Pink Batts & Earthwool · the quote question · Brisbane & SE QLD
After a Pink Batts or Earthwool quote in Brisbane?
No, we can’t quote those — we don’t install them. Fibreglass is too itchy for our installers to work in day after day. The fibre is also finer than most people picture. The 1990 national code put 10–20% of glasswool fibre under 3 microns across — the respirable size that rides the air deep into a lung — on a product spun at a nominal 5–8 microns (National Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:2006(1990)], Schedule 3 §7, printed p.42) ↗. Today’s “bio-soluble” glasswool is spun finer again, a nominal 3–5 microns (Knauf Insulation Glasswool SDS, Australia, rev 3.0, 30/07/2020, section 9 — “Nominal diameter of fibres 3 - 5 μm”) ↗. Finer fibre puts more of the product under that 3-micron line, not less.
What we will quote: polyester battsif you must have batts — or our own Cellulose Fibre Insulation, pumped in as one seamless blanket. Neither of the products we recommend has a particle size that can be breathed deep into your lungs, unlike the under-3-micron share of a glasswool batt above. Fixed price, worked out online, no one comes out to inspect or measure — tell us your address and we’ll email a proper quote within 48 hours.
Fibreglass batts, laid with gaps opening up along every seam. What you’re quoted on the bag isn’t always what ends up in your roof.
Before you get any batt quote
Read this before anyone quotes you bio-soluble glasswool batts.
Bio-soluble means the fibre dissolves faster once it's already in your lung. It says nothing about how much of it gets in there. Every figure below comes off the manufacturers' own paperwork or the national code, with the page number beside it.
Today’s batts are spun finer, not coarser
The national code measured glasswool at a nominal 5 to 8 microns and put 10 to 20 per cent of the fibre under 3 microns across, which is fine enough to be breathed deep into a lung and far too fine for your eye to pick up (National Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:2006(1990)], Schedule 3 §7, printed p.42) ↗. That figure was written in 1990 and has never been updated. Knauf’s current Australian safety data sheet has the fibre finer again at a nominal 3 to 5 microns (Knauf Insulation Glasswool SDS, rev 3.0, 30/07/2020, section 9) ↗. The regulator has published no updated percentage for the finer product. What the same government toxicology sources do say is that the thinner the fibre, the more of it reaches the deep lung.
The low-irritant claim has a two-minute test
The manufacturers say these fibres are “not classified as irritant” (CSR Bradford Safe Use Information Sheet, §11, p.6) ↗. Reckon fibreglass batts are low-irritant? Go down to Bunnings and rub your bare arm on an open pack, then decide whether that word fits. The bloke selling it doesn’t have to live under it. You find out what it’s really like once it’s in your roof, which is far too late. Or buy something that was never itchy in the first place. Our Cellulose Fibre Insulation is a plant fibre. Polyester batts are the same polyester that’s already in your doona and your pillows, so you know what you’re putting above the bedrooms.
Discomfort is a documented handling effect
The manufacturers’ own documents say unprotected exposure to dust from this product during installation or removal “may cause discomfort of the nose, throat, and upper and lower respiratory tract, especially in persons suffering from upper respiratory or chest complaints such as hay fever, asthma or bronchitis” (CSR Bradford Safe Use Information Sheet, §6) ↗. This may matter more for people with asthma, bronchitis or other breathing issues — more detail on our best insulation for asthma page.
Brand names, used descriptively
Pink Batts® and Earthwool® are registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers (Fletcher Insulation and Knauf). We’re not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by either brand — we’re naming the products people ask us to price so we can explain what we install instead.
Cellulose Fibre Insulation, measured the other way
When the National Toxicology Program (part of the NIH) generated dust from four American cellulose fibre products the way an install generates it, less than 0.1 per cent of it was of a size that could be breathed into the lung. That fraction held no cellulose fibre at all — it was fire retardant and clay. That does not make a cellulose fibre job a clean-air job: the same report found total dust over the American limit on some sites, which is why my crew wears the same respirator on our own product that we wear on somebody else’s (NTP TOX-74, plain-language summary p.5) ↗.
