Ultimate guide to home insulation

Home insulation is one of the most important things you can do to improve your home’s energy efficiency. It’s also a relatively quick and easy process that will save you money on utility bills.

There are different types of insulation available, each with advantages and disadvantages.

If you’re ready to insulate your home but aren’t sure where to start, read our simple guide to the process:

Determine what type of insulation you need

When it comes to insulation, there are three main types: fibreglass, cellulose, and foam. Fibreglass is a good choice for older homes because it’s inexpensive and easy to install.

Cellulose is a good choice for newer homes because it’s more effective at keeping heat inside the walls than fibreglass. Foam works well on poorly insulated homes or areas with lots of water intrusion from flooding or snowmelt.

Choose your insulation materials

Before starting, it’s essential to understand the different insulation materials. Many kinds of insulation materials are available, each with pros and cons. The right material depends on what type of home you’re insulating:

If you’re building a new home or remodelling an existing one, choose foam board as an insulator because it’s easy to install and lasts longer than other options. It also protects against fire damage from cigarettes or flames.

Opt for cellulose fibreglass batt insulation if your current house is ten years or older but doesn’t require major remodelling work. It can be used alone or combined with another insulation type depending on how much you want to spend each year on energy bills.

Determine how much insulation you need

To determine how much insulation you need, calculate your home’s U-factor. A lower value means a more efficient insulation system can handle higher temperatures.

The U-factor can be measured with a thermal imaging camera and compared to other homes in your area. Once you have this number, you can determine how many inches of insulation are needed by multiplying that number by R-value per inch (R).

Select your R-value

R-values measure thermal resistance, which is the ability of a material to resist heat flow. They are determined by testing materials in a laboratory and expressed in units.

The higher your R-value, the lower your home’s temperature when it’s heated or cooled with electricity.

Decide where to insulate

Insulate the attic: The attic/loft is the first place to start when considering home insulation. It is a large expanse that holds lots of heat during cold weather.

You can start or add to existing insulation by sealing all gaps between rafters and beams with caulk or spray foam.

You can also cover individual joists with rigid foam boards to create a continuous layer. This will help protect against condensation issues that arise from wet wood.

Insulate walls: Next up are those walls; this step will involve covering them with either spray foam insulation or cellulose-based closed-cell spray polyurethane board.

Both materials work well for insulating homes because they’re lightweight yet durable enough to protect against air infiltration and support remodelling projects involving drywall installation.

Insulate your home effectively

Installing an air barrier between your home’s interior and exterior is the most efficient way to insulate it.

You can achieve this by installing a vapour barrier on the exterior of your house or by sealing off any cracks in walls, floors, and other surfaces.

After you’ve finished these steps, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to insulate specific areas of your home.

Conclusion

Contact Insulating Homes for professional services if you are unsure what insulation your home needs.