How Do I Know What Kind Of Insulation I Need?

With extreme weather from climate changes and strained electrical grid making power outages common, insulation’s importance has come to the surface. Insulation in its simple terms is the process of keeping heat, sound, or electricity from spreading. This process is done through different types and kinds of materials inserted into your structure, walls, attics, and floors.

So, is Insulation important?

A simple answer to this question would be a “yes”.  Insulation will help reduce your energy bills and as a result the carbon footprint because the temperatures will be controlled, resulting in less usage of HVAC systems. These two are the main factors and the important ones.

What should I insulate?

In order to get the best of insulation benefits it is important to insulate floors, walls, garages, and attics. This will prevent the heat from escaping through any weak gaps, keeping the temperatures regulated throughout.  

Diving into the types of insulation and benefits to choose the best for you

The kind of insulation you need will derive from various factors like the types and properties so you can choose the best option for your needs. There are numerous types of insulation;  

Blanket roll insulation is one of the most common types of insulation. It is made from sheep wool, mineral, or glass wool. It is very dense. It is the best for long and unobstructed spaces.

Pros: Easy to install and suitable for walls, between roof beams, and under the floor. Relatively inexpensive. Stops heat loss into the attic and keeps the walls cool. It is an eco-friendly material as well as biodegradable and has a long life span.  

Foam board insulation– Another type that is best for weighted areas. It is made out of polyurethane or polystyrene.

Pros: Can be cut to fit the different spaces and areas, and provides sound insulation.

Spray foam insulation- It is made from polyurethane. It fills up the hard-to-reach areas like behind pipes, and small spaces as it is sprayed into these spaces.

Pros: Easy to reach hard areas, fill all the gaps, and prevent air leakage.

Blown-in Insulation– It is made out of loose cellulose or fiberglass they are loose materials and it is blown into attics or walls where there is no insulation present.

Pros: It fills around odd shapes and cavities

Rigid foam insulation– It consists of sheets of polystyrene that are extruded or expanded. They are easy to tuck into basements or joists.

Pros: They provide a partial vapor barrier and air sealing. It is easy to install and does not require any equipment.

Batting insulation– Consists of glass fibers in puffy strips which can be with or without a paper or aluminum face. It goes into spaces like attics, walls, and in between crawlspace joists.  

Pros: Stops heat loss into the attic and keeps the walls cool

Blue jean insulation– It is a relatively newer option available in the market. It is made out of blue jeans, they are recycled and then shredded, and later they are treated with fire retardant chemicals.

Pros: It is cheaper and better for the environment.  

Wood fiber insulation– It is made out of shredded pieces of wood which are treated with fire-retardant chemicals. It can be a rolled-out or loose fill.

Pros: It is dense and, hence, does not allow the heat to pass through. It has a longer lifespan. 

What kind of insulation is best for me?

The best type of insulation will vary, looking at personal factors, regulations, and purpose.

Based on budget

One of the key things to look at when installing is how much budget you have available for the insulation. Every type of insulation has a different cost. The average cost of insulation for a home per square foot lies between $1.50- $5.00. If you are low on budget, it would be best to lean towards blanket roll insulation that ranges between $0.65-$2 per square foot.   

Climate

This is another factor that will affect your choice of action if you live in a moderate climate then you will not need to insulate every space and cranny. Hence you can choose the option that is relatively on the expensive side as it will give you good quality and you will just require a lesser amount.  

Purpose

Another key aspect you need to look at is why you want to insulate. If you think your energy bills are high then it is best to insulate the different parts of your property to keep the temperature regulated by preventing heat loss but if you want insulation from sounds as well then it would be best to choose the type that targets the noise such as foam-board insulation that costs around $3.75 per square foot.

Areas that need the most

This is another factor that will impact your decision on what kind will be the best for you. If you have tiny spaces, they will need to be filled with that kind of insulation so that is easy to get into such places like blown-in or spray foam insulation.

Government regulations

In a lot of spaces, governments determine how much value of insulation you can put in your homes. Something with a higher “R” value will provide more insulation. So, the kind will depend on how much is allowed so your decision will have to be based on that. Rigid foam has the highest “R” value, whereas spray foam has the lowest.  

The type of building

Area and building regulations will also have an impact on the decision. If it is a building that does not get enough sunlight then it is best to use the insulation that is the most efficient to give you the coolness and the warmth according to the seasons.  

Time

Another factor would be how much time you are willing to give to your insulation, whether you are putting it up yourself or hiring someone. If you are short on time then it is best to go for the less time-consuming option like spray-foam insulation.

Doing it yourself or hiring

This is another factor that will influence your decision. If you are doing it yourself it would be best to choose the easy-to-install option that does not require any equipment. But if you are getting it done by professionals then they will have the know-how and be swift at the job like spray foam- insulation.

Let’s wrap up!

After looking at the above statements we have established that each type of insulation serves a different purpose some can fit into any place and some can be altered to fit in. A lot of personal factors play a role in deciding the best type of insulation as well as the location and the government and building regulations. Overall, good insulation will have an impact on your energy bills as well as the comfort level in your spaces as it will prevent heat from leaking as well as give sound insulation, and keep the temperatures stable throughout the year.