Best House Insulation Techniques by Type
There are many types of insulation you can use for your home. From fiberglass and rock wool, to spray foam and cellulose, there's more than one way to keep your home warm in the winter. This blog will discuss each type of insulation in detail, including the advantages and disadvantages, so you can make a more informed decision when it comes time to insulate your home.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is a great option for insulating your home. It can be used in attics, walls, and crawl spaces. Spray foam insulation is also more energy efficient than other types of insulation. Spray foam has an R-value of about 5.5 per inch, which is much higher than the R-values for fiberglass batts or cellulose. The best part about spray foam is that it's completely waterproof and airtight, so you don't have to worry about moisture getting into your walls or attic.
Loose Fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation is used in attics and walls to fill in gaps between framing members. This type of insulation is placed into areas that otherwise have a lot of air space around them, so it’s a good option if your home has wall cavities or floor joists that aren’t completely filled. Loose-fill insulation comes in fiberglass or cellulose fibers that are packed into wall cavities or attic spaces. The main benefit of loose fill is that it doesn’t require much labor to install — all you need is an extension ladder and some packing materials such as plastic sheeting and gloves. However, the loose fill can get messy when blown around by wind gusts, so it’s best installed during calm weather conditions.
Rigid Foam Insulation
Rigid foam insulation is the most common type of insulation. It comes in a variety of forms, including spray foam and expanding foam. Spray foam is applied in layers while expanding foam fills cracks and voids. Both types can be used to insulate walls, attics, and crawl spaces. Rigid foam insulation is durable and lasts for many years, so it's a good choice for homeowners who want to save money in the long term.
Rigid foam insulation is available as closed-cell or open-cell foam. Closed-cell rigid foam has higher R-values per inch than open-cell rigid foam but isn't as breathable. The open-cell rigid foam allows moisture to pass through it more easily than closed-cell rigid foam does because its cells are more porous. This makes open-cell rigid foam the better option for humid climates where condensation can occur on cold surfaces inside your home during the winter months.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint and is typically blown into walls, attics, and crawl spaces. It's one of the most environmentally friendly types of insulation.
Cellulose is made from recycled newspaper that has been chemically treated to make it flame-resistant (the same material used in fire-retardant clothing). The treated paper is mixed with water and glue, formed into flexible sheets, dried, and cut into batts or rolls.
The cellulose insulation is then blown through holes drilled in the wall cavity by a special machine called an "insulation blowing machine." The cellulose expands as it's blown through these holes, filling every nook and cranny in the wall cavity.
Cellulose is easy to install because it's so lightweight; it doesn't need to be cut as fiberglass insulation does. Cellulose also won't settle like fiberglass does over time — another reason why it's considered one of the best types of insulation available today.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is made from glass fibers. It’s a type of loose-fill insulation that comes in batts and blankets, and it’s added to walls and attics for energy efficiency and soundproofing.
Fiberglass insulation comes in two varieties: blown fiberglass and rock wool. Blown fiberglass uses an insulator to blow the fiberglass into wall cavities, while rock wool is used as a loose-fill material. Both kinds of fiberglass are effective at blocking air flow through a home, which helps reduce energy costs by keeping heat inside during winter months and helping keep cool air inside during summer months.
Takeaway: In short, there are many different techniques you can use to insulate your house. Some are fast and some are slow, but the most important factor is that you understand each one and how it can affect your wallet and our planet in general. Hopefully, this blog has helped you do that, and you can make a more informed decision about which type of insulation is best for your home.
Are You Looking for A Professional Insulation contractor in Mukilteo, WA?
At The ProClean Team, we provide quality residential and commercial insulation services for homeowners in the Mukilteo area. If you are looking for a professional insulation contractor that specializes in attic, wall, crawlspace, and basement insulation, look no further! We also offer window cleaning, pressure washing, and holiday lighting. Contact us today for a free estimate!
