Try the finest insulating materials that can be used when constructing or renovating a home when you are planning a new, remodelling an ancient gem of a property, or conducting needed improvements on your current abode.
Older homes that are prone to drafts might benefit immensely from additional insulation. It is not always likely to make a home’s insulation up to the level required by local building requirements, particularly if the building has inadequate rafters or other restrictive elements. Even if there isn’t a single ideal insulation for every case, some types are better than others based on the portion of the property that is being renovated.
- Attic Batts
- Rigid Foam Insulation
- Attic insulation
With a raftered roof, the attic area is virtually open, and you may use foam proportioners between the perpendicular joists to keep the room warm in the winter. Adding insulation above the finished floor of an attic with sloped rafters will help to keep the attic warm. In the event that you intend to convert your attic into a living space, install paper-faced fibreglass batts throughout every girder space, with the sheet side facing downwards.
The greater the thickness of the batts, the greater the R-value. When the girder space depth is insufficient to support thick batts, high-density batts should be used, or furring strips should be added to the rafters to enhance the rafter area depth as needed.
Alternatively, you can insulate the rafters without furring them by putting ordinary batts within existing girder spaces and then putting a coating of rigid foam boards insulating over the rafters to achieve the desired results. In order to establish a vapor barrier, foam board insulation is available in large, inexpensive panels that are installed with foam-safe adhesive & seam tape that binds the boards together. Drywall can be put on top of the planks to complete the look of the attic space.
Because heat rises, the majority of the heat in the home escapes through the roof. The appropriate type of insulation for a given roof frame structure and plans for the future for such attic are determined by these factors. Blown-in cellulose fiber is an excellent choice for roof trusses, which are distinguished by their short top and bottom chords, as well as smaller wood components arranged in triangular designs between them.
The task of cutting and installing fiberglass batts in an attic trussed with beams might be difficult, but using a blower can provide a consistent blanket of insulation that can reach even the most inaccessible places. However, insulation must not be installed in such a way that it prevents soffit vents or covers heat-producing lighting units.
Adding Insulation to the Walls
Remove all old, moist, or inadequate insulation and replace it with new fiberglass batts if you are replacing wallboard as part of the remodeling project. The use of a competent spray-foam insulation technician who will put expanding foam in open stud gaps & seal the voids is an even more energy-efficient option. It is not possible to install spray foam insulation on your own and it is significantly more expensive than batt insulator, but it has the greatest R-value of any insulation type.
- Increasing the amount of exterior insulation
- Installed insulation
Considering insulated vinyl siding which comes with firm foam added for an additional R-value if new siding is part of the remodeling plan. Exterior Insulating Finishing System (EIFS) is another alternative that adds a few centimeters to the outside dimensions of your home and has the appearance of hand-applied stucco on the outside. EIFS is a stylish insulation solution for the exterior of a home that is both professional and long-lasting.
The maximum thermal performance, measured in R-value, of insulation is highly reliant on the manner in which it is installed. Some kinds of insulation — such as blankets, boards, plus materials that may be poured in place — can be installed by homeowners themselves. (While liquid foam insulation products can be poured, they must be installed by a qualified specialist.) Other varieties necessitate the use of a professional installer.
Conclusion
It is possible for homeowners to add blown-in protection to enclosed stud areas in an unfinished attic at any time; however, for the superior heat resistance, or R-value, it is recommended that homeowners replace or add to existing insulation in areas where the wall construction is exposed during a remodelling project.
