Every home should have adequate insulation to keep it more comfortable and to reduce your energy bill. It is also better for the environment, as you won’t have to run your heating and cooling system as often when the home is well insulated.
This Angi, formerly Angie’s List, guide can show you the common types of insulation that are available.
Fiberglass
This is perhaps the most common way to insulate a home. It is an inexpensive method of insulation, it’s easy to install, it is non-flammable and it is moisture resistant. This makes it a popular way to insulate a home well without spending an enormous amount. Fiberglass insulation is available in loose fill so that you can make your own partitions of insulation, or you can get it in pre-shaped rolls that can be rolled out into place relatively easily. These pre-shaped rolls are made to fit perfectly between attic rafters, floor joists and wall studs. Fiberglass rolls come in a variety of densities for various levels of insulation. If you are placing the insulation yourself, make sure that you wear the right protective clothing, including a mask, gloves and long sleeves and long pants. The fiberglass should not be breathed in or touch your skin.
Cellulose
For those who want an environmentally friendly insulation choice, there is cellulose insulation. This is made of recycled paper, and it’s a loose-fill organic material. It is generally treated with a number of helpful chemicals that make it better resist pests and moisture. It’s a good solution for areas that are irregularly shaped or that have obstructions that have to be worked around. You can install this type of insulation yourself, it can be poured into place, or you can rent a blower to blow it into place. It can be difficult to get this insulation into the proper place, and many people use an insulation pro to place it.
Polyurethane Spray Foam
This type of foam is sprayed into place, and it expands there and hardens. It’s a good solution for areas that are finished, areas that are strangely shaped and in areas that have obstructions, such as crawl spaces and corners. Once this insulation hardens, it is mold and mildew-resistant as well as sound resistant. There are two types of polyurethane spray insulation – open-cell spray foam and closed-cell spray foam. The open-cell type gets much larger as it dries, and it’s perfect for small nooks around the home. However, it’s not very moisture resistant. Closed-cell spray foam is much more moisture-resistant.
Mineral Wool
This type of insulation is also known as rock wool. It is similar to fiberglass insulation, though it does cost more. However, mineral wool doesn’t come with the same health risks as fiberglass insulation. It is very fire retardant, and it is resistant to moisture, heat and sound. It comes in pre-cut bats as well as loose fill. The loose fill form is blown into place, or it can be poured from its bags. This form of blown-in insulation weighs more than fiberglass, so it’s important to know the structural integrity of your home’s floors and walls before it is put into place.
Radiant or Reflective Barriers
While these are a form of insulation, they work very differently from the other types. They don’t reduce a home’s heat flow. Reflective insulation instead keeps heat from getting into the home. They are made from foil, or they may have a reflective coating painted on. Their base is made from either polyethylene or thick paper. This type of insulation is inexpensive and is very helpful in keeping energy costs lower during the summer. But, they don’t help much in the winter. This Angi guide can help you to understand the common types of insulation so that you can hire an insulation company that is best for your home and your budget.
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