What You Need To Know About Your Home Insulation System
If you are worried about your heating and cooling costs then it is time to upgrade your insulation. The best thing about choosing to upgrade is that you can do it yourself or hire an expert. If you want to find out more about what insulation is all about, the different types and costs associated with it then you should read along. Before you choose the best insulation system for your home, it is best to determine if you will be installing it from scratch or if you are adding to what you already have in your house. The reason for this is that each type of insulation system has its R value guide that measures the insulating materials’ resistance to conductive heat flow. So, the higher the measurements on the R value guide, the better the insulating functions. However, you need to be aware of the fact that when you increase the insulation in your home, the R value guide measurement also increases.
The Different Types
Optimum insulation performance is highly dependent on adequate and effective installation. Even though you can sufficiently DIY your insulation some types such as liquid foam insulation require you to hire a professional for installation. The following are the main types of insulation systems that are common for household purposes.
- Batts and Blankets
If you are into DIY projects then this is the favorable option and is the most commonly used type and it is easy to transport and carry. But you need to be very careful when you are sizing it for installation because when it is not fitted properly it may lose its effectiveness by a great margin. It comes in Fiberglass, Rockwool, and Cotton Batts. Each of the types depends on what you are looking for as well as climate effects.
- Loose-Fill
This type of insulation system is best for filling in small spaces to close up all the cold spots that are found in spaces such as attics and wall cracks. It requires a specific machine to be installed, so it’s best to call an expert if you are new to heating systems. It comes in Fiberglass and Cellulose but you need to be careful of the fluff from the material getting into your lungs.
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
These are well known for their efficiency when it comes to energy saving but they are the most costly because they are large boards and mostly used for new construction sites. They are best suitable for replacing roofs and basements. You can find Polystyrene or Polyisocyanurate SIPs and both depend on what use you need them for.
- Spray Foam
This is a plastic insulation system that can be filled as a liquid and expands into the available spaces. It is the most trusted system to fill in air leaks, gaps, and other cracks. To spray it properly, you need a professional with the right equipment.
The Takeaway
If you are planning on doing your home insulation yourself you need to know everything about what is required. The costs of each type of system vary according to the size of the material, so you will only know the cost estimate once you know how much you will need. If you are going to use a professional then you will have to pay more for the material and the labor but you will be guaranteed to have proper insulation once they have completed the job. You can find out more information online or call an insulation system company to find out what is the best choice for your home but whatever you choose the main important thing is that you will save a lot of money from all of your heating and cooling throughout the year.
