Replacing or installing new insulation in your home is one of the easiest ways to reduce your home energy bills. In addition to making your home more energy-efficient, insulation absorbs sound, making your home quieter, offers moisture control, and makes your home overall more comfortable to live in.
Choosing the right insulation is important, especially in areas where winters can get very cold or summers are very hot. When choosing insulation you need to consider things such as the R-value, cost, and insulation type.
At Unified Home Remodeling our home building experts can help you determine the right insulation for your home. In addition to our services, we’ve also put together a guide on things to consider when choosing new insulation for your home.
What Is R-Value
R-value refers to the measure of a material’s ability to resist heat transfer. Material with a higher R-value will transfer heat slower than those with a lower R-value. The insulation experts at Unified Home Remodeling can help you determine what R-value is right for your home to best serve your needs.
Types of Insulation
There are a few different options you can choose from when it comes to insulation. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, here are the main types of insulation for your home.
Blanket Insulation
Blanket insulation is made from a variety of materials that may include fiberglass, plastic and rock wool. This type of insulation tends to be a popular choice among homeowners, and tends to be inexpensive. This insulation often comes in large rolls that are meant to fit into standard stud and joist spacing which can make it difficult to use in irregular sized spaces. The fiberglass in this kind of insulation is both fire-resistant and moisture-resistant which is another perk to choosing this blanket insulation.
Foam Boards
Foam boards are generally used for exterior wall sheathing. This type of insulation is made of stiff, rigid panels that are commonly used in attics. They provide a high insulation value despite being quite thin. Keep in mind however that these boards must be covered with gypsum or other fire-resistant coatings in order to meet fire safety standards.
Liquid Spray Foam
Liquid spray foam insulation is made of polyurethane which is in a liquid spray foam. This is ideal because it is able to create air-tight seals as it expands to fit any space where it is placed. Unlike other insulation types spray foam must be installed by a professional as special tools are required. This is one of the most effective and efficient types of insulation and will help keep air from escaping from cracks and small holes in your home. While it is not the most affordable option when it comes to insulation, its benefits will offset the cost.
Loose-Fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation is ideal in spaces that have odd shapes or are hard to reach or are difficult to insulate. This type of insulation is made of small particles of foam that consist of fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool. Loose-fill insulation is most common in New York for attic spaces. Loose-fill insulation can provide the highest R-value because it allows you to choose a specific R-value that is correct for your home since it is able to fill any small or misshaped spaces and is manually filled by a professional.
Where Should You Insulate?
When it comes to insulating your home, some areas require more insulation than others. The attic is one of the most important areas of the home for insulation since heat rises. In winter months having a property insulated attic will prevent your home from losing warm air while keeping the cold air out and in the summer it will help prevent the cold air from escaping from your home while preventing the warm air from getting into your home. Both of these benefits of home insulation will positively affect your energy bills leading to lower monthly bills and a more comfortable, temperature controlled home.
Windows and exterior doors are two other areas that are prone to energy loss. Ensuring both are properly sealed and insulated will help reduce energy costs and keep your home’s temperature warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Make sure when shopping for windows and doors that the products you are installing are properly insulated, installed by a professional, and custom made to fit the opening of your home. Stock sizes of windows and doors will not fit the opening of your home correctly which will leave small gaps and holes for air to seep through.
Finding Under-Insulated Areas in Your Home
Typically, there are some common areas in the home that tend to be either uninsulated or under-insulated. Typically you can identify them because you will notice they allow air to pass through and you have difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature in these areas.
Some common areas include the:
- Attic.
- Basement.
- Crawlspaces
- Exterior Walls
- Floors
- Garage
- Windows
If you are concerned about the insulation in any of these areas in your home, a member of the Unified Home Remodeling team can help you determine if they require additional insulation.
Brands We Recommend
At Unified we work with the following insulations brands:
Owens Corning
AttiCat® is an expanding blown-in PINK® Fiberglas™ Insulation that is installed using the ProCat® loose fill insulation system. This insulation is both safe and reliable, and is installed quickly and efficiently with no mess.
Contact Us Today For New or Replacement Insulation Installations
Shopping for insulation for your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Our team is the leading insulation contractor in New York and our team of experts will work with you to make sure your home is properly insulated.
Our expert team will assist you by walking you through every detail you need to consider and find the right insulation for your home, meeting your specific needs and requirements because every home is different. Contact us today and receive a FREE Consultation from one of our home remodeling experts, and we will help you select new insulation for your home. Call us today at (888) 631-2131 or contact us online.