Thermogroup Econoboard Thermal Insulation Boards

Thermal floor insulation reduces heat loss through a tiled floor and cuts down on the cold, hard feel that tiles can have in bathrooms and living areas. The Thermogroup Econoboard is a rigid thermal insulation board that installs under tile to provide this insulating layer, along with a measure of sound dampening and a stable base for tiling.

What a thermal insulation board does

A thermal board sits between the subfloor and the tile bed, creating a thermal break that slows heat transfer through the floor. This matters most in bathrooms, where cold tile underfoot is one of the most common comfort complaints in Australian homes, and in any room built over an unheated space such as a garage or subfloor void. Beyond the insulating function, a rigid insulation board also helps even out minor subfloor irregularities before tiling, which can improve the overall stability of the finished tile surface.

The Econoboard specification

The Thermogroup Econoboard is a 6mm thermal insulation board, a specification that balances a meaningful insulating layer against added floor height, which matters in renovations where floor level needs to match adjoining rooms or existing thresholds. At 6mm, the board is thin enough to use in most standard renovation builds without requiring door trimming or step changes at room transitions, while still providing a genuine thermal break compared to tiling directly onto a bare subfloor or screed.

Under tile insulation beyond bathrooms

Under tile insulation is not limited to bathrooms. Kitchens, laundries and any other tiled area sitting over an unheated space benefit from the same thermal board treatment, since heat loss through a tiled floor happens regardless of room type. Insulated boards and insulation tiles used this way also contribute a degree of sound dampening between floors in multi-storey homes, reducing the transfer of footstep noise through a tiled upper floor.

Installing thermal boarding correctly

Thermal insulating board is bonded to the subfloor with a suitable tile adhesive, then tiled over once cured, following the same general sequence as a standard tile bed but with the insulation board as an added layer. Heat boards and insulation blocks of this type need a flat, structurally sound subfloor to bond to properly, so any subfloor unevenness should be addressed before laying the board rather than after. Getting this sequence right avoids voids under the tile that can lead to cracking under foot traffic over time.

Bathroom insulation and moisture considerations

In wet areas, thermal flooring insulation needs to sit within a correctly waterproofed system rather than replace waterproofing membranes. The board provides the thermal function while the waterproofing membrane, applied according to standard wet area requirements, continues to do the job of protecting the structure from moisture. Treating an insulation board as a substitute for proper waterproofing is a common and costly mistake in bathroom renovations.

Compatibility with heated floors

While thermal boarding is most often chosen simply to reduce cold-floor discomfort and add some sound dampening, boards of this type are also compatible with underfloor heating installations as part of a broader heated floor build-up, directing heat upward into the room rather than down into the subfloor. If you are planning a heated floor system, check the specific board and heating cable or mat compatibility with your installer before finalising the floor build-up.

Delivery and returns

Thermogroup Econoboard ships Australia-wide, generally as full sheets that a tiler will cut to size on site. If your project changes scope or you order the wrong quantity, our 60-day returns policy covers unused, unopened stock, so it is worth ordering close to your measured area rather than significantly over.

Frequently Asked Questions