One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills throughout the year is to replace the insulation in your home. Buildings that are more than 10 years old can lack high-quality insulation and allow heat to escape in the winter, and heat to get in during the summer. Choosing the right type of insulation with the proper R-value is important. If you’re living in a climate where winters get extremely cold, like Minnesota, choosing insulation with a high R-value is critical. In warmer climates, insulation with a low R-value can be a more cost-effective option.
Insulation Options
Each type of insulation has advantages and disadvantages that should be considered. Choosing the right one for your insulation replacement job is important for the energy-efficiency of your building.
If you are considering insulation installation or replacement this summer, here are your options.
Blanket Insulation
Blanket insulation is a popular and relatively inexpensive form of insulation. It can be made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, plastic, or rockwool. Because it comes cut in rolls that fit standard stud and joist spacing. While it’s possible to cut blanket insulation, it can be hard to fit into irregularly sized spaces.
Foam Boards
When you’re looking for insulation that is perfect for exterior wall sheathing, foam boards might be your answer. These stiff panels can be installed from the roof to the foundation and are especially useful for attic hatches.
Liquid Spray Foam
Made of polyurethane, liquid spray foam is able to create air-tight seals. The open-cell foam expands to look like a sponge by trapping air bubbles. Closed-cell foam is filled with gas and creates a product that will expand in any space where it is placed. The closed-cell foam is more expensive than the open-cell option, but it makes it easier to completely fill a space with insulation.
Spray-foam insulation needs to be mixed with special tools and should be installed by a professional. It is one of the most effective forms of insulation and will keep air from escaping from cracks and small holes in your home.
Loose-Fill Insulation
For spaces that have odd shapes or are hard to reach, loose-fill insulation could be your best option. It is made up of small particles of foam created by fiberglass, cellulose, or rockwool. Because of the loose structure, they can be easily put into difficult spaces.
Insulating Your Home
There are specific areas of a home that need to be more insulated than others. Since heat rises, having proper attic insulation can keep warm air in throughout the winter. It can also minimize the heat that enters your home in the summer. Adding insulation to your attic and roof could end up reducing your energy bills significantly.
Windows and doors are also areas of major energy loss. To minimize the heat that escapes, you can use a foam sealant spray to go around your windows and make sure there aren’t any leaks. Installing all-weather windows can also reduce the loss of heat in the winter. That’s why window replacement is also a great way to insulate your house against extreme temperatures.
