Roof Insulation Batts – Are Batts The Best Option For your Roof Insulation?

Home Improvement - Apr 21,2014 - No Comment

Everyone starting out with residential insulation wonders if roof insulation batts are a good option.

Fiberglass and cellulose are available as roof insulation batts. These are pre-cut to different sizes, widths and r-values. Measure your roof size and find out the local building codes about the minimum required insulation and buy the insulating materials that you need. This will allow applying for grants and concessions from the governments.

What Are Roof Insulation Batts?

These insulation materials are also available as blankets, which come as rolls of continuous material. For attics and roofs batts of r-value 30 to 38 are needed. For basements and walls different r-values are needed. Basic minimum values will be mentioned and these are not written in concrete. So, buy what is optimum for your needs while following all the rules.

These batts will lose their effectiveness if they are compressed. Another problem arises when it is cut to allow for appliances and electrical wiring as this allows air a free passage through the cavity. This again negates the whole purpose of having insulation, which is to prevent air transfer.

Having even small gaps will defeat this. Special care is needed in installing fiberglass batts. Installation experts will have the required experience and knowledge on fixing these problems and also get the maximum benefit out of the fiberglass batt insulation.

Installing Roof Insulation Batts

Fiberglass insulation is available in the form of batts and blankets. You can use a combination of both to insulate your roof. When opening the batts be careful to get the package lengthwise and it will quickly expand to the full volume once the package is fully opened.

The batts can be laid perpendicular to each other in two layers and the blankets can be used to go over the joists and other uneven surfaces, studs and other gaps where the batt can’t go.

Any gaps between the batts can become bypass for air movement. This can also become sites for moisture condensation. Fiberglass does not absorb moisture but moisture reduces the effectiveness of fiberglass insulation and reduces its r-value drastically.

A snug fit is important for the batts to give maximum benefit. If it is not possible use blow in loose-fill into the gaps left between the roof insulation batts. This will reduce air infilteration. Adding a layer of radiant barrier on the exterior will further reduce energy loss.

Pros and Cons of Roof Insulation Batts

Fiberglass batts are not the best option for insulation as other better options are available. An expert can guide you towards the best options in your areas for effective sealing of homes from air transfer and heat transfer. Some are also moisture resistant. They have several advantages over fiberglass as roof insulation batts.

Cellulose and cotton batts are also gaining popularity for roof insulation, which is considered environmentally safe. They have a higher r-value of 3.7. The materials used are recycled clothes, industrial scrap and other naturally available materials. No chemicals or petrochemicals are used in the manufacture of these batts.

So, as a green option this is highly recommended.

A few disadvantages are that they don’t have high efficiencies in terms of insulation like polyurethane foam. Also, moisture if it gets into the batts can play a major spoilsport, as it would be very difficult to dry a cotton batt.

Advantages for cellulose batts are the higher r-value compared to fiberglass batts, the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, the lack of toxic substances, no cancer risk from airborne fibers etc. Disadvantages are that the cotton batts are difficult to cut. Contractors will charge extra to cut these batts and it needs skillful handling to fit the batts into the cavities and spaces.

Residential Insulation Comparison – Things You Should Know

Roof Shingles - Apr 14,2014 - No Comment

When it comes to residential insulation comparison, the major kinds of insulation to analyze are blown-in insulation, batt insulation, and spray insulation. Each has unique advantages and disadvantages over the other, and a comparison of residential insulation reviews will be helpful to any home owner when it comes to deciding which one to use.

More than differences, all these forms of residential insulation are similar in essentials. All forms are effective in keeping buildings heated (or cooled), minimize air leaks and are easy to install without being over expensive. But beyond these features, there are unique advantages or benefits to using one form over another. Choose the form that is ideal for your building or home and you can save money while enjoying the greatest value from your home insulation.

Residential Insulation Types

Blown in insulation is where the gaps between wall layers are injected with loose material for insulating the room. The material is powered into the space between wall panels and roofing by air under pressure. The insulation material commonly chosen is cellulose, fiberglass and rock wool.

Batt insulation is made up of formed material that is loosely packed into walls. Fiberglass with paper backing and cotton or foam boards are the commonly used ones. Spray insulation is a more recent development, in which compounds are sprayed using special equipment into wall spaces. The polyurethane foam compounds dry up and swell, sealing off gaps and insulating walls and ceilings.

