Insulating walls is one of the best ways to decrease energy usage and save on utility costs, by helping regulate home temperatures and restrict heat transfer. Insulation helps control temperatures throughout your home while limiting heat transference between rooms.
Internal wall insulation installation shouldn’t disrupt your daily activities, but selecting the appropriate material is critical for successful results.
Types of Insulation
Insulation products can help homeowners reduce energy costs, make their homes more comfortable, and have a positive environmental impact. Which insulation suits your home best depends on its R-value requirements, money available to spend, ease of installation process and the R-value available from its manufacturer.
One of the most widely used types of thermal insulation for walls are fiberglass blanket batts or rolls, made from spun glass fibers melted together to form batts or rolls made from this inexpensive, fire- and moisture-proof material. Available both loose-fill form for easy placement into wall cavities or attic rafters/floor joists as well as rigid foam board insulation options, these materials make an excellent addition to your insulation arsenal.
Cellulose insulation, made of recycled newspaper and available for spray application or injection into cavities walls, offers another viable choice that has lower embodied energy than fiberglass insulation while remaining fire-resistant.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation comes in rolls or batts that fit standard wall framing, often featuring an adhesive backing to ease installation on framing members and in various R-value options suitable for most modern homes with two-by-four or four-by-four stud walls.
Insulation materials designed to resist moisture do a good job at protecting wall structures from moisture damage and mold growth, keeping walls dry and cool. They’re also noncombustible – an invaluable safety feature near potentially explosive materials like gas pipes or equipment.
However, fiberglass insulation can be itchy if it comes into contact with skin and its fibers can irritate lungs if inhaled without protective gear. Furthermore, its production requires significant energy usage; furthermore it does not rank as highly in terms of R-value per inch than some other forms. Furthermore, installation can create gaps that decrease efficiency; venting may be required to avoid moisture buildup that rots the insulation or causes structural damage elsewhere in your house.
Foam Board
Foam board insulation is a rigid panel used as wall insulation. Common materials for foam board insulation include expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polyisocyanurate (XPS), both closed-cell materials that trap air between its cells to limit heat movement into and out of walls.
Foam board insulation features an impressive R-value and can be utilized in numerous situations, ranging from sheathing drywall walls to special applications in basement walls. Furthermore, its lightweight nature makes cutting foam board easy with either a craft knife or picture framing mat cutter.
Foam board insulation should be secured to walls with either button cap nails or construction adhesive, with button cap nails typically preferred as they can be concealed into the wall, reducing puncturing risks on job sites while simultaneously sealing tight around wall studs.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is applied as a liquid that expands to fill any given space, such as an attic, crawl space or rim joist in an existing home, or into wall cavities for new construction projects. It has also proven useful when insulating concrete block walls and pole barns.
Closed-cell spray foam offers high R-values per inch and acts as an air and vapor barrier to stop heat transfer through air, thus helping prevent mold and mildew growth.
Open-cell foam sprays offer lower R-value insulation while still providing ample thermal and air barrier benefits. Furthermore, open-cell spray foam insulation is easier to work with and makes insulating awkward spaces much simpler.
Some forms of insulation can be installed by homeowners themselves; others need professional installation. When searching for contractors to perform your R-value requirement, be sure to obtain quotes; prices can differ significantly between suppliers! Proper application will ensure optimal performance of any type of insulation product.