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It
doesn't matter what climate you live, insulation is a main key
ingredient for keeping your utility bills at a minimum. There
are a number of different types available to the new homeowner.
However, if it is not properly installed, you may as well not
have any at all.
Check
around with local professionals to find out exactly what
materials and techniques they recommend and at what price they
charge.
Compare
the features and benefits for each type of insulation, then
decide which one will be best for your home and budget.
There
are eight factors to be concerned with when choosing insulation:
R-Value-The
measured rate of proficiency for a product to resist heat
transfer. The denser and thicker the insulation, the better
the R-Value.
Air
Infiltration-if joint areas
are not sealed air can leak through the wall causing a
dramatic increase in utility consumption. All seams and joints
should be properly sealed within the wall cavities as well as
on the exterior of the home.
Vapor
Control-without proper vapor
control, condensation can build up within a wall causing the
insulation to become wet and less effective. Over time,
condensation can cause major structural damage as well.
Indoor
Air Quality-The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has found different types of insulation to be hazardous
to human health.
Some
products have been known to emit harmful gases, where others
release their fibers into the air.
Both
can affect the indoor air quality of your home and ultimately
your health. Go to: http://www.epa.gov/
and type
"insulation" into
the search window to find several articles on this topic.
Pest
Control-some types actually have been found to
attract pests, therefore some manufacturers have added
pesticides to their product to retard pest invasion.
While
this may be an added feature, it could at the same time reduce
the air quality of your home.
Durability-When
you build a home, you want it to last for a long time. Some
types can deteriorate over time.
Make
sure that the insulation put inside your home has the
capability to endure the life of your home.
Cost
– Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways
to save money on heating and cooling your home. Therefore,
don't skimp on this budget...be wise and get the best
insulating system possible for your money!
Oops,
I almost left one factor out-SOUND
CONTROL! It doesn't matter what type of home in
which you live, it is "WISE" to make sure that
no-one will be disturbed by intrusive noises. To
properly sound proof a room-all sides must be considered. That
means all four walls, the ceiling, and yes even the floor.
Perhaps, you plan to build a
theater room, or another noisy room in your
home...including bathrooms. Well, by all means...
Don't
forget to insulate it!
There
are a number of different methods you can use to insulate.
Therefore it is "WISE" to ask a certified professional
to find out which system would work best for your home:
Walls
and Ceiling-My husband and I have personally used
densely blown cellulose between the wall studs; applied 1"
thick Styrofoam sheets over the walls and ceiling; and finally
topped all that off with gypsum board. This works great to
drastically cut-down noise transmissions though a wall.
The
addition of small-loop carpet to the walls will also help
absorb sounds, but if that look isn't for you then an
alternative would be to upholster the walls with a heavy
batting and fabric.
There
are professionally
designed wall sound-proofing products available through
building centers.
http://www.owenscorning.com/around/sound/commercial_acoustics/nc-wallasmblies.asp
Floor-wall-to-wall
carpet with a thick, dense pad will do nicely to help absorb
noises. Bare floors only magnify the sound, but if you are
insistent on hardwood, vinyl, tile, or any other "bare"
floor then large area rugs can help to some degree.
As
you can see, there is more than one method used to install
insulation in your home and more likely than not, you will use a
variety of methods for your home. Following are a five different
methods of installation among those available on the market
today.
Batts
and Blanket -Made of either fiberglass or mineral
wool formed into either rolls or cut into sheets.
This
type of insulation is fairly easy for the do-it-yourselfer to
install. But, make sure that you have caulked around the
internal wall joints-anywhere air could find its way into your
home.
http://www.simplyinsulate.com/
Blown
-A dry material made of either cellulose,
fiberglass, mineral wool, perlite, or vermiculite.
I
wouldn't recommend anyone but a qualified professional to do
this job. "BeWISE" if you don't do it right, the
insulation material could settle down into your walls leaving
huge gaps of unprotected space.
However,
when this type of insulation it is done properly-and with the
right type of material, it could be one of the best forms of
insulation you can get. http://www.cellulose.org/facts.htm
Sprayed
-Made of either polyurethane, cellulose,
fiberglass, mineral wool, or cementous foam that is literally
sprayed between the wall studs before the interior wall
surface material is applied.
Manufacturers
claim that this method is one of the most efficient air
barriers available.
If
you are interested in this type of insulation, find out how
thick the company applies the foam, how long they guarantee it
to last, and what air quality concerns there may be.
http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/ee6.html
Rigid
or Semi-Rigid Boards-Sheets made of polystyrene,
urethane, phenolic foam or fiberglass.
These
sheets come with a higher R value per inch when compared to
other types of insulation, but the main drawback is that this
product is highly flammable.
Specific
measures need to be taken when using this type of insulation
to protect your walls from fire hazards. Check with your local
building codes to find out what is required.
Reflective
and Radiant Barriers-although
they have been around for quite some time, not many persons
are very familiar with them.
Reflective
Insulation is available in sheets made of several layers
metal foil and
other materials designed to trap air and reduce heat transfer.
Radiant Barriers come in the form of laminated foil, plastic
films, or liquid coating designed to reflect heat away from
the surface that it is applied.
Both
are used to increase the performance of other types of
insulation and must be installed correctly to work optimally.
Go to: http://www.rima.net/
It
is "WISE" to get familiar with all the different types
of insulating systems, how each type should be properly
installed, as well as their prices in order to make an informed
decision.
Below
are some web sites with information for your research:
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