Diving into the world of home insulation can be a real eye-opener, and it’s much more than just padding your walls. It’s a strategic move toward crafting a haven that’s cozy year-round.
In this article, we’ll unravel the mysteries of keeping your dwelling snug in winter and blissfully cool in summer. Here, you’ll learn about different home insulation materials, the ideal places to install them, and how they work together to buffer your sanctuary (and wallet!) from the elements.
Home Insulation Basics
When you think about keeping your home cozy, insulation should be front and center in your mind. It’s the barrier that slows down the transfer of heat between your house and the outside world. In winter, it traps warmth indoors. Come summer, it helps keep your home cool.
Good insulation isn’t just about comfort, either. It also impacts your energy bills by reducing the need for heating and cooling. But remember, installing insulation isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
You’ll need to choose materials suited for different parts of your house. For example, the attic might require blown-in insulation, while rigid foam boards could be better for exterior walls. By understanding these basics, you’re on your way to a more efficient and comfortable home.
Finding and Hiring Home Insulation Contractor
Embarking on an insulation project means you’ll likely be looking to hire a reliable contractor. It’s essential to do your homework first. Dive into reviews and get referrals from people you trust.
Many savvy business owners will seek out marketing companies to get their name out there. For example, marketing services for roofing contractors will stress the importance of keeping your roof insulated. Approximately 25% of the heat produced by your furnace will escape through the roof. An installer who knows this will place focus on keeping your roof snug.
But don’t be fooled by their marketing alone. While looking at reviews, check if they use high-quality materials and place focus on quality installs rather than speed. Take your time when choosing an installer, and don’t settle for less. If you do, it could impact your personal comfort.
If you’re not planning to hire an installer, then you’ll need to learn more about how to install insulation yourself. The following tips are more important for DIY home installers.
Building Codes for Home Insulation
When planning to insulate your home, you can’t ignore the insulation standards. These regulations are there for a reason, as they ensure safety and energy efficiency standards are met. Before you kick start any work, take a moment to understand these guidelines.
Consult with local authorities or do your research online to find out what’s required in your area. Compliance isn’t optional. It’s mandatory and can affect everything from insulation materials to the methods of installation. Keep in mind that most building codes are predicated on R-value.
R-value measures insulation’s resistance to heat flow. Most building codes require a higher R-value, which means that the insulation resists the transfer of heat (and is more insulated).
Moreover, adhering to these codes doesn’t just keep you on the right side of the law, no matter where you live. It also optimizes your home’s energy use and saves money in the long run.
Different Types of Home Insulation
There are two main types of insulation: batt insulation and blown-in or loose-fill insulation.
Batt insulation resembles a blanket that’s stuffed inside the walls. Installation is simple, but you’ll need to cut batt insulation around electric wire and plumbing. Blown-in insulation requires a machine to place loose fibers into the wall. While it provides a tighter fit and wraps around electric wire and plumbing without fuss, you do need a special machine to finish the job.
Batt and blown-in insulation comes in the following materials:
- Rigid Foam: Rigid foam boards offer a high insulation value for relatively little thickness. These boards can be easily added to existing walls and can be cut to fit in various spaces. They’re resistant to moisture, reducing the risk of mold in damp-prone areas.
- Havelock Wool: A natural and sustainable choice, Havelock wool is made from sheep’s fibers that efficiently regulate temperature and manage moisture. It’s a superb sound absorber and doesn’t contain harmful toxins commonly found in other insulations.
- Mineral Wool: Also known as rock wool or slag wool, mineral wool is an excellent fire retardant due to its high melting point. It tends not to settle over time like other insulations and has superior soundproofing capabilities, which benefit your living space.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Made from fine glass fibers, it comes both as batts and loose-fill insulation. However, proper safety gear should be worn during installation to stay safe.
- Cellulose: Comprised mainly of recycled paper treated with fire retardants, cellulose is environmentally friendly insulation typically blown into wall cavities or attics. It has good thermal performance, is highly dense, and can reduce energy costs significantly.