Residential Insulation Cost

The reason to engage in residential cellulose insulation against spray foam insulation comparison is because there is a difference in cost, both by way of installations and also from savings on power consumption from minimizing heat loss. The heat retaining capabilities of various kinds of residential insulation differences is based on the R value, an index of heat transfer resistance.

When R value is higher, the material is more effective at residential insulation which translates into greater cost savings from heating or cooling the building. Attic insulation comparison charts will therefore mention R value ratings as well as focus on other elements that impact local insulation comparison.

Residential Insulation Differences

Durability is a major factor of differentiation on residential insulation comparison charts. Cellulose insulation settles down over time, creating spaces which lead to heat seepage and loss. Foam insulation comparison shows pretty uniform performance regardless of the kind of foam used. And on overall apartment insulation comparison studies, it was found to be better than with cellulose.

Fire safety is also of concern, and fiberglass insulation comparison studies prefer it over cellulose insulation which is inflammable. Treating it with fire-retardant substances helps in the short term, but the efficacy of this wears off over time.

Blown in and batt residential insulation comparison leaves little to choose one over the other. Both are likely to settle, but apart from that, they are effective insulators and lead to homes being highly energy efficient.

There are certain to be opinions on either side of the fence when it comes to rigid insulation comparisons. Eventually, however, there is no doubt that there are significant differences which will help picking one over any other, and a residential insulation comparison exercise will serve any home owner well.

Insulated Panels – An Energy Efficient Roofing Solution

Home Improvement - Apr 07,2014 - No Comment

Rigid Foam panels also known structural insulated panels have gained prominence in the building industry for the many benefits they offer over the ordinary wooden frames traditionally used in construction. The core made of rigid foam insulation is sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB), plywood or metal.

Contractors use OSB backed panels for residential buildings. Every part of the home including the roof, walls and floors can be built with OSB foam panels. Pre-fabricated rigid panels come pre-cut to the required dimensions with necessary openings for doors and windows.

Insulated Foam Panels

Homes constructed with insulated foam panels are extremely energy efficient as the house is completely air sealed. The construction is stronger as these panels are structurally stronger than traditional wooden frames. Also, the ease of setting up cuts down on the construction time drastically.

The pre-fabricated, pre-cut walls come with provision for electrical wiring and fittings. Independent studies say the building time can be reduced by as much as 50 percent as jobs such as assembling of the wooden frames, adding insulation ,backing it with sheathing or drilling for electricals in the wooden structure are eliminated. Building homes with rigid panels saves money, time and also labor.

These rigid foam panels are manufactured in various sizes and thickness. The r-value for is dependent on the thickness of the insulation and also the core insulation material used. The usual r-value range is R-7 to R-8. The core can be polyurethane, expanded polystyrene or Polyisocyanurate. Field tests conducted reveal that these insulated panels homes far outperform homes constructed with other insulating materials in terms of energy efficiency.

Alternative Residential Insulation

Other residential insulating materials like fiberglass batts, cellulose batts, cotton batts have R-values of R-4 to R-5 maximum.

Pour foam insulation, spray foam insulation have better R-values but they suffer from disadvantage as some parts of the house like wooden structure and metal frames are made of conducting materials and conduct heat to and from the house.

Blow-in cellulose, and other insulation material do not completely seal the house and suffer when moisture gets into them.

Why Insulation Panels Are Popular

The reason for the effectiveness of insulation panels is because it uniformly covers all parts of the house – ceilings, walls and floors. There are no structural members like wood or metal to conduct the heat away or into the home. Other insulation materials are usually blown or sprayed around these structures, which are naturally bad insulation materials.

Long-term and even in the short-term the cost savings and other benefits are quite plain to see. First your home benefits greatly from thermal-resistant, pest-resistant and moisture-resistant properties of foam insulated panels for years to come. You will also start saving on your energy bills. Your heating and cooling costs come down by almost 50 percent because of the insulation.

There is lesser building waste to dispose during and after construction. There is no need for any special equipment or DIY kits to set up the rigid panels. You save on labor costs as the time for setting up these pre-fabricated panels is huge almost 50 percent according to some estimates.

