What Type of Insulation Will Work Best For Your Home?

According to National Resources Canada, more than 16% of Canada’s yearly energy use is used to heat homes. Aside from detecting a high electricity bill, you may tell if your insulation needs to be installed or replaced by looking for air leaks and evidence of moisture damage both inside and outside your home. Attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages are some of the most typical parts of a house that need insulation.

Insulation is installed in exterior-facing walls or in the construction envelope of your home, which protects the interior from the elements. When it’s hot outside, it helps keep heat inside your house and traps warmth when it’s freezing outside. Noise reduction from internal and external sources is another advantage of outside wall insulation.

The resistance value, or R-value, of insulation, is how it is evaluated. The thickness and density of the insulating material are both correlated with R-value. The rate of heat transfer via the insulating material is inversely correlated with the resistance value.

The different types of insulation methods include:

• batt or blanket insulation;
• blown-in/loose-fill insulation;
• structural insulated panels; and
• spray foam insulation.

Batt or Blanket Insulation

This type of insulation, which is the most prevalent, is made of blankets and/or rolls made of plastic, mineral wool, glass fiber, cellulose, and/or natural fibers like wool from sheep. It is best used in areas like crawl spaces, attics, floors, and wall cavities.

Pros:

• Excellent if you want to do your insulation installation.
• May be simply shaped to fit and conform in any area with uneven surfaces.
• Hardware shops typically have them in stock.
• Blankets are pre-cut to easily fit between studs, trusses, floor joists, and typical wall framework.
• Affordable in comparison to other solutions.

Cons:

• R-value is lower than that of other insulating materials.
• Fiberglass installation calls for wearing safety equipment and clothing because it can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs.
• It is readily rippable and torn.
• Easy compression lowers effectiveness.

Blown-in or Loose-fill Insulation

A machine is used to blast loose-fill or blown-in insulation into cavities. It is a substance that resembles paper that can be formed of mineral fiber, fiberglass, or cellulose fiber. It is best used in compact enclosed areas like crawlspaces, attics, and roofs.

Pros:

• Excellent for filling in gaps, tiny or irregularly shaped spaces, and crevices, such as those surrounding pipes and ducting, as well as topping off existing insulation.
• Can be vacuumed up and utilized again in new places.
• Alternatives without cellulose are light enough for attics.
• Blown-in insulation is green because it contains cellulose fiber, which is 85% recycled paper.

Cons:

• Gaps at the top of cavities will develop as the material settles, necessitating the addition of more insulation.
• Fiberglass products can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
• Holds moisture, which can impair performance and lead to the growth of mold.
• It may become ineffective in extremely cold conditions.
• For typical ceiling construction, is too heavy if constructed of cellulose fiber.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

These panels, which are also known as rigid foam boards, are constructed from two boards with insulating foam sandwiched between them. Usually, polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyisocyanurate are used to create them. Best use: Newer homes or homes being built in the foundation, behind siding, and in the walls, roofs, and floors. To make outside walls more airtight, this is also good.

Pros:

• Water- and moisture-resistant.
• Can be utilized for insulation on the inside and outside.
• Reduces heat transfer via steel and wood studs.
• Due to its small weight, it is simple to handle and cut.

Cons:

• To maintain an airtight seal around any barriers, such as plumbing, it must be used in conjunction with other insulation kinds, such as spray foam.
• To fit around wires and pipes and stop air leaks, it must be correctly cut and sealed.
• Pricier in comparison to other possibilities.
• Not the best for pre-built homes, but rather for newly constructed ones.
• Usually not recyclable.
• Insecticide should be added because it is neither pest- nor insect-proof.

Spray-foam Insulation

This kind of insulation, which is made of polyurethane foam or liquid latex, is intended to fill in the cracks and crevices in walls and other surfaces. Using a pump applicator, it can be poured into small cavities or sprayed directly onto the surface. It can be made of closed-cell foam, which is denser and has a greater R-value, or open-cell foam. It is best used in small gaps and cavities, such as those surrounding windows and doors, open-cell foam works well. For bigger jobs, closed-cell foam is best, but it needs to be applied by a pro.

Pros:

• For minor cracks, crevices, and gaps, the flexible application is beneficial.
• Expands quickly before setting.
• After settling, it may be painted and/or trimmed.
• Blocks the airflow entirely.
• Lowers the penetration of sound.

Cons:

• Since it is primarily comprised of polyurethane and isocyanate, the application procedure generates harmful fumes and chemicals. About 24 to 72 hours after the substance has dried and set, it is okay to return to the area without protective clothing.
• Once the material has expanded and hardened, installation is messy and can cause leaks in the surrounding area.
• Has to be applied by a specialist in big regions.

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