Kingspan AIR-CELL Insulbreak 55 Thermo Reflective Roof Insulation
1350 mm x 22.25 m (30 m²)
$386.00
Sale price
$386.00
Regular price
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Kingspan AIR-CELL Insulbreak 55 Thermo Reflective Roof Insulation
$386.00
Sale price
$386.00
Regular price
GST inclusive
Opening Offer: 5% off orders over $1,000, 7% over $2,500, 10% over $4,000. Ends 30 November. Offer details
How many do you need?
Measure the wall, ceiling or roof area and take about 10% off for studs, joists and purlins.
You need
Which covers
Total
Dispatch: Most orders are processed the same day. Metro delivery: Usually 1–3 business days. We do our best to get most items out on the next business day.
Delivery to VIC and NSW: $55 in metro Melbourne and metro Sydney, $99 in the outer ring around both cities, $149 anywhere else in the two states · Local pickup from Epping, VIC by arrangement · Shipping details
Kingspan AIR-CELL Insulbreak 55 is a 5.5 mm thermo reflective roof insulation: a closed-cell, fibre-free foam core between an anti-glare foil facing and a plain foil facing. It goes under metal sheeting over battens or purlins, or across rafters under tile battens. Kingspan makes it at Taren Point, NSW.
Roof grade, not the thermal break
The Kingspan data sheet covers Insulbreak 55, 70 and 90 but names only the 70 and 90 for the R0.20 thermal break in steel-framed construction. The 55 is R0.15 and Kingspan details it for roofs only. Our article on the R0.2 thermal break explains the rule.
Where the R-value comes from
Kingspan's total R-values assume a nominal 40 mm reflective air space under metal roofing and 38 mm under tiles. A residential metal roof with a raked ceiling reaches RT 2.6 heat flow in and RT 1.3 heat flow out. Under tiles with a raked ceiling it is RT 2.0 and RT 1.1. Dust on upward-facing foil lowers them, and extra layers add nothing.
Vapour barrier
It is a Class 2 vapour barrier and a water barrier, not a vapour permeable membrane. Check the NCC condensation provisions for the climate zone first.
Roll and fitting
Each 1350 mm x 22.25 m roll covers 30 m² and weighs 7.7 kg. Lap joins 150 mm, or 50 mm when taped. Keep the anti-glare face towards the installer. Maximum span without support mesh is 2.4 m. Heat above 105 °C can damage it, and the foil conducts electricity. Full figures are in the table below.
Technical data
Kingspan technical data sheet (PDF)Sizes stocked
| Roll size | Coverage | Thickness (nom.) | Roll weight (nom.) | Roll diameter (nom.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1350 mm x 22.25 m | 30 m² | 5.5 mm | 7.7 kg | 410 mm |
Thermal
| Material R-value | R0.15 m²·K/W at 23 °C |
|---|---|
| Reflectance | Anti-glare face 95%, reflective face 97% |
| Emittance (AS/NZS 4201.5:1994) | Anti-glare face 0.05, reflective face 0.03, IR Reflective |
| IR emittance category | Category RR |
Each foil face needs an unventilated air space beside it, so doubling up layers does not add performance.
Thermal, Kingspan total R-values (heat flow in / heat flow out)
| Commercial office, metal deck roof at 5° pitch on steel truss, suspended plasterboard ceiling | RT 2.3 / RT 1.3 |
|---|---|
| Residential metal roof, flat ceiling, ventilated | RT 2.8 / RT 1.1 |
| Residential metal roof, flat ceiling, non-ventilated | RT 2.5 / RT 1.4 |
| Residential metal roof, raked ceiling | RT 2.6 / RT 1.3 |
| Residential tiled roof, flat ceiling, ventilated | RT 2.2 / RT 1.0 |
| Residential tiled roof, flat ceiling, non-ventilated | RT 2.0 / RT 1.2 |
| Residential tiled roof, raked ceiling | RT 2.0 / RT 1.1 |
| Reflective air space assumed | 40 mm nominal under metal roofing, 38 mm nominal under tiles |
| Calculation standard | AS/NZS 4859.2:2018 |
Kingspan notes that these figures depend on installation and environmental conditions and drop where dust settles on upward-facing foil.
Fire
| Flammability index | ≤5, Low (AS 1530.2:1993) |
|---|---|
| Combustibility | Combustible (Kingspan AIR-CELL safety data sheet) |
| Heat limit | Can be damaged by intense heat above 105 °C |
| Bushfire areas | Kingspan states AIR-CELL is suitable for buildings in BAL 12.5 through 40 (AIR-CELL range FAQ on the Insulbreak product page) |
Keep sparks and flame from blow torches, welders and cutting tools away from it during the build.
Vapour, water and membrane tests
| Vapour control | Vapour Barrier, Class 2 (ASTM E96 Part B:2016) |
|---|---|
| Water control | Pass, Water Barrier (AS/NZS 4201.4:1994) |
| Surface water absorbency | < 100 g/m², Low (AS/NZS 4201.6:1994) |
| Moisture shrinkage | < 0.5% (AS/NZS 4201.3:1994) |
| Dry delamination | Pass (AS/NZS 4201.1:1994) |
| Wet delamination | Pass (AS/NZS 4201.2:1994) |
| Corrosion resistance | Pass (AS/NZS 4859.1:2018 App. E) |
| Electrical conductivity | Electrically Conductive, resistance ≤ 10 MΩ (AS/NZS 4200.1:2017 c.5.3.1.2) |
Check the NCC condensation provisions for the climate zone before using a vapour barrier under the roof.
