What Type Of Insulation To Use In Walls

When it comes to choosing the best internal wall insulation for your home there are two main criteria you need to consider.

What type of insulation to use in walls. In general the insulation s method of installation can give you an idea of how it compares to other types of insulation. Fiberglass insulation is done mainly between joists beams and studs. While rated differently these two types of insulation are close enough in thickness that they can both fit into modern two by four wall systems. It starts out as a liquid during the installation process and hardens into thick foam after a few minutes.

The type of insulation you should choose depends on how you will use it and on your budget. Check behind knee walls which are walls between living spaces and the garage or attic. Some spray foam offers twice the r value of traditional batt insulation making it a useful option for insulating shallow spaces. Insulation decreases the amount of heat entering from outside when it s hot and traps warmth inside when it s cold.

While closed cell foam has a greater r value and provides stronger resistance against moisture and air leakage the material is also much denser and is more expensive to install. The different types of insulation. If the walls and ceiling will remain open not covered with drywall or plywood it s a good idea to use paper faced or encapsulated fiberglass bats that are wrapped in a plastic film. Exterior walls and floors.

Spray foam wall insulation. These will give the walls a slightly more finished look and you won t have the itchy fibers of the insulation exposed and ready to catch dust at all times. Spray foam is one of the more unique wall insulation types. Unfinished walls such as foundation walls and basement walls floors and ceilings.

Whether you want to insulate a floor or an unvented. For every type and material of insulation check the r value per inch of thickness that the manufacturer has listed. All these characteristics make it preferable for householders to use this type of insulation for their homes. Insulation is rated by its r value.

Turn off the electricity then remove an electrical outlet cover for a view of exterior insulation. R value measures how resistant types of insulation are to heat flow. Foam board or rigid foam panels best for. A higher insulation r value usually means a higher price point as well.

What parts of your home need to be insulated and what are the r value recommendations for each of those areas. In most wall applications you will use r 13 or r 15 kraft faced fiberglass insulation rolls for these two by four stud walls. Check garage walls and ceilings that are adjacent to conditioned spaces.