How to Choose the Right Insulation for Your Home

Every homeowner should have a basic understanding of the importance of insulation—it’s what keeps the elements out and your energy bills low. There are tons of different types of insulation out there, all with different R-values, a rating of the insulation’s effectiveness.

Keep reading to learn more about each type and the best insulation for homes:

• Loose-fill insulation: Also known as blown-in insulation, loose-fill insulation is installed using a blowing machine to spread insulation throughout a large area. You’ll often find this insulation used up in attics or in hard-to-reach areas. Loose-fill insulation has an R-value of up to R 8, depending on the insulation material.
• Insulation batts: This type of insulation is essentially an insulation blanket. It comes in precut sections of insulation, typically made of fiberglass, cellulose or mineral wool. This is a fantastic insulation for home improvement enthusiasts, as it can be installed without the help of a professional. Standard fiberglass batts have an R-value of R 9 to R 3.8, but there are higher-density batts out there with higher R-values.
• Rolled insulation: The main difference between rolled insulation and batts is that rolls are rolled out between walls and ceiling frames, while batts are installed in pieces. High-density rolls have an R-value of up to R 3 per inch, so they’re highly effective for the price. Plus, these rolls can be cut to any necessary width for a snug fit between studs and joists.
• Foam board insulation: Foam boards are some of the most common types of insulation out there. These rigid boards can be made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, and they can be installed anywhere from the roof to the foundation. Depending on the type of material they’re made of, foam boards can have a very high R-value and are fairly inexpensive.
• Spray foam insulation: With R-values ranging from R 4 to R 5 per inch of thickness, spray foam is possibly the overall best insulation for homes. As this insulation is sprayed into an open crevice, it expands to fill every square inch of available space. This is a more expensive type of insulation, but it can pay for itself over time due to your energy savings.
• Radiant barriers: A radiant barrier is some of the best insulation for attics, but it works differently than the types of insulation mentioned above. Instead of reducing heat flow out of your home, radiant barriers reflect heat from your house. This insulation is made of aluminum foil over a foam board and will keep your home cool on even the hottest days. Another thing that sets radiant barriers apart is that they’re not measured in R-value.

Get your insulation today

Now that you know more about the best insulation for attics and homes, it’s time to install some in your house. While installing some insulation can be a DIY chore, we recommend leaving it up to our pros at Ace Insulation Inc. Contact us today to get a quote for your spray foam or blown-in insulation.

Categorised in: Home Insulation