Questions and Answers about the right Insulation Materials

1. Where in my house is more insulation needed? Attic spaces are generally where most heat loss occurs in the winter and most heat gathers in the summer There are few other reasons to focus on your attic as well. In short, unless you live in a tropical area, if you want to cut down on wintertime heating or summer cooling costs, you need to focus on your attic insulation.
2. What kind of insulation should I choose? For insulation, the range of options is huge. Each option has their own pros and cons. If you lack the expertise or time for this task, we recommend hiring an expert like Spray Foam Insulations to professionally install insulation and find what's best for your needs.
3. How much insulation should I install? When choosing insulation, possibilities are determined by what is available to you and any recommendations from the government. The cost of insulation can be quite high, but we hope we can find the balance between performance and price for you.

Most Used types of Insulation

Cellulose Insulation (R-3.8 per inch)

Made from recycled newspapers, this product is fire-proof and mold-resistant. Cellulose insulation is a type of insulation that can be used in attic upgrades, but it also has other uses. It can be blown into wall or floor assemblies for example.

Fiberglass batts (R-3.2-3.8 per inch)

There are different widths and thicknesses for batts and their size is based on where they fit in the house. Batts work best in enclosed cavities.

Batts shouldn't be used in places like basements or other moist areas because they lose R-value when wet. They're also more difficult to install correctly & should only be used by professionals.

Loose-fill fiberglass (R-3.4 per inch)

Fiberglass insulation is made from fine fibers just like cellulose insulation. Loose-fill fiberglass is mostly used in attics and installed with blower equipment.

Spray foam insulation (R-4 to R-6.5 per inch)

Spray foam has a few different names, but most people know it as Spray Polyurethane Foam or SPF. Hardware retailers sell SPF in disposable cans or “single part” cans for the purposes of filling gaps and cracks. The two-part spray which mixes together with the nozzle is usually better at filling larger gaps because it includes more foam.

As soon as foam is released from the hose, it expands to fill gaps between material, insulates against temperature fluctuations, and seal cracks.

Rigid foam insulation (R-4 to R-6 per inch)

Rigid foam is manufactured and often used because it's flat, light-weight, and comes in different thicknesses and types of foam.

Unlike batt insulation, rigid foam boards will not lose their R-Value and will not be compressed when faced with water or humidity. They're also great for fixing cracks and gaps in other parts of the house such as but not limited to the basement and the crawl space.

Choosing Insulation

There is no one-fit-all material for all your needs.

• Location - What part of the home are you insulating? The attic or the basement? Insulation materials vary depending on your situation (for example, whether it's wet).
• Composition or Content - Though they're somewhat different, mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, cellulose and polyurethane each have their own merits and prices.
• Foam or installation details - When it comes to insulation, you have three main types - batt fiberglass, loose-fill cellulose, blown in products or rigid foam. Not all are appropriate for every home.
• R-value - R stands for Resistance to heat transfer. No matter what type of insulation, it will have an R-rating. This is measured in R-value per inch. To work out the total R-value, multiply the insulation's per inch R-value by its thickness.

Before you make your Decision:

Keep in mind about composition material, difficulty installing, R-value, and Price

Upgrading your insulation system is always a smart choice. To accomplish this, the movement of heat from the inside/outside of your house needs to be slowed down. This means installing a good-quality insulation system in both the interior and exterior walls, in addition to any windows or doors you might have.

Insulating your home to optimal environmental conditions will save you time, money & frustration. You'll no longer have rooms that are too cold or too warm. Saving hundreds of dollars annually.

In the majority of homes, insulation is either not present or it's been installed incorrectly. Correct installation by a professional insulation expert will prevent air from escaping those unsealed air pockets and bad weather from seeping through poorly insulated areas.

Knowing the basics of the different installation options will help you make better decisions about what will work best for your house and what part of your house has the greatest need.