You cannot see your exposure to these particles. That is what lets the product be talked down — the manufacturer’s own current safety data sheet calls bio-soluble glass mineral wool a nuisance dust (Knauf Insulation Glasswool SDS, rev 3.0, 30/07/2020, sections 4 and 8 — “Biosoluble glass mineral wool is generally considered to be a nuisance dust”) ↗. Their own documents also prove it is there: the fibre diameter in section 9, the respirable definition in section 8, the respirator they tell their own installers to wear. If a builder had asked whether you wanted glass particles in your roof for your family to breathe in, most people would have paid the bit extra for a product that did not have them. Especially when there is a better option sitting on the same price list.
For the full breakdown — the respirable-fibre table, the itch, the silica question and the IARC classification history — read are fibreglass batts safe? before you decide. Or see the numbers on exactly how much of that fibre can end up in your house on fibreglass dust in your home.
Our position, since 1986
The insulation we put in our own family's roofs.
We manufacture Cellulose Fibre Insulation at our own factory in Tiaro. It's what goes into our own homes. Polyester batts are the other product we're happy to put our name on.
We’ve never willingly sold fibreglass batts to anyone. Plenty of builders have insisted on them over the years because they’re cheap and because a bigger order off one supplier sharpens their price. It was never our recommendation. It’s not a product we’ll put our installers into a hot roof cavity with. The itch is the part everyone knows. The part fewer people know is the share of the fibre that sits under 3 microns, small enough to breathe deep into a lung without ever seeing it — measured at 10 to 20 per cent of the coarser glasswool of 1990 and never re-measured since, on a product that has only got finer.
“I don’t smoke, and I care about my lungs, so I don’t wish to have fibreglass particles being inhaled into my lungs, whether they hurt me or not.”
If you feel the same way about what floats around your house, there are two products with no particle size that can be breathed deep into your lungs: Cellulose Fibre Insulation (a plant fibre) and polyester batts. We quote both, with real numbers, so you can pick between them below.
Three products, two prices
Fibreglass, polyester or Cellulose Fibre Insulation — the three ways to insulate a Brisbane ceiling.
Guide prices are per square metre plus GST, supplied and installed. Your fixed quote depends on roof type, R-value and access.
Pink Batts®, Earthwool® or other fibreglass
No price from us — we don’t quote it
- Probably the cheapest insulation on the market
- No training is required to install it — it's sold DIY at Bunnings, you can literally put it in yourself, and companies aren't obliged to have any training to install it either
- why we don’t install it: the 1990 national code for synthetic mineral fibres put 10–20% of glasswool fibre under 3 microns across, the width that lets a fibre ride the air deep into a lung, on a product spun at a nominal 5–8 microns (National Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:2006(1990)], Schedule 3 §7, printed p.42) ↗
- the fibre has got finer since, not coarser. Knauf’s current Australian safety data sheet puts today’s bio-soluble glasswool at a nominal 3–5 microns (Knauf Insulation Glasswool SDS, Australia, rev 3.0, 30/07/2020, section 9) ↗. Finer fibre is less itchy on the skin. It also puts more of the product under that 3-micron line, which is the trade-off nobody mentions at the checkout
- the manufacturers’ own safety sheet says a P1, P2 or N95 respirator is appropriate where dust builds up in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space, which is exactly what a roof is (CSR Bradford Safe Use Information Sheet, §8) ↗
- No transferable life-of-house guarantee — the manufacturer's product warranty only
Read the full picture on our fibreglass safety page and see how the products stack up on gaps, fire, rats and settling.
Polyester batts
$28–$45 /m² + GST
- The batt we're happy to quote and install — a bonded polyester fibre, the same family of material as a pillow, not a loose inhalable dust
- Cut and fitted to every bay in your roof — like any batt, the fitting quality decides how well it performs
- No itch for the people installing it and no respirable glass fibre left behind for the next tradesman who goes up there
More on the product on our polyester batts guide.
Cellulose Fibre Insulation
$35–$55 /m² + GST
Modern Plant Fibre Insulation, made from recycled paper and treated with borate: boric acid and borax. We manufacture it ourselves at our factory in Tiaro and pump it into your roof as one seamless blanket.