Strength, material and handling
| Burst strength | 1.0 kN (AS 3706.4:2012, CBR) |
|---|---|
| Maximum span | 2.4 m without support mesh |
| Load bearing | Non-load bearing, and the foil can be slippery underfoot when wet |
| Construction | Cross-linked, closed-cell, fibre-free core with an anti-glare foil facing on one side and a plain foil facing on the other |
| Core | Physically cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene foam |
| Fibres | Fibre-free, non-allergenic, non-irritant |
| Made in | Australia, at Kingspan's Taren Point plant in NSW |
| Former name | Glareshield XL |
| Storage | In its protective packaging, clean and dry, rolls standing on end, foil kept away from wet cement and lime |
Compliance
| Insulation standard | Manufactured, tested and packaged in conformance with AS/NZS 4859.1:2018 |
|---|---|
| Installation standards | AS 3999:2015 and AS/NZS 4200.2:2017 |
| Management standards | ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 |
| Warranty | 15 years from installation against manufacturing defects, on Kingspan's conditions (AIR-CELL Product Warranty KIAU0226) |
Fitting notes
Install to AS 3999:2015 and AS/NZS 4200.2:2017. Under metal roofing, lay it from ridge to gutter over and across the battens, or across the purlins on a commercial deck, with no more than 25 mm running into the gutter and a nominal 40 mm sag between supports. Under tiles, roll it out across the rafters from the gutter with the anti-glare side up, fix it to the rafters, then batten over it. Lap side joins 150 mm, or 50 mm when the join is taped; on a commercial metal deck, tape the 50 mm lap with 72 to 100 mm reinforced foil tape. Untaped end joins lap 600 mm under metal roofing, or one rafter spacing under tiles. Staple or tape it to the battens until the roofing is fixed, and do not let the sag compromise any safety mesh. Tape around penetrations, pressing the tape down with a plastic squeegee on clean, dry foil. Keep it at least 100 mm from heat-producing flues and light fittings and away from un-insulated cables. Do not walk or work on unsupported insulation. Store rolls dry in their packaging, standing on end, away from wet cement and lime.
Figures are taken from the Kingspan AIR-CELL Insulbreak product data sheet, KIAU0040 Issue 19, February 2025, which covers Insulbreak 55, 70 and 90; the values here are the Insulbreak 55 figures. The manufacturer document is linked above. Material and safety notes come from the Kingspan AIR-CELL safety data sheet KIAU0063, the warranty from Kingspan's AIR-CELL Product Warranty KIAU0226, the bushfire statement, dust note and air space advice from Kingspan's AIR-CELL Insulbreak product page, and the former name from the test report list in Kingspan's 2023 certificate of conformity for Insulbreak (CM20029/1). Kingspan can change specifications without notice, so check the current sheet before specifying on a job.
Common questions
Is Insulbreak 55 a thermal break?
No. Kingspan names Insulbreak 70 and 90 for the R0.20 thermal break in steel-framed construction. The 55 is R0.15 and Kingspan details it for roofs only.
What R-value will my roof actually get?
The material alone is R0.15. Kingspan's calculated total for a residential metal roof with a raked ceiling is RT 2.6 heat flow in and RT 1.3 heat flow out, assuming a nominal 40 mm reflective air space under the sheeting.
Can it go under a tiled roof?
Yes. Kingspan details it across the top of the rafters under the battens, anti-glare side up. Total R-values for tiled roofs run from RT 2.0 to RT 2.2 heat flow in and RT 1.0 to RT 1.2 heat flow out, depending on the ceiling and ventilation.
Which way does the bronze face go?
Kingspan says the anti-glare facing should always face the installer, because it cuts the light reflected back at them. Laid over rafters from the gutter, that means anti-glare side up.
How much does one roll cover?
One roll is 1350 mm by 22.25 m, which Kingspan rates at 30 m². Side joins lap 150 mm, or 50 mm when taped, so allow for the laps when you order.
Is it a vapour permeable sarking?
No. It is a Class 2 vapour barrier to ASTM E96 Part B. Kingspan asks for the NCC condensation provisions for the climate zone to be checked before a sarking-type material is chosen.
Can roofers walk on it?
No. Kingspan's safety data sheet says it is non-load bearing and the foil can be slippery underfoot when wet. Maximum span without support mesh is 2.4 m.
Is this the old Glareshield XL?
Yes. The test reports listed for Insulbreak record Glareshield XL as renamed Insulbreak 55.
Cannot see your question? Ask our team and we will get you an answer.
Answers use the Kingspan AIR-CELL Insulbreak product data sheet KIAU0040 Issue 19, the Kingspan AIR-CELL safety data sheet KIAU0063, the FAQ on Kingspan's AIR-CELL Insulbreak product page, and the test report list in Kingspan's 2023 certificate of conformity for Insulbreak (CM20029/1).
