Houses need proper insulation to maintain comfortable temperatures and save on costs. Insulation minimizes heat or cooling loss by slowing and reducing the movement of thermal energy throughout the house.
Despite the fact that most construction materials already naturally do this, they do not perform as well as materials made with insulation in mind. Good insulation products will not only slow the movement of heat in your home, but they will also keep it inside as well. This allows you to maximize and reduce your energy budget.
Below is everything you need to know about home insulation:
How Home Insulation Works
There are different types of insulation. Different manufacturers use a variety of materials in several forms like batts and blankets, loose-fill, blown-in, plastic foam, rigid boards, and reflective radiant barriers. Insulation works to minimize heat transfer through radiation, conduction, or convection, and some will function better than others, depending on what you choose.
Reflective radiant barriers keep the radiant heat from out of your home by reflecting that heat away while foam insulation board slows it down from entering through the roofs and walls. So, how well your insulation works will depend upon the material.
For people that are fond of DIY projects, you should look into fiberglass in blankets and batts as it’s easy to install. Loose-fill and blown-in cellulose and pellet materials and foam are also popular.
Insulation R-Values
The R-Value is the value of measure that indicates how well a two-dimensional barrier resists the conductive flow of heat. So, it is used in reference to windows, walls, ceilings, and insulation.
That said, R-values will tell you how effective your insulation is. The higher it is, the greater the material is able to insulate. For example, fiberglass blanket insulation has an R-value of about 3.27, while loose-fill insulation varies between 2.2 to 4.0, depending on the installation. Insulation with a very high R-value is sprayed polyurethane, playing around 6.0 to 7.3.
If these numbers get too confusing, there’s no need to worry, as professionals will be able to guide you through the differences and advantages of each option.
Home Insulation Tips
Insulation is very important in your home, so here are some tips to make sure your home is nice and comfortable:
- Insulation should essentially envelop your home. Where there is a barrier between heated and unheated space, you should have insulation installed.
- Don’t forget to insulate your attic. A properly insulated attic will significantly cut your fuel bill by up to 30 percent.
- Insulate your crawlspaces. This can take another five to fifteen percent off your heating costs.
- If you have a basement, its outer walls and foundations should also be insulated.
The Bottom Line
Insulating a relatively new home is easy to work. However, for older homes, it will be quite trickier. If your home had a broken roof, this can greatly affect the effectiveness of your insulation and would require a new roof right away.
Proper insulation in our homes plays a large role in energy efficiency. Not only will you feel more comfortable in your home, but you can protect your home and your family. This is a cost-efficient way to prevent damage to your home caused by heat and moisture.
If you are from the area of San Diego, California, and you’re looking for the best roofing contractor, we are exactly what you’re looking for. Here at Pioneer Roofing, we are committed to helping you keep your home warm during the cold seasons and keep it cool and breezy during hot seasons. Contact us today and let us help you!