An Anticon blanket is a foil-faced glass wool insulation blanket that rolls out over the purlins or rafters before metal roof sheeting goes on. It cuts summer heat, reduces condensation drip and softens rain noise, and it suits sheds, garages, patios and metal-roofed extensions.
Below you’ll find what Bradford Anticon insulation is, how thickness and R-value relate, how installation works, indicative costs and the mistakes that cause problems.
Key points
- An Anticon blanket goes under metal roofing, so it is easiest to fit during a new roof or full re-sheet rather than afterwards.
- R-value rises with thickness, but the figure that counts is the one printed on the pack for the exact product you buy.
- Joins must be lapped and taped to the manufacturer’s instructions, or condensation and heat will find the gaps.
- Roof work is high-risk, so book a licensed roofer for the install and test any old roof for asbestos before touching it.
What is an Anticon blanket?
It is a rolled glass wool blanket with a reflective foil facing, made by Bradford for roofs where there is no ceiling space to put batts in.
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Anticon blanket | Foil-faced glass wool roll laid over purlins under metal sheeting | Gives insulation where batts cannot be fitted from below |
| Roofing insulation blanket | General name for blankets used directly under roof sheeting | Covers Anticon and similar products |
| R-value | Resistance to heat flow; higher means better insulation | Decides how hot or cold the space gets |
| Foil facing | Reflective layer on one face of the blanket | Reflects radiant heat and helps limit condensation if sealed |
| Compression at fixings | Blanket squashed where screws pull roof sheets down | Lowers insulation locally, so the fixing method matters |
| Lap and tape | Overlapped joins sealed with foil tape | Keeps moist air from reaching cold metal |
For the other materials you could use instead, see our insulation types guide.
Bradford Anticon insulation and Anticon roof blanket options
Bradford sells the blanket in several thicknesses, and names like Anticon 80 and Anticon 100 are what most people search for.
- Ask for the exact product name, such as Bradford Anticon 80 or Anticon 100, because shop and online listings sometimes mix up names, thicknesses and roll sizes.
- Match thickness to the roof’s depth: purlin height, sheeting profile and ceiling clearance all limit how thick a blanket can go.
- Check the roll width and length against the roof span, since fewer joins mean fewer places for heat and moisture to get through.
- Use the Bradford roof blanket only where it is rated for the roof type, such as sheds and metal roofs, and not as a general-purpose underlay.
- Confirm the foil face and colour with the data sheet, because some applications leave the underside exposed and visible.
- Buy fibre-safe PPE as well: gloves, long sleeves, goggles and a dust mask, following the instructions printed on the pack.
Anticon blanket R-value: 50mm and 60mm explained
You’ll often see questions about the 50mm anticon blanket R-value and the 60mm anticon blanket R-value, and the honest answer is to read the label.
| Question | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| 50mm anticon blanket R-value | Lower than a thicker blanket of the same type | Printed on the pack and the Bradford data sheet |
| 60mm anticon blanket R-value | Higher than the thinner option, but the exact figure depends on the product | Pack label and supplier data sheet |
| Anticon R-value after install | Reduced where fixings compress the blanket | Manufacturer installation guide |
| Required R-value for your build | Set by the NCC and your climate zone | Your certifier or energy assessor |
| Total roof performance | Includes air gaps, ceiling lining and sheeting | Energy assessor or BASIX report for new builds |
| Anticon 80 vs Anticon 100 | Product names, not R-values; compare labelled figures | Supplier or Bradford technical team |
Anticon blanket installation: how it goes on
This is a summary, and the Bradford Anticon installation instructions for your product always take priority.
- Check the frame and the old roof first; on older roofs, have the sheeting tested for asbestos before anyone cuts or lifts it.
- Set up fall protection and safety mesh as required, because most serious roofing injuries come from falls through unprotected spans.
- Roll the blanket across the purlins from the low side up, with the foil face oriented as the data sheet specifies for your roof.
- Lap and tape every join using the recommended foil tape, keeping the surface continuous so moist air cannot reach the cold metal.
- Fit sheeting with fixings long enough to pass through the compressed blanket, using the sheet manufacturer’s fixing guide.
- Patch any tears straight away before sheets cover them, because damage hidden under the roof is almost impossible to fix later.
