While home insulation is only one part of the energy-efficient cycle, it is essential. So, if you have started looking at attic insulation companies near me and are still unsure what everything is about. Here is a comprehensive guide on what you need to know about home insulation.
The Basics About Home Insulation
A short explanation of home insulation is that heat moves from high to low areas in the home mostly upwards. But it can move in different directions. For example, during winter, low-density air moves outside, and in summer, it moves inside the home.
Thus, in summer, cool air leaks out of the building once it sinks into the floor. So, all that insulation does is prevent this air from moving in or out of your living space. Hence, insulation is done in walls, ceilings, roofs, and floors to avoid air getting inside or moving outdoors.
When you use a home insulation pro, they can measure the effectiveness of the insulation's thermal resistance to heat transfer called the R-value. But the higher the R-value, the more it insulated the building.
Still, for adequate insulation, you need to control air leakage and moisture. Thus, all external doors and windows must be sealed with caulk.
Different Types of Insulation
You can find different types of insulation materials used for home insulation. Choosing the suitable material depends on what the building is made of. For instance, a concrete block wall is different from structural insulated panels.
The same applies to the insulation used from batts, rolls to sprays. Furthermore, the insulation facing differs keeps the material against the surface. But there are some main types commonly used:
Mineral Wool – also referred to as stone or rock wool is synthetic insulation you find in batts, rolls, loose-fill, and blanket forms. It is an eco-friendly product as it contains 75% recycled content. The technicians mostly use the material for floor, wall, and ceiling insulation or ducts. The R-value ranges between 22% to 37%, which is higher than fiberglass.
Fiberglass – glass wool's R-value is lower but is cost-effective with versatility as the weights are lower. However, the comprehensive strength is lower and consists of 20% to 30% recycled material. You find it in loose-fill and blanket form. The R-value is R-15 to R-38 and is used in floors, ceilings, walls, and wall cavities with hard-to-reach areas.
Cellulose – the material is made up of recycled paper with a high recycled content that is eco-friendly. The material builders used in the building stage in walls need to be packed dense. There is a spray form to spray on damp or blown dry.
Lastly, foam in two forms and polystyrene are used in concrete block walls.
These are only a few of the insulation forms available you can use throughout your living space.
Last Thoughts
When the time comes to have insulation done in your home, you have many choices regarding the R-value, performance, types, and material. The important thing you want is to reduce the home energy cost-effectively.
Doing this reduces your energy requirements and your utility bill. The other essential thing is that you need to insulate different areas of your living space. For the best results, we advise contacting home insulation companies to give you an estimate on the insulation you need.
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