The Best Types of Insulation For Your Home
- Loose-Fill Insulation Loose-fill insulation is blown, or sometimes, sprayed into place. Typically, loose-fill consists of fiberglass and loose mineral wool. ...
- Insulation Rolls Insulation rolls, made from special batting materials, are rolled out between wall and ceiling framing. ...
- Foam Board Insulation ...
- Spray Foam Insulation ...
- Wall Injection Foam Insulation ...
Full Answer
What are the best types of insulation for your home?
Types Of Insulation: Fiberglass. Fiberglass is made of extremely fine glass fibers and is the most popular insulation material in America. This is the material you’ll find in rolls and batts of insulation. It is cheap compared to other insulations. Fiberglass works so well because the fibers are fine and tightly wound.
Which type of insulation is right for your home?
Types of Insulation
- Blanket Insulation. Blanket insulation is made from a variety of materials that may include fiberglass, plastic and rock wool.
- Foam Boards. Foam boards are generally used for exterior wall sheathing. ...
- Liquid Spray Foam. Liquid spray foam insulation is made of polyurethane which is in a liquid spray foam. ...
- Loose-Fill Insulation. ...
What is the cheapest type of insulation?
The Cheapest Way to Insulate a Garage
- Options. Choosing the cheapest type of insulation for your garage will depend on a few factors, such as the climate you live in and the construction of the garage itself.
- Fiberglass Roll Insulation. ...
- Cellulose Insulation. ...
What is the best type of siding for my house?
What is the most durable siding for a house?
- Engineered Wood. As the most durable siding on the market, engineered wood combines the aesthetics of real wood with engineered wood strand technology for superior durability.
- Vinyl Siding.
- Fiber Cement.
- Traditional Wood.
- Cedar Shake.
- Aluminum.
What is insulation roll?
Insulation rolls, made from special batting materials, are rolled out between wall and ceiling framing. They roll out in long continuous pieces, so there are fewer gaps in installation. Not only can insulation rolls be a cheaper option, you can also install them yourself (though we always recommend professional installation for best results).
Is home insulation a one size fits all?
Home insulation is not a one-size-fits-all deal. What kind of home you have and which climate zone you live in affects your choice of insulation material. Insulation is most often needed to control temperature inside your home and help save on utility bills. But insulation can also help with things like fire protection and soundproofing.
What is the best insulation?
One way to assess what is the best insulation is by a measurement called an R-value. R-value is a measurement based on a material’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better that material is for insulation.
What is the most common form of insulation?
2. Fiberglass Insulation. This is the commonest form of insulation.
What is cellulose insulation made of?
This type of insulation is mainly made from recycled paper, mainly newspapers and sometimes cardboards and other kinds of papers, and comes in loose fills. Cellulose insulation materials are treated with chemicals to make them better in protecting the home from moisture, heat, and pests.
What type of insulation can alter the heat inside a house?
They are as follows: 1. Spray Foam Insulation. This kind of insulation is done with aid of spray holders. Foam is sprayed from the containers in specific places of the house.
What is mineral wool insulation?
Mineral wool insulation is also known as rock wool insulation. This is almost similar to fiberglass insulation. Mineral wool is easy to install. They come in loose fills, which can be poured directly from bags or be blown to a certain area. The best part of this kind of insulation is that it can tolerate higher temperatures, as in up to 1000 o C than the other forms of insulation. The house also remains soundproof when insulated with this material.
How much does insulation reduce heat loss?
Wall insulation can reduce a home’s heat loss by 67%, while attic insulation can lead to a 40% decrease in heating and cooling costs. 10% of your home heating bill costs stem from uninsulated floors. Insulating basement walls or slab foundation can reduce heating costs by10% to 20%. A home that is well insulated against heat loss can recoup ...
Why is insulation important?
Insulation is hugely important and the right insulation for your home can save you a lot of money in the long run with retaining heat. Read about the four types of insulation for your home here. Installing an insulation system can drastically reduce energy consumption in your house.
What is the best insulation for a new construction home?
The most commonly used building insulation materials are spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose. Let’s take a look at the best insulation for new construction homes starting at the top of the house down to the bottom.
What is the best insulation for an attic?
The best roof insulation options for an attic are open cell spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose. Cellulose is one of the oldest insulation materials available on the market. It can be either installed as loose-fill on the attic floor or as a blown-in material. Cellulose is primarily made of recycled newsprint or denim.
Why are fiberglass batts not good for a wet area?
Allowing that interior air that is regularly full of moisture can cause condensation and promote mold and mildew growth. This is why fiberglass batts are not a good fit for either area. Fiberglass holds moisture once it becomes wet. It will promote mold and mildew growth and sag where it has been installed.