A full re-roof is the best time to add insulation; see our roof sarking guide for the underlay alternative.
Anticon blanket vs roof sarking and other roofing insulation blanket options
| Option | Best for | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Anticon blanket | Metal roofs with no ceiling void, such as sheds | Needs fitting before the roof sheets go on |
| Roof sarking (foil underlay) | Tiled or metal roofs needing a moisture barrier | Little thermal resistance on its own |
| Ceiling batts (glass wool) | Houses with an accessible ceiling cavity | Not an option where the roof is the ceiling |
| Rockwool batts | Fire and acoustic performance | Heavier and often pricier |
| Spray foam | Awkward shapes and sealing air gaps | Higher cost and specialist install |
| Insulated roof panels | New patios, flat roofs, extensions | Replaces the roof rather than adding to it |
Compare the options in our guides to Rockwool insulation, spray foam insulation and Knauf insulation.
Anticon roof insulation for sheds, patios and metal roofs
- Insulate Colorbond garages and sheds where summer heat or winter condensation drips onto tools, vehicles and stored items below the roof.
- Add the blanket to an enclosed patio or pergola conversion, so the room under the roof is usable on hot Sydney afternoons.
- Use it in metal-roofed extensions that have exposed rafters and no accessible ceiling cavity for batts.
- Consider it for rural and workshop buildings where large spans need long rolls and a low-maintenance finish underneath.
- Pair it with ventilation, since sealed spaces still need airflow to manage moisture and stop trapped hot air.
- Treat noise separately; a blanket softens rain noise but won’t match a dedicated system, as covered in our acoustic ceiling guide.
Anticon blanket cost in Sydney
These ranges are indicative only, and a quote should itemise supply, labour, access and waste removal.
| Item | Indicative price (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anticon blanket, supplied only | About $10–$35 per m² (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Varies by thickness and roll size |
| Supplied and fitted during a new roof | About $25–$70 per m² (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Lower when the roof is open and accessible |
| Fitted during a re-sheet of an existing frame | Varies with roof size (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Includes removing and refitting sheets |
| Foil tape, fixings and extras | Small relative to the blanket (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Use the recommended products only |
| Safety mesh and edge protection | Quoted per job (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Needed for working at height |
| Asbestos test on old roofing | Quote per sample (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Needed before any work on an old roof |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to retrofit an Anticon blanket from underneath without lifting the sheets, which usually leaves it compressed, torn or badly lapped.
- Buying on thickness alone, rather than comparing the labelled R-value, product name and intended use.
- Leaving laps untaped, which lets moist air reach the cold underside of the metal and drip back as condensation.
- Reusing old fixings that are too short for the compressed blanket, leaving sheets under-fixed in wind.
- Working on a roof without safety mesh and edge protection, which is the main way tradies get hurt on roofs.
- Disturbing an old fibro or cement-sheet roof before it has been tested for asbestos.
Anticon blanket FAQs
What is the R-value of a 50mm or 60mm Anticon blanket?
The R-value depends on the specific product and its thickness, and thicker blankets rate higher. Read the figure printed on the pack or the current Bradford data sheet rather than relying on forum posts. Compression at fixings can reduce performance, so follow the installation instructions closely.
Can you install an Anticon blanket on an existing roof?
Not easily. The blanket sits between the purlins and the sheeting, so the sheets usually come off and go back on. It is far cheaper during a re-roof or re-sheet. If the roof is old, test it for asbestos first and use a licensed roofer.
Is Anticon 80 better than Anticon 100?
They are different products, so compare the labelled R-value, thickness and intended use instead of the name. A thicker option generally insulates better but needs more clearance in the roof. Ask your supplier or Bradford which product suits your roof and climate zone.
Does an Anticon blanket stop condensation?
It helps limit condensation under metal roofing because the foil face and sealed laps keep moist air from the cold sheet. It only works when joins are taped and the space is ventilated correctly. Tears and untaped gaps let moisture through.
Getting an Anticon blanket installed in Sydney
An Anticon blanket is only as good as its laps, fixings and the roof underneath it. We inspect your roof, check the frame and any asbestos risk, and arrange licensed roofers to fit the blanket and sheeting to the manufacturer’s instructions. Book a free measure and quote.
