The Lowdown on Insulation

spray foam insulation

Insulation – that word can mean so many different things to a contractor, but to a home owner, it’s usually just something in the walls that helps regulate the temperature of your home. Assuredly, however, there are many different types of insulation, each perfected for specific uses. If you’re looking to build, renovate, or simply make your home more energy efficient, it’s a good idea to have a clear understanding of what you’re getting into before you obtain quotes from contractors. HA Construction is here to help.

What in the World is an R-Value?

R-Value is how insulation ability is measured – the ability to resist heat. The higher the R-Value, the better the insulation performs at maintaining desired temperatures in your home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR website has a chart available to show what the recommended R-values are for the various climates in the United States.

Types of Insulation

Insulation comes in several forms, depending on your need. Some types require a professional for installation, and others are a simple DIY project. You can use the different types of insulation together, especially when you’re adding more, higher rated, insulation to a space that already contains some (but not enough). The types of insulation include:

batt / roll insulation

• Batt / Roll – Batt insulation or roll insulation is basically a blanket of insulation that comes in large sheets. They’re made from mineral fibers, such as rock wool or fiberglass (which requires eye protection when installing because the particles are so small). You may have to trim batt/roll insulation to fit the space it is going into, especially in awkward spaces, such as near window frames. Pros and homeowners can install roll insulation. There are also options for vapor-retarding facing (keeps out moisture) and flame-resistant facing.
• Loose-Fill – Loose-fill insulation, usually installed by a professional, is insulation in the form of loose fiber pellets that are blown into a space, often wall or unfinished attics. For new home construction, loose-fill is often mixed with an adhesive or foam to keep it from settling.
• Foam – Installed by professionals using a special mixture and spray process, foam insulation is available in open-cell (which allows water to flow through more freely and has a lower R-value) and closed-cell.
• Rigid – Rigid insulation is a board-like formation of fibers or plastics. It also produced in molded pipe coverings. This form of insulation is often used on outer walls before siding is put in place, or around air ducts in walls, crawl spaces and basements.
• Reflective – This aluminum insulation is most effective in reducing downward heat flow, which means it’s often used between roof rafters, floor joists and wall studs.

loose-fill insulation

What Type of Insulation to Use

While the descriptions above gave you some indication of where to use each type of insulation, many of them are interchangeable in a variety of locations around the home. These factors will help you narrow down your options a little better:

• The amount of insulation needed
• How accessible the location is for installation
• The type of space that needs insulation
• Cost and availability of the insulation types

Where to Start

If you’re looking to save energy, then the best place to start with adding insulation is the attic. By default, if you can see the attic floor joists in an unfinished attic, then you don’t have enough insulation – they should be covered.

You can find more information regarding installing insulation on the Department of Energy website. However, there’s nothing like a one-on-one evaluation and discussion of your insulation needs. Call Andy at HA Construction today to set up an assessment.