The material used to insulate a building is called home insulation. Essentially, the purpose of home insulation is to prevent heat from escaping or entering the house by creating a barrier between the temperature in your home and outside it.
You may use many different materials to insulate your space such as fiberglass, cellulose, or foam and your choice comes down to your preference and specific needs from the insulation. Before you insulate your home, the most important things to know are the advantages of insulation and the differences in the insulation materials available on the market. Read on to find out more.
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The Advantages Of Home Insulation
Insulating your house has several advantages, some of which you may not have previously considered. In terms of comfort and savings on monthly utility costs, house insulation is the best thing you can do for your home. Making your house more energy-efficient can improve the quality of life for you and your family members.
The rising cost of heating and cooling will not be one of your worries if you properly insulate your house. If you need help to decide how much insulation material you’ll need to sufficiently cover your home, check out this insulation calculator. Covering the entire house is crucial if you want to reap all the benefits of insulation – insulating only a part of your house is equal to having all but one window closed during the cold winter. Insulating your house is also a great way to save money.
You may save money on your monthly energy costs by having your attic or walls properly insulated, and the increased comfort you’ll enjoy is honestly hard to quantify.
Choosing The Right Insulation Material
As we’ve mentioned before, there are three main types of materials used for insulation. All of them come with both benefits and disadvantages, making the decision ultimately our own. If the insulation is properly applied, the difference in material is minute.
Fiberglass
The most commonly used material is fiberglass. Attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists are just a few of the places where fiberglass insulation may be used, while staples are often used to secure the material in place. When it comes to the advantages of fiberglass, the best one is that it’s the most affordable option and the easiest for installation.
Disadvantages on the other hand are that it may cause skin inflammation when handled improperly, as well as sneezing and coughing. Additionally, as a result of its porous nature, fiberglass provides a breeding ground for mold spores.
Cellulose
Cellulose is the oldest material used in house insulation. It may be wet sprayed for new construction, dense-packed into walls and floors, or blown into attic cavities as loose-fill. Furthermore, it aids in the retention of heat and has the ability to reduce noise levels. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using cellulose insulation.
Pros are that it can be made out of recycled material, so if you care about sustainability this is the right choice for you. It’s also a low-cost option and if you treat it with aluminum sulfate, boric acid, or borax you will be well protected against mold, bugs, and fire.
What’s also great is that installing it is simple, however, a bit more complicated than fiberglass insulation since you’ll need to rent out a cellulose-blowing machine. When it comes to disadvantages, loose-fill cellulose can cause large gaps to form between the wall cavities resulting in high energy costs and unpleasant indoor conditions. It should also be kept dry at all times for full protection.
Foam
When it comes to foam, you have to choose between open cell and closed cell spray foam. Most often, open-cell spray foam is utilized for residential buildings, whereas closed-cell foam is more appropriate for metal constructions with exposed walls. Insulation made of spray foam is an effective air barrier and an effective insulator for crawl spaces, attics, rim joists, and basements.
One of the greater benefits of spray foam is that it doesn’t hold water, meaning it can’t develop mold and mildew. Additionally, it’s a great way to reduce noise coming into your house from the outside. Cons on the other hand include its cost. However, just like other insulation options if applied incorrectly, you will deal with air leakage. It also requires more expertise to be installed, so make sure to hire a professional contractor who has previously handled the material.
