While you can't show insulation off to the neighbors, adding or improving it can save serious money and energy. It also makes your home more comfy. You'll notice the difference on those extremely hot or cold days as well as when you get your utility bills. It also helps to regulate moisture levels, which can head off serious home disasters like mold, water damage and wall cracks.
Insulation is the best investment you can make in a long-term residence. Even if you go for more expensive materials and pay a hefty price upfront, you're almost sure to recoup that money with lower utility bills over time. If you don't have the money to do your entire house, consider one area at a time. Continue Reading
These come in sheets that are rolled out and cut to fit into wall spaces in between beams and then covered with drywall. The thickness varies, depending on your needs. Rolled insulation is generally the most affordable way to go, with both the materials and labor being cheap.
Loose fill (blown) insulation
Loose fill or blown insulations are used when insulation needs to be placed in hard-to-reach areas, such as attics, crawl spaces and under floors. For this reason, the installation costs for blown insulation can be higher depending on how difficult the area is to access.
Rigid board insulations
These types of insulations are installed in the same fashion as wall board or drywall and go exclusively into walls. Rigid board insulations are more expensive but effective, so the cost of installation will be eventually offset by energy savings.
Poured (injected) insulations
In extremely difficult to reach or oddly shaped areas, you can use injected and poured insulations. These materials often start as foamy and, after drying, become hard and stiff. They are more expensive but not used in large quantities, since they're only used in smaller areas. Foam sprays are supposed to be healthier than cellulose and fiberglass.
Insulation R-value
The R-value is designed to be a measure of performance. It measures how well insulation resists heat transfer. R-values vary based on the thickness, density and type of material being used. Insulation with high R-values often cost more but save you more on utilities bill.