Your home appraisals will be higher as benefits of insulation are long term. But the initial cost of the insulated panels is higher than construction with usual frames and materials. But the many benefits they offer offset the higher initial costs of the panels.

Residential Foam Insulation – Which One Is Right For You?

Home Improvement - Mar 30,2014 - No Comment

Residential foam insulation is a newer replacement for low-rise homes that used to be insulated in the form of loose-fill materials like cellulose and fiberglass. The use of foam insulation for houses carries many benefits like enhanced effectiveness and lack of moisture build-up within wall spaces. But there are many different options available and choosing the right one for your residential insulation needs is important.

Spray Polyurethane Residential Foam Insulation

Spray foam (SPF) is a more recently popular material used in diy residential foam insulation by contractors who are aware of the significant benefits of this material. SPF comes in open cell and closed cell forms for residential spray foam insulation purposes. Both are chemically identical, but have some different properties that make the choice of one over another individual.

Both forms provide excellent air seals, a point that’s important for residential foam insulation ceiling fillers. As the liquid ‘sets’ it expands filling up any gaps, which makes this an attractive material in the opinion of many residential foam insulation contractors. It beats out older materials like cellulose and loose fill materials, making it the first choice that residential foam insulation homeowners demand from their contractors.

The one drawback, if it may be called that, when using SPF for residential attic insulation is that it is combustible, and needs to be formulated with fire-retardants and additives that minimize the risk of inflammation and smoke. A thermal barrier is necessary while insulation work is going on in residences for this reason.

Residential Foam Insulation Options

When it comes to residential home insulation, the two forms of SPF are not entirely interchangeable. The air leak impact is better with open SPF and it has a lower installed cost too. Residential insulation contractors will also point out the ability of the foam to absorb water from leaks, moisture, and condensation.

Closed cell SPF, like residential styrofoam insulation, is hydrophobic and doesn’t absorb water. It also hardens as it dries, trapping air bubbles within it and being harder to compress. Since it is denser, there is a need for more material in apartment foam insulation, making this a slighly more expensive installed option.

Local foam insulation contractors will usually be willing to offer a free quote and assessment of your home to decide which kind of building insulation material is ideal for your needs. Residential foam insulation is a market that is growing so rapidly that contractors are competing against each other for more clients, and you can get some nice freebies thrown in and negotiate a good price if you shop around before making your choice.

Like with commercial foam insulation, residential building foam insulation also has some problem areas. Roofs are more likely to failure from local foam insulation than walls and other areas. When leaks happen in the roofing, it is hard to recognize them early because the insulation is water-proof. This means water and moisture can seep into walls unseen, and cause more damage than when picked up and repaired early.

Residential foam insulation using polystyrene foam, because of a high R value and the ease of application, water-proofing and adaptability to fit into all crevices and niches, has a higher rating and popularity among home owners who are seeking to insulate their buildings. Making sure you choose the right kind of residential foam insulation will ensure that you enjoy the highest benefit from your home.

Blown In Attic Insulation Or Loose-Fill Insulation – Which Is Better?

Home Improvement - Mar 23,2014 - No Comment

Cellulose, cotton, wool, wood shavings, recycled glass and spray foam are used as blown in attic insulation for roofs and lofts. This type of insulation material is useful to fill gaps in walls or wall cavities, attics and other hard to see and reach areas, which need insulation. It’s extremely convenient for this type of insulation as the loose-fill or spray foam can reach every recess, cavity and crevice, fitting in and adapting to the shape of the space that needs to be filled in.

For materials like cellulose the loose fill is usually blow in with some moisture so it can go and stick to the walls. After all the insulating material is sprayed to fill the space it has to be allowed to dry completely. Wet cellulose or similar insulating materials are bad insulators and there is rapid loss of r-value. So, give enough time for it to dry before sealing it off.

What is the procedure for Blown In Attic Insulation?

It’s fairly simple. Two holes are drilled in the wall – one at the top and other at the bottom. if it’s in attic or basement cavity – then two holes for each cavity or section needs to be drilled. Blow in the loose-fill from bottom. Then top-it up by blowing in more material through the top hole. Wait till the insulating material is completely dry. Use hot air if necessary. Then seal off the holes.

