5 Types Of Insulation: How To Choose The Best For Your Home

To make your house more energy-efficient, you should ensure that it’s well insulated to make it very comfortable. It might also lessen your cooling and heating costs. Properly installed insulation can effectively help reduce heat gain and loss. At present, there are different types of insulation available in the market. The best and suitable form and type for your home may depend on your climate and whether you’re adding insulation to an existing or new home. You may also want to consider hiring a professional or doing the job yourself. If you’re confused about the available options, you can visit knaufinsulation.com.nz and other sites.

Read more to know more about some of the common types of insulation.

1. Spray Foam Insulation

This type of insulation is often done with the help of spray holders. Generally, foam is sprayed from the containers in certain areas of your house, including existing walls, unfinished attics, and new wall spaces. Even if the foam is sprayed using a spray holder, it can be applied in large quantities. However, it’s crucial to note that spray foam insulation is more expensive than fiberglass insulation. Aside from being a messy process, the foam may cause respiratory health problems when inhaled as it’s made up of chemicals. Thus, hiring an experienced professional is always recommended to ensure that the foam spread is equal in all places.

2. Fiberglass Insulation

It’s a common form of insulation available in loose-fill or batts. The good thing about insulating your house with fiberglass insulation is that it’s more affordable. Moreover, fiberglass insulation doesn’t let your property get damaged from dampness. It’s also non-flammable and has an easy process of installation. Such characteristics make fiberglass insulation preferable for homeowners to use this kind of insulation for their homes. Fiberglass insulation is primarily done between studs, joints, and beams. However, you must be careful when installing this type of insulation for your house as it may affect your skin and lungs. The best solution is to stay away from the area being insulated during the process. Unless sealed with plastic, fiberglass should have a vapor barrier to protect it from moisture.

3. Rigid Foam Board Insulation

This type serves various purposes, such as structural strength, exterior sheathing, and thermal break. It might also serve as an air barrier aside from insulating your house. The types of rigid board insulation include polyisocyanurate, Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Commonly used in both new construction and retrofits, it’s a rigid foam board and has continuous insulation. For new construction, it’s often used on the interior or exterior as an incessant layer before laying down drywall or siding. In a retrofit, rigid foam board insulation can be used to support batt insulation or contain blown insulation.

4. Cellulose Insulation

If you’re searching for an organic way to insulate your house, cellulose insulation may work best for you. This kind of insulation is primarily made from recycled paper, cardboard, and newspapers. Often, cellulose insulation materials are treated with chemicals to protect your home better from pests, heat, and moisture. In case you get a pest infestation, avoid using poison or harsh chemicals as it could spoil the material. Instead, call a wildlife specialist to have the infestation removed using chemical-free, humane methods. However, one thing you should note with cellulose insulation is that it quickly absorbs moisture and can be damaged over time. Experts recommend re-installing this insulation every five years. In terms of costs, cellulose insulation is more expensive than conventional fiberglass insulation. However, it’s crucial to have a vapor barrier as both wet and dry-blown cellulose may create more dust when installed.

5. Mineral Wool Insulation

It’s similar to fiberglass insulation, but it tends to be more costly and doesn’t have the same health risks. Mineral wool is an excellent fire retardant besides being moisture-resistant, noise-resistant, and heat-resistant. It’s available as a loose-fill that’s blown into your desired area and you may also get mineral wool insulation as pre-cut batts.  Thus, it makes the installation process simple.

Choosing The Best Type Of Insulation For Your Home

It’s quite confusing to select the best type of insulation for your home. There are various products made for different applications. All housing insulation systems have one thing in common, they have the R-value or resistance value. It’s the measurement of thermal efficiency. In new construction or renovation, it’s crucial to know the required R-value in your area that is determined by the region’s climate. Selecting the best insulation may depend on the required thermal resistance and the application. Several insulations are made to perform in a damp condition as a moisture barrier while other materials may be unsuitable for it. Make sure your preferred type of insulation is ideal for the application. You may do so by checking the conditions of the insulation it’s subjected to and the required thermal resistance.

Conclusion

Your property’s insulation and its overall performance often go hand in hand. Without proper insulation, you might see drastic fluctuations in your monthly energy bills. This prevents you from keeping a comfortable temperature in your house.  Thus, it pushes your heating and cooling systems to work harder. The tips above might help you know the best type of insulation suited for your home.  Also, make sure to call an expert to assist you.