There is no single magic insulation that can work for each circumstance perfectly. What works for one scenario may not work in another, so the ideal insulation for any home depends on a variety of factors.
Some considerations include cost, condition of the moisture levels, what is needed to be installed. Insulation material can come with different R Values (Resistance to heat flow). The higher the R-value, the better and material will resist heat flow. This means that higher insulation values are always better.
Different types of insulation have different R-values per inch. Cellulose, for example, has an R-value of 3.8 per inch. Whereas spray foam will be much higher at around 6 per inch, but sometimes it can vary depending on the manufacturer. Regardless, insulation is measured in total thickness which is equivalent to inches.
If a 3 ½ in. thick piece of fiberglass is installed in a 2X4 wall cavity, then the cavity itself would give an R-value of R-13 approximately. If the same area was filled with spray foam insulation, it would present an R-value of 21 to make up for the greater volume and better thermal properties.
Home energy professionals are trained to calculate the R-value of various different kinds of materials. The calculation is based on the point of interest, whether it be the roof, wall, or floor.
With increasing concern about the cost of energy, climate change, and cold winter weather, the US Department of Energy has put new standards in place to recommend insulation for buildings. These recommendations are based on which type of building you're looking at - the colder your winters are, the higher your insulation needs to be.
Our professionals will evaluate how much insulation is in your home and recommend an optimal amount based on the Department of Energy's guidelines.