Advantages of loose fill insulation

Blown in attic insulation has certain advantages that are environmentally friendly – most of these are recycled materials like newspaper, recycled cloths, wool and safe for people working with these insulating materials. With an r-value 3.4 – 3.8 per inch. With batts it’s difficult to seal of odd-shaped spaces. Loose fill has no such problems. No petrochemicals or chemicals so, no danger of any toxins getting into the air.

Disadvantages of loose fill insulation

There are certain shortcomings of blown in attic insulation that we need to consider. It does not seal of bypasses as well as spray foam insulation. If the insulating material is very heavy the ceiling might sag. The contractors will know how to avoid this problem. Cellulose settles over time. This reduces its r-value significantly.

It can absorb moisture so suitable provision needs to be made prevent this. If air infiltrates fiberglass loose fill then it can severely affect the r-value of this loose fill. Fiberglass loose fill does not absorb water but if it gets wet then its insulating properties gets affected.

Compared With Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam poly urethane insulation has a higher r-value compared to cellulose of fiberglass loose fill. The foam once sprayed expands and seals of all the nooks and crannies in the spaces much more effectively than blow in cellulose or fiberglass. The adverse impact of hydrochloroflurocarbons on environment and ozone layers is well known.

Also, if this insulation material catches fire, it releases toxic fumes, which are bad for health. All foam insulation need fire retardants and drywall backing.

Building codes for insulation change from place to place. So, some place like Houston will have different requirement than say New York. Find out if you can opt for green and safe blown in attic insulation for your home.

Residential Insulation Types – A Guide To Understanding Home Insulation

Home Improvement - Mar 16,2014 - No Comment

Understanding residential insulation types and learning about technical terms like “residential insulation R value” or wrapping your head around the vast range of residential insulation materials is one of the most bothersome parts about owning a home. Let’s try and simplify the different residential insulation types for you so that you are able to make intelligent and informed decisions regarding your home insulation needs.

Insulation is something every home requires in order to be more energy efficient and save on power consumption for heating or cooling. Home insulation is essentially the process of filling up spaces between wall panels with insulating material that traps heat and prevents loss or leaks. There are many different residential insulation examples that are all efficient.

Residential insulation contractors can help you find all the information you require to make the right decision about home insulation. You’ll need to know the home insulation type and the R value of residential insulation that best meets your local weather and other conditions. All this will govern the kind of insulation you will choose, and direct you towards researching foam insulation types or cellulose insulation types as is appropriate.

A good guide to residential insulation types will also be able to point you towards any financial incentives you may be eligible for when you choose particular building insulation types.

Economic Benefits From Residential Insulation

Homes can reap rich energy savings from choosing the right apartment insulation types. That makes it all the more important to carefully choose between spray foam insulation types which have certain advantages even if a little more expensive, and other alternatives like fiberglass insulation types. Spray foam requires specialized equipment, making installation more costly, but because the insulation covers all niches and crevices, it is more effective and has a higher R value.

Residential insulation causes may be leaks in roofs or attics, older constructions with outdated insulation processes, or damage to walls and ceilings. Attic insulation types were different many decades ago, and residential insulation types based on cellulose or loose fill material often develops leaks because of the settling down effect of the material used to line the gaps. This leads to a fall in efficiency over time.

Be sure to explore all the common residential insulation types like blankets (roll and batt insulation), rigid insulation types (like foam sheets and boards), loose fill (cellulose, fiberglass, foam), liquid (spray foam, polyurethane foam and other compounds) and also other natural home insulation options before picking the one best suited for your specific needs.

There are many books and guides to help you along this path. Browse the Internet and you’ll find many articles, some of them by expert contractors, which will help you understand the nuances better. A residential insulation contractor can give you any further information you need and answer your questions or clear up your doubts regarding residential insulation types.

After this you’ll be in a position to make sense of the various residential insulation types and choose the one best for your own home, and then enjoy rich savings by way of lowered energy costs.

Most Common Attic Insulation Types

Home Improvement - Mar 07,2014 - No Comment

There are a variety of different attic insulation types that people oftentimes have to choose from, depending upon how they are going to insulate their home. Needless to say, this process can be somewhat confusing given that most people really spend very little time thinking about insulation, home construction, and the types of standards that are needed to maintain a home in good working order.

