Insulation can be the difference between a comfortable and energy-efficient home, and one that wastes money on utilities. But not all insulation is created equal, so it’s important that you select the right type for your needs. In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose an appropriate insulation material and where it should be installed in your home.
Always read the safety instructions for any insulation you use–some require protective equipment.
Where insulation should be installed.
Many older homes or cheaply built houses are improperly insulated, costing homeowners untold dollars in wasted heating and cooling costs.
Here are some spots in your home that should be insulated:
- Attics and crawlspaces
- Unfinished walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Attached garages
- Around windows and doors
- Ducts and pipes
Once you locate places that could use more insulation, you can figure out how much is needed by checking the R-value.
What is R-value?
The R-value of an insulation material is a measure of its thermal resistance, or ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better insulated your home will be.
However, not every area needs the highest R-value possible. The Department of Energy recommends different thicknesses of insulation based on the climate of your area and the place in your home needing the insulation. For example, here in the Oklahoma City area, we are in zone 3, so we are recommended to have insulation with an R-value of 20 for wood frame walls.
Foam board.
Foam board is easy to install and has a high R-value, so it is one of the most popular forms of insulation. It is a rigid insulating material made from polyurethane or other similar plastics, cut into rectangular sheets that can be cut to size.
Foam board can be used to insulate floors and walls, but it can also be used as a vapor barrier to keep moisture out. Since it’s so good at keeping out water, the best place for it is somewhere that might get wet, such as a basement.
Loose fill insulation.
Loose fill insulation, also called blown-in insulation, is a type of home insulation that is blown into walls or attics. Loose fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber or foam and can be installed by professionals in your home to insulate walls, attics, and crawlspaces. Loose fill conforms to the shape of the structure, so it fills any space.
Loose fill can be added during the construction of a home, but you may also want to add more of it later on if you notice areas where there isn’t enough protection from cold drafts coming in through gaps in your walls, ceilings, or floors.
Rolled insulation.
Rolled insulation is usually made of fiberglass but can also come in other materials.
Rolled insulation is available in different thicknesses and is, as you might guess, sold in a big roll. It can be cut to size, making it ideal for insulating walls and attics. Rolled insulation is also used to insulate crawl spaces because it’s easy to install over existing floor joists or studs.
One benefits of rolled insulation is that it is thin and flexible, so it can be cut and shaped to the size needed more easily.
Insulation batts.
Batts are the same fiberglass material as rolled insulation, but they are thicket and have been pre-cut into rectangles to fit into the spaces between the wooden frame of a house.
Batts are one of the most popular forms of insulation because they are relatively easy to install by cutting them to size. However, you have to be careful to get the correct size and number for the space you need to insulate.
Spray foam.
Spray foam is just what it sounds like: insulating foam that can be sprayed into small spaces to block them up. It is a great choice for sealing around windows and doors. It can also be used to seal air leaks in your attic, as well as around ducts and vents. Spray foam is often used to seal holes in walls that allow cold air into the home from outside.
Radiant barriers.
Radiant barriers are a great way to make your home more energy efficient. They work by reflecting radiant heat away from your home.
A radiant barrier consists of a reflective material that looks like aluminum foil over foam board. It is perfect for attics or garages, keeping heat from spaces that aren’t climate controlled and are directly in the sun.
Using the correct type of insulation is important to maximize energy savings and comfort.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the many types of insulation available to homeowners. The key takeaway is that there are many options, and it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. If you’re unsure what type of insulation would work best for your home, talk with an expert who can help guide you through each choice.