- Pumped in with full contact across every inch of the ceiling — no gaps
- under 0.1% of the dust generated is respirable size. The NIH found that fraction held no cellulose fibre in it. That was measured on four American products, which used aluminium and sodium sulphate as well as boric acid, so read it as a measure of the material rather than of our bag (NTP TOX-74, NIH — four US cellulose products, 2006) ↗
- Our fire retardant is boric acid and borax — both of them borates — and never sodium or ammonium sulphate. We make it in Tiaro. In Peter’s own words: “To my knowledge, I’ve never known of any manufacturer in Australia who’s ever used sodium or ammonium sulphate. As a manufacturer, I’m in a position to know more than most people, but certainly our company’s never used it, and no other company that I know of trading has used it. A lot of the manufacturers are friends of mine, and we’ve discussed it.” The overseas ammonium-salt story is on does Cellulose Fibre Insulation off-gas. You’re welcome to ask us for the formulation and the safety data sheet
- Insects won't live in it, so there's no food for rats
- Carries a transferable Comfort Zone Life-of-House Guarantee
See the full case on our Cellulose Fibre Insulation page or why we recommend it.
Jessa B.
Brisbane
“It dropped about 4 degrees straight away, and we added another 3 with the second job. I appreciate Peter's honesty, and the team showed pictures before and after.”
Iain V-B.
Brisbane
“Quick and polite service. Great follow-up advice and photos sent for our records. Above and beyond what we expected. Would highly recommend.”
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
As a guide: polyester batts run $28–$45 /m² + GST and Cellulose Fibre Insulation runs $35–$55 /m² + GST, supplied and installed — the exact figure depends on your roof type, the R-value you’re after and how hard the access is. Send your address through the quote form and I’ll price your roof, fixed, usually within 48 hours, no deposit and no site visit.
If you don’t want fibre fine enough to breathe deep into your lungs above your ceiling, the two products to pick from are Cellulose Fibre Insulation (a plant fibre) or polyester batts — get a quote and compare for yourself.
Already got fibreglass up there?
Get the glass fibre out of your roof or sealed in for good.
Fibreglass is the cheap line item with the better margin for whoever specified it. No training is needed to lay it. What it leaves above your ceiling is spun glass — amorphous silica, not the crystalline quartz dust that causes silicosis but glass fibre all the same, with a share of it fine enough to be breathed deep into your lungs. Send your address and we’ll price it two ways. Neither product we install has a fibre that can get down there.
Take it out
Right if the batts are sunken, gappy, rat-fouled or holding no real R-value left. We bag the old fibreglass up in the roof and carry it out through the roof rather than back through your house. Then we pump in fresh Cellulose Fibre Insulation as one seamless blanket or fit polyester batts if batts are still your preference.
Quote to remove old battsSeal it in
Usually the better answer if what’s up there is still dry and reasonably intact, just thin. We fit covers over the downlights and pump Cellulose Fibre Insulation over the top. It fills every gap, covers the joists and puts a seamless blanket over the old fibre so it stops getting stirred up every time somebody goes up there.
Quote to top overSend your address through the quote form and I’ll price it both ways. If what’s already up there is still doing its job, I’ll tell you that too.
Questions we get asked
Pink Batts & Earthwool quotes in Brisbane — your questions answered.
Can I get a Pink Batts or Earthwool quote in Brisbane from Comfort Zone?+
No — we don't install Pink Batts, Earthwool or any fibreglass batt, so we don't quote them. The product is too itchy for our installers to handle day after day. The 1990 national code put 10 to 20 per cent of glasswool fibre under 3 microns, which is the size that gets breathed deep into a lung. The product it was describing was spun at a nominal 5 to 8 microns. Knauf's current Australian safety data sheet has today's bio-soluble glasswool finer again at 3 to 5 microns nominal. Finer fibre puts more of it under that 3-micron line, not less. What we will quote is polyester batts if you must have batts — or our own Cellulose Fibre Insulation. A fixed price, worked out online, usually within 48 hours.
How much does ceiling insulation cost per square metre in Brisbane?+
As a guide: polyester batts run $28–$45 per square metre plus GST supplied and installed. Cellulose Fibre Insulation runs $35–$55 per square metre plus GST. The exact figure depends on your roof type, the R-value you're after and how hard the access is. Send your address through the online form and I'll measure your roof and email a fixed-price quote, usually within 48 hours. There's no fibreglass figure because we don't quote a product we don't install.
Do you come out to inspect my roof before quoting?+
No. We measure your roof from satellite imagery and the details you give us online, then email a fixed-price quote for the job, usually within 48 hours. No site visit, no deposit. The price we quote is the price you pay. If we've under-measured something once we're up there, that's on us, not you.
