Homeowner guide to insulation materials |
Posted: January 31, 2017 |
If you want to insulate your house and decided on a local company to implement this project for you, you made the right call. Letting a team of experts handle this task is much more effective than the DIY approach: you save time, get the peace of mind that the building is insulated properly and you also receive a quality guarantee for their work. However, one step of home insulation does require your involvement too: deciding on the best material. You will receive recommendations, of course, but there are many options available and it’s up to you to choose the one that strikes the perfect balance between cost and benefits. Each building has its specific requirements and apart from the R-value, you might also want to look at aspects such as environmental impact or sustainability. FiberglassFiberglass is one of the most popular insulation materials and it can be used on various areas of the house, including around pipes and air ducts. Fiberglass insulation is produced using molten glass and sand and around 30% of it contains recycled industrial materials. Its R-value varies from R-11 to R-38, based on whether you choose the blown-in or blanket version. It’s very cost-effective and offers more versatility in terms of design, but perhaps the best thing about it is moisture resistance. This material does not absorb or retain water. If you live in a humid region with plenty of rainfall, fiberglass is an excellent contender. One downside to fiberglass is that it can be dangerous during installation. If inhaled, tiny fiberglass shards can cause serious health problems, so you should never attempt to install it yourself. Leave this task to the experts, who always wear protective gear and do the installation using safe and controlled methods. CelluloseCellulose is the preferred insulation method for homeowners who value energy efficiency above all else. This is because it consists of 80% recycled newspapers and it doesn’t give off any toxic substances like formaldehydes or petrochemicals. R-value ranges from R-3.4 to R-3.8. although cellulose is naturally combustible, it comes fire retardant when treated with a special coating, so you needn’t worry about fire risks. As far as disadvantages go, the biggest downside to cellulose is that it tends to lose its R-value over time, so you will need to boost the thickness by 25% to make up for the loss. Spray foamSpray polyurethane foam is the fastest ways to insulate a house and it is surprisingly versatile. It can be used for doors, windows, attics, basements and ceilings, and, due to its consistency, it can seal even the smallest cracks. This makes it a great option for houses in extreme climates with freezing winters and hot summers, because it keeps the temperature inside at healthy levels. Offering high R-value, it also reduces moisture – and therefore mould and mildew. Spray foam is an excellent all-rounder and works for most houses in the long run, despite some talk to high toxicity levels. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that spray foam cannot be linked to toxic emissions based on existing evidence and that the only clear risk is that this material gives off harmful substances when it burns. Mineral woolMineral wool is another material that comes both in blanket and loose-fill form. It’s also environmentally friendly, because 75% is made up recycled industrial materials and, despite the higher price tag, it’s an excellent option because it offers reliability and value for money. Unlike other insulation materials, mineral wool does not require additional coatings to become fireproof. Mineral wool can be hard to find in the US, but it’s widely available in Canada and you can order it from companies like Great Northern Insulation. These are the most popular options when it comes to home insulation, but your provider might also present you with some other alternatives, such as plastic fiber or natural fiber (cotton, hemp, wool, straws). Insulation materials that are no longer considered safeNot all insulation materials are safe. In fact, certain options that used to be very popular in the past are now classified as hazardous. If your house was insulated more than ten years ago, make sure you ask a professional to check for traces of these materials:
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