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Auckland insulation specialists focused on doing the job right — from ceiling and underfloor insulation through to full upgrades and Healthy Homes compliance.
August 29, 2025
If you’re comparing insulation options for your home, you’ll probably come across a few familiar names: Pink Batts, Earthwool, TemperTherm, and sometimes Knauf.
At first glance, it can feel like they all do the same thing. They come in different R-values, they’re designed to help reduce heat loss, and they can all make a home warmer when installed correctly.
But in the real world, there are differences.
Some products are better suited to professional installation. Some are more popular with DIY homeowners. Some offer better value at higher R-values. Some have a more refined finish. Others are chosen because they’re proven, familiar, and trusted in New Zealand homes.
At Kaiser Property, we generally quote and install TemperTherm and Pink Batts depending on the home, the budget, and what the customer is trying to achieve.
Here’s how we usually think about the differences.
Before getting into brands, it’s worth clearing up one important point.
The R-value is what tells you the insulation’s thermal resistance. In simple terms, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at resisting heat flow.
So if two products have the same R-value and are installed properly, they should offer a similar level of thermal performance on paper.
But that doesn’t mean all insulation products feel the same, install the same, hold their shape the same, or represent the same value.
The product still matters.
So does the installation.
A well-installed insulation product with the right R-value will usually outperform a higher-spec product that has been poorly fitted, compressed, gapped, or installed in the wrong situation.
TemperTherm is one of the main products we use.
It is a glasswool insulation product and, in our experience, offers very strong value, especially when homeowners want to achieve higher R-values without the price climbing too sharply.
It may not have quite the same polished look or brand familiarity as Pink Batts, but the material itself is dense, solid, and well suited to professional installation.
Where TemperTherm makes sense:
TemperTherm also carries a long product warranty, which adds peace of mind when it is installed correctly and used in the right application.
The simple way to put it is this:
TemperTherm is not always the prettiest-looking product on the face, but it is a strong, dense, industrial-quality insulation option that can make a lot of sense for the right home.
Pink Batts is the name most New Zealand homeowners already know.
It has been used in Kiwi homes for decades, it is made in New Zealand, and for many people it is the default product they think of when they hear the word insulation.
We often recommend Pink Batts for homeowners who are planning to stay in the home long term, or where they want the peace of mind of a well-known, tried and tested brand.
Where Pink Batts makes sense:
Pink Batts is a good quality insulation product and is widely trusted for a reason. It is not always the cheapest option, especially at higher R-values, but for many homeowners the brand reputation and long-term confidence are worth it.
If you’re planning to live in the home for years, Pink Batts can be a very easy product to feel comfortable with.
Earthwool is another well-known insulation product, often associated with Knauf.
It is popular with DIY homeowners because it is soft, less itchy to handle, and generally easier to work with compared to some traditional insulation products. For someone installing insulation themselves, that comfort factor can be appealing.
That said, Earthwool is not a product we typically use or recommend for our own installs.
In our professional opinion, while Earthwool is comfortable to handle and widely available, it can be more prone to losing its shape or compacting compared with the products we prefer to install.
That matters because insulation needs to maintain its loft and fit properly over time. If it compresses, slumps, gaps, or does not hold its position well, performance can be affected.
Where Earthwool may appeal:
But for professional installs, especially where we’re looking for a long-term result, we generally prefer TemperTherm or Pink Batts.
This is where the answer depends on the job.
We use both extensively, so it’s not a case of one being good and the other being bad.
Both are quality glasswool insulation products. Both can perform well when installed properly. Both are suitable for New Zealand homes.
The difference is more about priorities.
TemperTherm is often a strong choice where the homeowner wants good performance and the best value, especially at higher R-values.
It can be particularly useful where the budget needs to stretch further, or where the main goal is improving the home’s warmth without paying extra for the most recognised brand.
Pink Batts is often a good fit for owner-occupiers, long-term homes, and homeowners who want the comfort of a well-known NZ brand with a long track record.
It is a familiar, trusted product, and many people like knowing exactly what is going into their ceiling or walls.
For ceiling insulation, both TemperTherm and Pink Batts can be good options.
The best choice depends on:
In many Auckland homes, the bigger issue is not which brand is chosen. It is whether the ceiling insulation is actually installed properly.
We often see ceiling insulation that is:
A good product still needs a good install.
Underfloor insulation has its own considerations.
Under the floor, insulation needs to stay firmly in place, fit neatly between joists, and handle the realities of older Auckland homes.
Older homes often have:
This is where product choice and installation quality both matter.
If the insulation is poorly fitted, has gaps, or does not stay in contact with the underside of the floor, cold air can still move through and the home may continue to feel cold.
It is easy to get caught up comparing brands, but the better question is:
What product makes sense for this home, this budget, and this install?
For some homes, Pink Batts is the right recommendation.
For others, TemperTherm gives the best balance of performance and value.
And in some cases, the bigger issue is not the product brand at all. It may be that the home needs old insulation removed, a ceiling top-up, new underfloor insulation, or a ground moisture barrier to deal with subfloor moisture.
The right answer depends on what is actually going on in the home.
As a general guide:
TemperTherm is a strong option where value and higher R-values are important. It is dense, cost-effective, and well suited to professional installation.
Pink Batts is a strong option where the homeowner wants a proven, familiar, NZ-made product with long-term brand confidence.
Earthwool is popular with DIY homeowners because it is softer and easier to handle, but it is not a product we typically use for professional installs.
In most cases, we recommend either TemperTherm or Pink Batts depending on the home and what the customer is trying to achieve.
A quality product can still perform badly if it is installed poorly.
Gaps, compression, missed areas, dampness, poor access, and rushed fitting can all reduce the result.
That’s why we focus on the full picture:
The goal is not just to put insulation in the ceiling or under the floor.
The goal is to make the home warmer, drier, easier to heat, and more comfortable to live in.
If you’re unsure whether TemperTherm, Pink Batts or another product is the best fit, we can take a look and recommend the most practical option.
We’ll consider the condition of the home, the access, the R-value needed, the budget, and whether you’re looking for the best value option or a more premium long-term product.
No overcomplicating it. Just a practical recommendation based on what makes sense for your home.
