Making sure you have sufficient insulation in your attic is key to saving energy and money. Here are the types of insulation that are best to use in your home, whether you are building a new home or upgrading insulation in your existing one.
Fiberglass Insulation
Having this insulation in your attic is often the best choice for homeowners and home builders across the nation. It has high thermal performance and increases the energy efficiency of your home. It’s flexible and low cost. It’s also inert and doesn’t settle. Fiberglass insulation from this company is one of the nation’s most popular choices.
Among the pros for this insulation is that it is relatively easy to install. It’s resistant to moisture and noncombustible. Half of its material is recycled so it’s an environmentally responsible choice.
There are a few cons to this insulation, although these can be mitigated to a degree. It needs to be installed by a professional as improper installations reduce its efficiency by a large degree. It’s not as efficient as other, more expensive choices in insulation. It also requires a lot of energy to produce and the manufacturing process releases greenhouse gasses.
Cellulose Insulation
This type of insulation is blown into your attic. It’s a loose-fill product that is practical and cost-effective to use. It’s a wood-based product that has the consistency of down feathers. When it is blown into an attic, it easily conforms around and fills in obstructions such as wires and ducts.
The materials cellulose insulation is made from recycled cardboard, office paper, and newspaper. It has an R-value of 3.5 per inch of thickness. Cons to cellulose insulation include that it settles over time, which can result in thermal bridges that transmit heat and cold to the outside air. It can also soak up moisture, which severely reduces its R-value and can result in the growth of mold and mildew.
Spray Foam Insulation
This type of insulation is very effective at stopping air movement. It has the highest R-value among types of insulation that are commonly used. When you install spray foam insulation, you don’t need a separate vapor barrier. It’s also effective at reducing sound transmission.
The major con of spray foam insulation is that it’s much more expensive to install than other choices. Its installation produces toxic gasses and is a messy process. You need to hire a specialized contractor to have spray foam insulation installed correctly.
Rigid Foam Insulation
Rigid foam insulation is relatively easy for contractors to install. Its R-value is close to that of spray foam insulation. It’s moisture resistant so it can stand up to exposure to water. It’s less expensive than spray foam insulation but more expensive than other choices, such as fiberglass insulation.
The cons of rigid foam insulation include that the contractor needs to cut it so it can fit around pipes and wiring. The cuts need to be sealed to ensure an airtight closure. It also needs to be covered by drywall if it’s used in the living space of your home.
Reflective Insulation
This type of insulation blocks radiant heat transmission. It works similarly to how an insulated thermos jug does in that it blocks heat transfer that doesn’t involve direct contact or airflow. This type of insulation is more common in warm climates. It acts as a vapor barrier and doesn’t compress or deteriorate over time.
Cons of reflective insulation include that it can’t be the only insulation in your home if you live in a cold climate. In a cold climate, reflective insulation is used as a foil layer over rigid foam.
These are the major insulation choices available to home builders and homeowners. Each has their pros and cons, so people need to weigh their choices carefully.
