article

A Guide to Home Insulation Materials

By Fran J. Donegan via Realty Times

bluehammer

Insulation is one of those building products that you never see, because it is usually covered up by something else. But if you don't have enough, or if it is installed incorrectly, you're wasting energy and paying more for heating and cooling than is necessary.

There are a number of insulation products you can use to prevent energy loss. However, it is important to realize that insulation is only one part of a two-prong approach to energy efficiency. The other arm of the plan involves sealing all of the holes, cracks or openings caused by pipes, wires, chimneys or anything that creates an opening in a wall, ceiling, or most importantly, attic floor.

These openings allow interior air to escape to the unconditioned (not heated or cooled) space that surrounds your home. The sealing process is called "air sealing," and requires silicone caulk and expanding foam that comes in a can. It isn't exciting work, and while easy, it requires attention to detail. It is extremely important because the openings are escape routes for heated and cooled air and because many insulation products do not stop moving air. If you plan on insulating, be sure to attend to air sealing as well.

Where to Insulate

Basically, insulation should be placed in any area that separates your heated and cooled living spaces from areas that are not heated and cooled. These areas include:

  • Attics
  • Cathedral ceilings
  • Sidewalls
  • Walls between the living area and an attached garage
  • Floors over unheated basements
  • Floors over crawl spaces
  • Foundation walls

Insulation Materials

The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its R-value - "R" stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better. It is important to match the insulation to the application as well. For example, fiberglass insulation has an R-value of about 2.8 to four per inch. Some foam panels have R-values of seven or eight. But you can easily find fiberglass batts or blankets that are 12 inches thick and designed for use as attic insulation, providing over an R-40. Standard foam panels only come in one-half to two inch thicknesses.

bluehammer

Some products are easier to install than others. Fiberglass batts simply roll into place. They are manufactured to fit snugly between ceiling joists and wall studs. When installing any insulation, it is important that the product be placed flat against the surface you are insulating. Any air space under the insulation or gaps around the edges will limit the effectiveness of the product.

Here's a look at some common insulation products:

Type of Insulation
R-Value per Inch
Where It’s Installed
Notes
Fiberglass

Mineral Wool

(Available in batts, blankets and as a loose fill material)		 2.8 to 4
  • Attics
  • Open wall stud cavities
  • Floors over unheated spaces
  • Batts and blankets are DIY projects
  • Loose fill is a professional installation
  • Compressing the insulation or getting it wet reduces R-value
Cellulose 3 to 3.7
  • Attics
  • Open wall
  • cavities
  • Closed wall cavities
  • Hard-to-reach areas
  • Cellulose is ground- up paper treated with fire retardants
  • Blown-in with special equipment
  • Can be poured in place
  • Even distribution is necessary for effectiveness
Foam Boards
  • Polystyrene: 4 to 5
  • Polyisocyanurate / polyurethane: 6 to 8
  • Foundation walls
  • Interior basement walls
  • Floors
  • Ceilings
  • Interior applications must be covered with drywall for fire safety
  • Used for air sealing large openings
  • Some types are used under exterior siding to enhance the R value of the wall and prevent heat transfer through framing members
Spray-On Polyurethane
  • Open-cell: 3.6 to 4.3
  • Closed-cell: 5.6 to 6.8
  • Open and enclosed wall cavities
  • Between rafters on cathedral ceilings
  • Hard to reach areas
  • Irregularly shaped areas
  • Requires special application equipment
  • Closed-cell material is denser and acts as a vapor barrier
  • Both act as an air barrier

Use this chart as a reference point when insulating your home. Proper insulation will help lower your energy bills and keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


8 Amazingly Easy Tips For A Pet-Friendly Home

For many of us, it's an absolute pleasure to share our homes with our four-legged best friends. But there's no denying that our pets can sometimes lead to wear and tear on our homes. Yet with careful planning and some redesigned elements, we can enhance our house so that it's conducive to our pets and ourselves. If you live with a beloved pet, the following design trends and home-living tips are sure to promote a home that's comfortable for everyone -- and everything -- that lives there.

Trend Alert: Convert a Dresser or Vintage Desk Into a Unique Bathroom Vanity

It's one of Houzz's deign trends for 2017, and it gives you a chance to express your style, add a character piece to your home, and maybe even save some money at the same time. It's the bathroom vanity conversion, and it just might inspire you to make a change for the better.

8 Clever Ways To Zone Off Space In An Open Floor Plan

We've fallen for open-plan living in recent years. After all, not many of us have a formal room just for company anymore. And with modern building materials, we don't necessarily need every room to have four walls to keep it at a comfortable temperature. But although an open plan may bring the space, light, flow and garden views we desire, it can also feel problematic to organize into zones - and prove distracting to share. Enter the glass partition. It makes room division simple yet doesn't starve spaces of light or compromise the open feel. Decorative, at half or full height, framed or barely visible, a glass partition can work in every environment. Check out these designs.

The First-Time Homebuyer's Guide To Grown-Up Furniture

You just bought your first home. Congratulations: You're an adult! Now it's time to fill it up. But if you were planning to pack up those ratty old beanbag chairs and the bed that awakens you with a morning backache and move them to your new place, we have a few suggestions. It's time for a grown-up upgrade. Here's where to start.

Ideas for Saving Energy with Your Smart Home

You may feel safe inside on a hot, smoggy day, but hidden dangers could be damaging your health right in your own home. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4.3 million people a year die from exposure to household air pollution. Poorly ventilated dwellings, smoking around the home and fine particles can all negatively impact your health.

How To Score A Deal On Home Appliances

Who doesn't dream of a kitchen full of shiny, new appliances. Raise your hand if you want a new refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave - and, hey, let's throw in a washer and dryer, too - but don't want to pay top dollar for them. The expense is definitely a bummer when it comes to buying new, but you don't have to go broke to get what you want. Use a few tips and tricks to get a great deal.

Essential Garage Equipment for Car Enthusiasts

What makes a car enthusiast? The vehicle you own says a lot about your passion for cars. About 12 percent of Americans are loyal to a particular vehicle brand, and vehicle brand loyal customers are four times more likely than other consumers to describe themselves as car enthusiasts, according to Scarborough. What you have in your garage also makes a statement about your love of cars. Here are some essential items every car enthusiast should have.

Home Foundations And Why Material Matters

The typical single-family home can weigh anywhere from 80,000 to 160,000 pounds. Foundations provide a solid base for a home's weight, help to ensure the house stays level and provides a base for construction to take place. Foundations matter, and so does the material that they're made of. Here's a closer look at both, starting with materials and why they matter.

House Fires: Less Than Two Minutes To Survive!

Have movies and super heroes lulled us into a false sense of security when it comes to house fires?

8 Great Tricks For Keeping Mosquitos Away

We all know about using bug spray. And citronella candles. But what about other ways to keep those pesky mosquitos away? As if they weren't annoying enough before, the threat of the Zika Virus has made mosquitos even more dangerous. So we've scoured the web for the best tricks for keeping the buggers away.

See More Articles