What's the difference between Pink Batts and Earthwool?+
Both are fibreglass batts, just different manufacturers' brand names for the same type of product. Pink Batts is Fletcher Insulation's brand; Earthwool is Knauf's. Between them and Bradford Gold, that's most of what's sold in Australian hardware stores. We don't install any of them — if batts are what you want, we quote polyester batts instead.
Should I get fibreglass, polyester batts or Cellulose Fibre Insulation?+
Fibreglass is probably the cheapest product on the market. No training is required to install it — it's sold DIY at Bunnings and companies aren't obliged to have any training to install it either. It's also the only one of the three with a fibre fine enough to be breathed deep into a lung: the 1990 national code put 10 to 20 per cent of the coarser 5 to 8 micron glasswool of the day under 3 microns. Knauf's current safety data sheet has today's bio-soluble product finer again at 3 to 5 microns nominal. Polyester batts are a bonded fibre rather than a loose inhalable dust. We quote them at $28–$45 per square metre plus GST if you must have batts. Cellulose Fibre Insulation is pumped in as one seamless blanket with no gaps, runs $35–$55 per square metre plus GST and carries a transferable Life-of-House guarantee. If you don't want fibre that fine in your house, the plant fibre or polyester are the two to pick from.
Do you quote to remove old fibreglass batts, not just install new insulation?+
Yes. If what's already in your roof is sagging, gapped, rat-fouled or just past it, I'll price removing it and pumping in fresh Cellulose Fibre Insulation — or fitting polyester batts if batts are your call. If the old batts are still in reasonable shape, a top-over is usually the cheaper fix. Send your address and I'll price it both ways and tell you which one your roof actually needs.
Is fibreglass insulation safe?+
Once it's laid and left alone, most of the fibre stays where it's put — the trouble starts when it's disturbed, which happens every time an electrician, plumber or antenna installer goes back up there. The full breakdown of the respirable-fibre numbers, what the manufacturers' own safety sheets say, and where Cellulose Fibre Insulation compares is on our fibreglass safety page.
Real reviews, real jobs
What our customers say
Genuine Google & hipages reviews from Comfort Zone customers across SE Queensland.
- A
Angela M.
SE Queensland
“The fact that I can't even tell it's 6 degrees outside when I wake up in the morning speaks for itself. Have wasted so much money attempting to heat and cool an uninsulated home. Worth every $.”
- Phipages
P Peter
Alstonvale, 2024
“Connected with Comfort Zone Insulation and would recommend them”
- J
Jessa B.
Brisbane
“It dropped about 4 degrees straight away, and we added another 3 with the second job. I appreciate Peter's honesty, and the team showed pictures before and after.”
- Nhipages
Nola M
Birtinya, 2024
“They were courteous and competent.”
- I
Iain V-B.
Brisbane
“Quick and polite service. Great follow-up advice and photos sent for our records. Above and beyond what we expected. Would highly recommend.”
- Jhipages
Jennifer's E
Upper Caboolture, 2024
“Excellent customer service. Highly recommended. Has a profound knowledge of insulation products and has the best interest of his customer.”
- G
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
- Jhipages
Jennifer
Upper Caboolture, 2024
“Excellent customer service. Highly recommend. Has a profound knowledge of insulation products and has the customer best interest.”
- J
Jung K
Riverhills, 2023
“An experienced family operation. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great job!”
- Dhipages
Diane A
Ormeau, 2024
“Peter and crew did a great job I would definitely recommend them”
- D
David H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Completed the job as quoted and to a high standard. Great personal service. Would highly recommend Comfort Zone for ceiling installation work.”
- Thipages
Timea
Highland Park, 2023
“I was extremely satisfied with the service they provided. They gave a very thourough explanation of the materials used, the way the work will be carried out and the price I had to pay was the exact amount quoted, no hidden costs included. They arrived on time, well prepared and workwas carried out exactly how they said it would be, they were super efficient, well prepared and were kind enough to even clean up after themselves. The services they provided was second to none! I don't hesitate to recommend them for any insulation job!”
- B
Benjamin H
Carseldine, 2019
“Very good explanation about their works. Advice of existing problems with the roof. Clean work. Very professional.”