- Spray Foam: Spray foam expands upon application, creating an airtight seal that combats heat loss more effectively than many other type of insulation materials. It’s available in open-cell or closed-cell varieties—the latter being denser and providing greater R-value.
- Hemp: Hemp insulation represents one of the newest eco-friendly trends in insulating homes. It’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and boasts a low environmental impact from production through disposal. Plus, hemp maintains good thermal properties.
There are positives and negatives associated with each material. Make sure you do your research, as it can help you decide which insulator will be the best option for your home.
Installing Home Insulation
Insulation can be installed in multiple areas of the home, and some applications are easier than others once your home is finished. If you’re interested in superior energy efficiency and performance, then you’ll want to properly insulate your home from the foundation to the roof.
However, if you want to improve insulation, rather than completely re-do it, focus on unfinished rooms (basements and attics) or places where heat is likely to seep through (band joints and window jambs). But no matter where you insulate, make it a point to create a proper seal.
Here are a few places where you should beef up your insulation:
- Attic Insulation: Your attic is a prime location for installing insulation. Placing either loose-fill or batts insulation between the joists ensures the warm air stays where you need it. Also, consider insulating the attic door or hatch to prevent energy wastage.
- Exterior Walls Insulation: Adding insulation to exterior walls is crucial for creating an envelope that maintains your home’s temperature year-round. Balanced wall insulation stops valuable heating and cooling from slipping away, reducing your utility bills.
- Band Joints: Overlooking band joints, which are found between floors of a house, can lead to significant heat loss and drafts. Insulating these areas can hinder air leaks, adding to your home’s overall thermal efficiency and improving your comfort.
- Crawl Spaces Insulation: Whether vented or unvented, crawl spaces require proper insulation to prevent moisture problems and improve energy efficiency. In these areas, consider using materials like fiberglass batts along with a vapor barrier to control dampness.
- Insulating Window Jambs: Insulating around window jambs can save you from feeling drafts. Foam sealant is typically used for filling gaps here. Ensure that you pick a low-expansion type specifically designed for windows so as not to distort jambs or frames.
Understanding How Much Insulation you Need
The amount of insulation you’ll need will determine the cost of your project. However, if you don’t already have the tools needed for an insulation project, make sure you factor that in.
For example, here’s a list of things you’ll need when installing insulation:
- Tape measure
- Exacto knife
- Hammer
- Pencil
- Gloves
- Eyewear
- Staple gun
If you’re installing batts, be sure to get insulation hangers. For blown-in insulation, find netting. Keep in mind that blown-in insulation requires a special machine. If you’re only interested in doing an at-home project, then you can rent a machine at a local hardware store (Home Depot).
Once you have your tools, you can determine the amount of insulation you need. To start, you’ll need to know the square footage of each room. Most walls are 8 feet high, but the length will change significantly. To calculate square footage, multiply the wall’s height by its total length. If a wall is 8 feet high and runs 20 feet long, then the square footage of the room is 160 square feet.
Next, you’ll need to know the wall’s depth. On average, a standard wall uses 2×4 or 2×6 studs, and batt insulation will come sized with these dimensions. Note that 2×4 batts are 3 ½ inches deep, and 2×6 batts are 5 ½ inches deep. Use this knowledge to determine what size you need.
Blown-in insulation is a bit more complicated. You’ll need to find the cubic footage of the area you want to install. You can do this by multiplying square footage by depth. If the square footage of the room is 160 and the wall depth is 3 ½ inches, then the cubic footage of the room is 54.4.
With this knowledge, you can start pricing insulation materials. Some materials are priced per square foot (i.e., cellulose and fiberglass), while others are priced per board foot (spray foam).
In Conclusion
Now that you’ve been equipped with the essentials for insulating your home, it’s time to take action! Don’t let another season pass by with you paying more than necessary on energy bills or feeling less comfortable in your own home. Start by assessing where your home stands in terms of insulation, and then reach out to a trusted contractor to begin making improvements.
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