Floor & Subfloor Wall Insulation Climate Zone 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (d)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (e)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (f)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (g)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (h)

Achieve minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2)} of Floor & Subfloor insulation where the Floor is over an Enclosed Subfloor space according to the following considerations^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (d)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (e)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (f)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (g)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (h)}
Subfloor Wall height
Reflective Insulation
Minimum Insulation R-Values of
Subfloor Wall
Suspended Floor

Wall

Climate Zones 1 to 5
≤ 0.7 Solar Absorptance^[1]
Climate Zone 3
R ≥ 1.5^[2]

Insulation for External Lighweight Construction Walls RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.5 [2019: 3.12.1.4]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (2)

External Wall in Lightweight construction to have minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (2)} requirement according to Climate Zone, Solar Absorption, Overhang, Wall Height & number of Storeys

Metal-framed Wall Thermal Break Requirement RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP Part 13.2.5 [2019: 3.12.1.4]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (6)

Exterior Metal-framed Walls requiring Thermal Break^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5)}
No Wall Lining^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5) (a)}
Linings directly attached to the Metal Frame^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5) (b)}
Cladding of Weatherboards, Fibre-cement & the like^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5) (b)}
R ≥ 0.2 materials installed between Cladding & Metal Frame^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (5)}
Walls constructed using Insulated Sandwich Panels are exempted^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (6)}

Metal-Framed Wall Thermal Bridging Methods

NCC 2022 V3

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.5 [2019: 3.12.1.4]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (4) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (4)

Thermal Bridging in a Metal-framed wall to be achieved according to type of construction^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (4) (b)}
Concrete Block Walls with Internal Lining
Lightweight Construction
Masonry Veneer, or
Choose one of the pre-defined solutions for External Wall for Thermal Bridging Mitigation^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (4)}

Insulation for External Walls RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 HP 13.2.5 [2019: 3.12.1.4]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (1)

Wall insulation to comply with a minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (1)} requirement according to Climate Zone, Solar Absorption, Overhang, Wall Height & number of Storeys, excluding
External walls of sub-floor space
Lightweight Wall constructions

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (3)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (1) (c)

Climate Zones 1 to 5
≤ 0.7 Solar Absorptance^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (3)}
Climate Zone 3
R ≥ 1.5^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.5 (1) (c)}

Roof Light

≤ 5% of served room Floor Area^[1][2]
Light-transmitting elements
Total System Performance of SHGC^[3][4]
≤ U3.9 U-Value^[5][6]

Roof Light Building Sealing Energy Efficiency RULES

NCC 2022 V4

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 HP 13.2.4 & J4D5 [2019: 3.12.1.3 & J1.3]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (1)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (i)

Comply with Thermal Performance requirements
≤ 5% Area determined by the Floor Area of the served Room^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.4.3 (1)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)}
Transparent & translucent elements with a combined Total System Performance of SHGC
≤ U3.9 U-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)}
Total System SHGC^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (a)NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (ii)}, see Table below
Must be sealed to restrict air infiltrations^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (i)}

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (i)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (ii)

≤ 5% of served room Floor Area^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (a)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (i)}
Light-transmitting elements
Total System Performance of SHGC^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.4 (b) (ii)NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (a)}
≤ U3.9 U-Value^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (i)NCC 2022 Vol 1, J4D5 (b) (ii)}

Subfloor

Climate Zone 1^[1]
R ≥ 1.5
Climate Zone 2^[2]
R 0.5 to 1.5 (Refer to table)
Climate Zone 3^[3]
R ≥ 0.5

Subfloor Wall Insulation Climate Zone 1, 2 & 3 RULES

NCC 2022 V1

1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (c)

Achieve minimum R-Value of Subfloor Wall insulation where the Floor is over an Enclosed Subfloor space according to different reuirements depending on Climate Zone
Climate Zone 1^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (a)}
R ≥ 1.5
Climate Zone 2^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (b)}
See Table below
Climate Zone 3^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (c)}
R ≥ 0.5

Floor & Subfloor Wall Insulation Climate Zone 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 RULES

NCC 2022 V3

Class 1 & 10a

NCC 2022 Part 13.2.6 [2019: 3.12.1.5]

May 2023

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (d)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (e)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (f)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (g)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (h)

Achieve minimum R-Value^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2)} of Floor & Subfloor insulation where the Floor is over an Enclosed Subfloor space according to the following considerations^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (d)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (e)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (f)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (g)NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (h)}
Subfloor Wall height
Reflective Insulation
Minimum Insulation R-Values of
Subfloor Wall
Suspended Floor

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (a)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (b)

NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (c)

Climate Zone 1^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (a)}
R ≥ 1.5
Climate Zone 2^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (b)}
R 0.5 to 1.5 (Refer to table)
Climate Zone 3^{NCC 2022 HP, 13.2.6 (2) (c)}
R ≥ 0.5