Fiberglass insulation has easily become one of the most popular attic insulation types in the world today. This stems largely from the fact that asbestos has been rejected as an insulator given the fact that it possesses many properties which have been known to be very damaging to people.

Needless to say, nobody wants to jeopardize their health in an effort to stay warm. Therefore, as asbestos was quietly taken off the market, fiberglass insulation took over. There are many different types of fiberglass insulation. Perhaps the most popular is the pink insulation that many people have come to know as being synonymous with attic insulation.

If you’re seriously considering the different attic insulation types that are available, you may want to sit down and ask yourself whether or not you are prepared to spend the money necessary to get the very best type of insulation possible. In many ways, you need to look at this as a long-term investment.

It makes no sense to focus on the amount of money you will need to pay in the short term given the fact that your savings as a result of utilizing this type of high-quality insulation will only come over time by way of saved energy costs and reduced consumption of electricity or other fuel that powers heating and cooling apparatus in your home.

Most experts will tell you that attic insulation types are oftentimes graded based on their insulation value. The so-called R-value of insulation is what helps people determine whether or not it will actually help keep the cold out and the warmth in.

But it also pays to realize that insulation works both ways — meaning that it also helps keep out hot weather when you have air-conditioning on inside. The R-value that insulation is assigned will help you determine just how effective it will be.

When it comes time to actually purchasing attic insulation, it certainly makes sense to try to shop around for the very best deal possible. Not only can you potentially save yourself a lot of money, but you can also save yourself a lot of aggravation if you take your time and really make sure that you understand what you are purchasing.

If you are not the kind of person who is comfortable installing different attic insulation types, it makes sense to hire somebody to help you with the process.

Most Common Mistakes With Fiberglass Attic Insulation

Home Improvement - Feb 28,2014 - No Comment

Fiberglass attic insulation is not the cheapest type of insulation on the market today, but it is one of the most reliable, and therefore one of the most heavily used. It makes sense to understand what people are doing as it relates to this particular type of insulation so that any mistakes can be avoided. Nobody really likes the idea of having to try to do something more than once.

Many building contractors indicate that a big mistake that is typically made with fiberglass attic insulation is that it is not applied in sufficient quantities to truly make a difference.

Now, this may vary from region to region. It is very hard to come up with generalizations that apply to all situations. However, it does appear increasingly likely that fiberglass attic insulation is not applied in sufficient quantities to really make sure that the dwelling is adequately insulated.

Another very common mistake that is made with fiberglass attic insulation is the manner in which it is installed. You need to remember to always install the paper portion so that it faces the actual wood. Many times you will see situations in which the paper is applied on the side that is visible. This is a mistake. This will essentially trap moisture within the attic and create problems. It is a mistake that can easily be rectified by taking care while installation that you are doing it correctly.

Yet another mistake that is often made is to install fiberglass attic insulation in a manner that is somewhat clumsy but not really well thought out. If you do a haphazard job of applying this type of installation, it is more likely that you will encounter problems may need repairs later. In addition, incorrectly applying fiberglass attic insulation will also result in a homeowner having to purchase another type of insulation to augment what is already there.

Something else to seriously consider is whether the fiberglass attic insulation that you are thinking about using comes with any kind of manufacturers warranty. The reason why this needs to be pointed out and asked is because you don’t want to get into a situation where you are installing fiberglass attic insulation that may not necessarily have been correctly manufactured. Not only will that be less effective, but it could also prove to be much harder for service repair teams to come and fix in the future.

In the final analysis, fiberglass attic insulation can really make a big difference in the overall appearance of a person’s home. It certainly makes sense to seriously consider this type of insulation for your own home and dwelling while keeping in mind some of the mistakes we have highlighted.

Roof Insulation Batts – Are Batts The Best Option For your Roof Insulation?

What Are Roof Insulation Batts?

Installing Roof Insulation Batts

Pros and Cons of Roof Insulation Batts

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Residential Insulation Comparison – Things You Should Know

Residential Insulation Types

Residential Insulation Cost

Residential Insulation Differences

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Insulated Foam Panels

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Why Insulation Panels Are Popular

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Spray Polyurethane Residential Foam Insulation

Residential Foam Insulation Options

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