How much expansion does open cell foam have?
Open cell spray foam has a very high expansion rate, sometimes as much as 100 times over. This makes it an ideal option for homes because it gets in the nooks and crannies in attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists.
What is the least expensive insulation?
Fiberglass is another traditional form of insulation found in many homes across the country. It is made of extremely fine glass fibers. While it is the least expensive option, which makes it attractive, it is the least effective. Fiberglass insulation still allows for airflow into the attic.
Why is it important to choose the right insulation material?
Choosing the best building insulation material is important because you spend the majority of your time in your home, so it needs to be nice and comfortable when you’re there. Saving money on monthly energy bills is another big factor to consider since you don’t want your new home to cost you more money than it needs to.
Why use foam insulation?
The Building Science Corporation recommends a foam-based insulation in these areas because of the air seal it creates.
What type of insulation is used in Denver?
Types of Insulation. Icynene plastic insulation blown into the walls of a home near Denver. Icynene fills cracks and crevices and adheres to the framing. When insulating your home, you can choose from many types of insulation.
What is blanket insulation made of?
You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
What is ICF foam?
ICF systems consist of interconnected foam boards or interlocking, hollow-core foam insulation blocks. Foam boards are fastened together using plastic ties. Along with the foam boards, steel rods (rebar) can be added for reinforcement before the concrete is poured.
What is foam board?
Foam board, to be placed on outside of wall (usually new construction) or inside of wall (existing homes): Some manufacturers incorporate foam beads or air into the concrete mix to increase R-values. Unfinished walls, including foundation walls. New construction or major renovations.
Can concrete block walls be insulated?
Concrete block walls are typically insulated or built with insulating concrete blocks during new home construction or major renovations. Block walls in existing homes can be insulated from the inside. Go to insulation materials for more information about the products commonly used to insulate concrete block.
Can insulation be significantly affected by application?
Ask contractors about their experience in installing the product you are considering. The application can significantly impact the insulation’s performance .
Can you put insulation in a blanket?
The maximum thermal performance or R-value of insulation is very dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some types of insulation -- notably blankets, boards, and materials that can be poured in place. (Liquid foam insulation materials can be poured, but they require professional installation). Other types require professional installation.
How to Choose the Best Insulation for Your Home
If an insulation inspection finds that you need repairs or replacements, or you’re just sick of high heating and cooling costs, it’s time to pick an insulation material.
Types of Insulation
There are four common types of insulation used in homes. While each one has its unique benefit, not every option will be perfect for your home. Use the guide below to determine which type of insulation will provide the best value, help reduce energy costs, and create an eco-friendly, efficient environment at your home.
1. Spray Foam Insulation
The easiest "hack" for insulating your home without major construction is spray foam, a chemical-based insulation that’s mixed at your home before it's applied using a special sprayer. Spray foam's ability to get into tight spaces makes it a top pick for cold climates.
2. Fiberglass Insulation
The most common insulation found in homes, fiberglass consists of extremely fine glass fibers. It comes in batts/rolls, loose fill, rigid boards, and specialized duct insulation. Fiberglass batt installation costs range from $1,000 to $2,400, but if you decide to DIY the material itself costs only $0.30 to $1.50 per square foot.
3. Cellulose Insulation
Thick and dense, cellulose is the "down feather" of the home insulation world. Cellulose is a top eco-friendly pick because it’s derived from plant sources.
Cons
Sometimes settles or packs down over time to create thermal bridges capable of transferring hot and cold air
4. Mineral Wool Insulation
Famed for having a higher R-value than fiberglass, mineral wool is a high-density insulation material with some surprising perks for quieting and sealing your home.
What is the oldest insulation material?
Cellulose is the oldest insulation material used for not only the attic but other areas of the home as well. Cellulose can be either a loose-fill or blown-in material and is primarily made of recycled newsprint or denim.
Why is foam insulation used?
To reduce this air leakage, foam insulation works best because it provides heat resistance and an air seal.
What is open cell foam insulation?
Open cell spray foam insulation is an air barrier material that creates a seal against air movement. It can expand up to 100 times its original size, filling every nook and cranny in the attic. Its main ingredients are water-blown and organic chemical compounds derived from petroleum extracts making it environmentally safe.
Why do you need insulation for your furnace?
This also helps to keep your air conditioner and furnace from working overtime to keep up, as long as the insulation isn't allowing for air leaks and has been routinely maintained. Another thing you want your insulation to do is to seal your home's building envelope.
Which is better, fiberglass or spray foam?
