Insulation is an excellent option for any house since it brings many benefits to your household, like lower energy costs and reduced noise levels. It makes your house energy-efficient and comfortable the whole year, even during the coldest or hotter seasons. However, before installing it, there are some details you must be aware of. Let’s see what you need to know about insulation basics.
R-Value
The R-value is the measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow. Therefore, the higher the R-value, the more resistant a particular material is to heat flow. Each area has its own suitable R-value, so you need to know which one is more suitable for your house before installing insulation. To have good cost-effective insulation, a good R-value is essential.
Insulation Types
There are many types of insulation, each one good for specific purposes. Besides, you can install insulation in many places of your house, and each place will bring particular benefits. Let’s see a bit more about insulation types.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most used types, if not the most used. It is made of glass fibers, usually mostly recycled. The installation process can be tricky, and fiberglass can cause damage to your lungs and skin if you don’t wear the proper equipment when installing it, so please leave this process to a professional.
This type has a good cost-benefit and wide utility, being used in many places of the house.
- Foam board or rigid foam insulation
Being way sturdier than batts or banket rolls, the foam board or rigid foam insulation can be found in many thicknesses and materials. They can be more expensive, yet they can be used almost anywhere in a house.
- Spray foam insulation
The spray foam insulation is cheaper and has a higher R-value than many types, so it is suitable for several houses. It helps reduce sound transmission, which is great for people who live in or near noisy places.
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)
The SIPS are high-performance building panels with insulating foam between two rigid board sheathing materials. It can come in several sizes, and it has an excellent R-value. They can save up to 12% of energy. However, they are not pest and insect-proof like other types of insulation.
- Cellulose insulation
Cellulose insulation is very famous, and it is made of up to 85% of recycled paper. It fits significantly building cavities, and some types are both insect and fire-resistant.
- How Insulation Works
Insulation stops the heat loss and heat gain of a building so that it won’t be colder during the cold season and hotter during hot seasons. It slows the rate of heat flow through your home, and you can see its efficiency through the R-value.
- DIY Insulation vs. Professional Insulation
Although DIY insulation seems like a good choice to save money, it is not recommended in most cases since insulation only works if it is correctly installed and made of efficient materials. Also, some materials are dangerous if you don’t have the proper knowledge. Therefore, it is always best to choose professional insulation companies.
Ottawa Insulations is the perfect choice for installing efficient and good cost-benefit insulation in their buildings or houses. See our website to request a personalized quote and get your home insulated.