- Mhipages
Mark
Pottsville, 2017
“Michelle, we are done - Peter from comfort zone insulation was very helpful. very honest with his recommendations - in fact he told me that the product my daughter had if installed correctly was superb. Thanks Peter you are a champion and i would recommend you to any person that was wanting professional advice and old school service.”
- I
Ian G
Burnside, 2019
“Good information, communication and professionalism.”
- Jhipages
Jessica
Pottsville, 2016
“This business offers a fantastic product that other businesses did not. Pump in ceiling insulation. Knowledge of the industry second to none.”
- D
Danny D
Boondall, 2018
“He explained everything he was going to do and the different types of insulation they used. He talked through the different options but made a recommendation for the one most people use, which is the one I chose. He was very understanding towards what I needed and not about himself.”
- Jhipages
Jack
Pottsville, 2023
“Excellent communication and informative. Professional.”
- G
Graham R
Riverhills, 2018
“Comfort Zone. Turned up ahead of time, completed in about 2 hours, cleaned up. All good. Very motivated installation team.”
- Thipages
Tony P
Redland Bay, 2023
“Very knowledgeable about insulation”
- A
Alex B
West Ipswich, 2018
“Fast, friendly, efficient.”
- Shipages
Steve
Redland Bay, 2017
“Excellent job and reasonable price.”
- L
Luke D
Mcdowall, 2017
“Peter did a good job. It was a quick and clean service. I'm happy to recommend!”
- Bhipages
Bruce H
Kuluin, 2023
“Prompt and efficient quoting.”
- B
Brendon
Brays Creek, 2016
“Peter supplied and installed roof insulation for me. He was very informative and provided good advice.”
- Ghipages
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
- T
Trevor G
Brookside Centre, 2016
“Excellent tradesmen from Comfort Zone Insulation. They were punctual and cleaned up after. Highly recommended.”
- Thipages
Tamara
Underwood, 2023
“Peter is honest, hard-working and came on time. Knew excally what he was talking about and answered my questions. Would 100% recommend”
- J
John G
Beaudesert, 2019
“Peter is an honest person who provided me with the information I wanted then performed a good job with great results for the benefit of myself and my family.”
- Shipages
Sterling G
Ashgrove, 2023
“Comfort Zone were very knowledge with great communication and follow up”
- Ghipages
Graham R
Riverhills, 2018
“Comfort Zone. Turned up ahead of time completed in +- 2 hours cleaned. All good. Very motivated installation team”
- Jhipages
Jung K
Riverhills, 2023
“An experienced family operation. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great job!”
- Khipages
Kathy A
North Lakes, 2023
“We connected with Peter through HiPages and he was prompt, professional and even came back after the job was complete to assist with a question we had. We would highly recommend Peter for further insulation works.”
- Dhipages
David H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Completed the job as quoted and to a high standard. Great personal service. Would highly recommend Comfort Zone for ceiling installationn work.”
- Shipages
Sue H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Incredible customer service”
- Ehipages
Eileen C
Cedar Vale, 2021
“Quality work, good customer service, prompt”
- Chipages
Craig M
Woody Point, 2021
“Called within 5 minutes of request. Very knowledgeable and explained job in great detail, provide great advice in prior preparation for works required. Very friendly and helpful.”
- Jhipages
Jenny C
Plainland, 2021
“Although I did not hire Peter I was impressed with the initial contact and the knowledge he was willing to impart. I was treated with respect which I appreciated. I would have hired but I received a lower quote.”
- Qhipages
Quinton
Coomera, 2020
“Professional installation without any short cuts. True to their word with high integrity. Response from Comfort Zone Insulation”
- Ghipages
Gary P
West Kempsey, 2020
“Came & Gave a free quote”
Get your fixed price on polyester batts or Cellulose Fibre Insulation.
Send me your address and I’ll price the job — polyester batts at $28–$45 /m² + GST or Cellulose Fibre Insulation at $35–$55 /m² + GST as a guide, fixed once measured, usually within 48 hours, no deposit and no pre-quote inspection. If you’ve already got fibreglass up there, I’ll quote taking it out or sealing it in, so nothing left above your ceiling has a fibre fine enough to be breathed deep into your lungs.
Peter Johnson
Owner / installer · Comfort Zone Insulation Team® · Since 1986