Spray foam is the better choice between the two because it doesn’t retain water and it creates an air seal. Fiberglass is the cheaper option and you can install it yourself, but spray foam creates the air seal you will want in the space. The Building Science Corporation recommends a foam-based insulation material for crawl spaces because of this. ...
What is the impact of insulation?
When insulation does its job, it impacts the conduction (heat transfer) and the convection (airflow), which can both impact the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. More traditional house insulation types, like cellulose, is resistant to heat that is transferred through conduction. During the winter months, ...
Can you add insulation to existing walls?
The good news is you can add insulation to the existing walls without removing your drywall and the extra expense of a full remodel. Injection foam insulation and blown-in cellulose can be installed in the existing walls through similar methods.
What is spray foam insulation?
With spray foam insulation, a polyurethane or latex spray is evenly applied directly to the underside of the roof deck, slates and tiles. Not only does this provide insulation, but it also seals cracks and blocks moisture from getting into the home. It may be used for the full insulation or in targeted areas that are prone to moisture accumulation. If used to insulate a full attic space, it would be on the upper end of the cost spectrum for insulation with potential costs of $10,000.
What is the R value of insulation?
The R-Value is a way to gauge how effectively insulation blocks the flow of heat through it, which can keep heat inside your home on cold days and outside on hot days. On the minimally insulated end of the spectrum are R-Values below R30. For maximal insulation, you would want an R-Value closer to R60.
What is rigid board insulation made of?
More commonly used to insulate walls in living spaces than attics, rigid board insulation is made from polyisocyanurate or polyiso, extruded polystyrene (XPS) or expanded polystyrene (EPS). The material used for the rigid insulation board will affect the R-Value as well as the cost; the higher the R-Value, the higher the cost is, on average. The average costs range from $4,000 to $15,500.
How much does it cost to insulate a crawl space?
You have a good amount of control over the total insulation, which can help you achieve the right amount for your climate. The average costs range from $1,750 to $5,550.
How much does it cost to install batt blanket insulation?
The insulation can be cut to fit around ceiling joists and rafters, but will not provide the same seal that spray foam insulation offers. It is a good low-cost option with average costs ranging from $500 to $1,500.
How much does a structural insulated panel cost?
They cost an average of $10 to $12 per square foot. When installed properly, SIPs can dramatically reduce energy costs.
Can you use insulation with a lower R value?
You may be able to use insulation with a lower R-Value if you are adding new insulation on top of existing insulation, which is detailed in the Energy Star map.
What type of insulation is used for unfinished walls?
INSULATION TYPE: Blanket Batts and Rolls. Best for: Do-it-yourself insulation of unfinished walls, floors, and ceilings. Blanket batts and rolls are typically constructed with fiberglass, although versions made of cotton, mineral wool, sheep’s wool, and plastic fibers are also available. Installing this type of insulation is an inexpensive ...
What is insulation in a home?
Insulation is a vital component in any home that seeks to be energy-efficient. Typically placed in areas where air escapes, such as between the stud cavities inside the walls and in the attic, it serves to slow and reduce heat transfer. By sealing air leaks and adding proper insulation to the attic, crawl spaces, and basement, ...
What is foam board insulation?
Foam boards work well to insulate everything from foundation walls and basement walls to unfinished floors and ceilings.
How many homes do not have insulation?
Still, approximately 90 percent of single-family homes in the U.S. do not have sufficient insulation, according to 2015 research by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. Not only does poor insulation waste energy and increase energy bills for these buildings, it also disrupts your family’s comfort level by allowing drafts ...
Where to put radiant barriers in attic?
Homeowners in warmer climates typically place reflective or radiant barriers in the attic between joists, rafters, and beams, since the attic is where most heat enters a home. Installation here, too, can be done without a professional.
Can you spray polyurethane in place?
When insulating a larger area, homeowners can use a pressure sprayed (foamed-in-place) option . Spray foam comes in two constructions: open-cell foam or denser closed-cell foam.
How Location Affects Your Exterior Wall Insulation Needs
Insulation in your exterior walls lowers heating and cooling costs and also improves comfort. But it stands to reason that you’re not going to need the same R-values in Florida as you do in Montana or New York.
The Insulation R-Value Rule
R-values are a vital factor in terms of the efficacy of insulation, which is why the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) created the R-Value Rule. Simple in concept, it requires manufacturers, sellers, and professional installers of insulation products to disclose the R-value.
Types of Exterior Wall Insulation and R-values
So now all you have to do is match the R-value recommended for your climate with an insulation type that is suitable for exterior walls.
Final Wrap Up
The best type of insulation to use for your exterior walls will keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
