When homeowners think about renovating their homes, they can envision changing wall colors, expanding the size of the room, or upgrading appliances and furnishings. However, unless people take stock of the less glamorous components of the home such as structure, plumbing, heating and cooling, and insulation, other improvements may be in vain.
A home insulation project certainly doesn’t offer the wow factor of a kitchen remodel, but insulation does an important role in the house, helping people feel comfortable and reducing energy consumption. The insulation is usually placed in areas where air is leaking, e.g. B. between the bolt cavities within the walls and in the attic, and serves to slow down and reduce heat transfer.
The US Department of Energy says that between 50 and 70 percent of the energy used in households is used for heating and cooling. By improving home insulation, homeowners can make their homes more comfortable, consistent, and efficient. According to the ENERGY STAR program, which is regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, adding proper insulation can save homeowners an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs. To this end, homeowners can take a crash course in home insulation and find the products that meet their needs.
Blanket hits and rolls
Ceiling battens and rolls are usually made of fiberglass, so proper safety equipment, such as a mask and gloves, is required when handling. Installation of this type of insulation is relatively straightforward as the materials are designed to match the standard width between the studs, rafters and floor joists.
Loose filling
Loose filling is usually made of fiberglass or cellulose (recycled paper fiber). According to The Home Depot, it is blown or sprayed on the spot using pneumatic devices. Loose fill can be ideal for hard-to-reach areas in attics or in interior wall voids. It works well for isolating irregularly shaped areas. Since specialized equipment is required, this is a task best left to professionals.
Spray foam
Spray foam is, as the name suggests, a foam made of polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, cement or other materials that are applied from a spray container. Do-it-yourselfers who only need small applications can use canned products. Large quantities are sprayed under pressure by experts.
Foam board / rigid foam boards
Ideal for untreated walls such as basement or foundation walls, floors and ceilings. These are panels made of polyurethane or polystyrene. Foam sheets tend to be more effective at reducing energy consumption than other types of insulation.
Homeowners considering upgrading their insulation or changing existing insulation should do their homework on the type of insulation that will be most effective for their homes.
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