Installation of Insulation is one of the best and most cost-effective improvements you can make for your home. Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can save you money by reducing the energy needs of furnaces and air conditioners. Making sure the areas between your walls and the outside world, and even your inside walls, are filled with the right material can ease the damage to your pocketbook in particularly cold winters and keep you toasty warm at the same time. Insulation is important and there are important things about insulation that everyone should know.
Types
There are four standard types of insulation. The first are batts and blankets – the big rolls of fibreglass or other material that are the most common type and what most people think of when they think of insulation. It’s easy to install but because it’s made to fit between joists and rafters it can let in some cold through the cracks. Loose fill is used predominantly for ceilings and works well though it can lose some effectiveness at very cold temperatures. Structural insulated panels offer great energy savings but can be pricier – they’re made to cover the entire surface of roofing or siding – and need to be cut in order to make room for pipes that should be sealed with foam.
The last type is spray foam. Spray foam goes on as liquid and then expands to fill the space available sealing off any cracks or gaps and preventing air leaks. It’s fired into cavities between and over framing and then the excess is cut away to leave a flat surface. Spray foam is typically more expensive than batt insulation but holds the heat better.
Where to Insulate
The best place to insulate is anywhere you can feel the cold coming in. For most homes cool air is primarily lost through the attic which is why it’s the best place to start if you’re looking for return on investment. For newer homes insulation is sometimes not installed around built-in garages and this can be a significant source of thermal loss. Any new additions and any exterior walls should be well insulated as well.
Getting your home properly insulated is a must and winter is approaching swiftly. Start reaping those savings now. If you need your home insulated go with the experts at George Kent – contact us today for a quote!
