4 Types Of Residential Insulation To Compare When Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Your Home

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It's easy to forget about the insulation in your home since it's out of sight. However, if it seems like your energy bills are always high or if you have a hard time keeping warm or cool in your home, bad insulation could be to blame. If you're not sure if your home has enough insulation, consider having an energy audit done. Adding more insulation or getting all new insulation might make a noticeable difference in your comfort. Here are four common types of residential insulation to consider buying.

1. Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulation is common because it's affordable. Plus, fiberglass batt insulation is easy to install, so you could even put it in yourself. Besides batt and roll insulation that you stuff between the floor joists and wall studs, you can also have fiberglass bits blown into your attic or behind an exterior wall.

Fiberglass insulation is manufactured from sand and recycled glass. It's naturally noncombustible, and it resists moisture and mold. Fiberglass has been used as residential insulation for decades, and it's still a good choice for your home.

2. Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation might be worth considering too. It can be sprayed on your attic or crawlspace walls to block heat transfer and improve insulation. Spray foam can also be used on exterior walls. This kind of insulation is hard once it cures, so it's different from soft, fluffy insulation. Since it's hard, the insulation can add structural support to areas that need it. Spray foam is harder to install, so you'll probably want to hire an insulation contractor if you choose this type of insulation.

3. Cellulose

Cellulose is used with blown insulation. This is a popular type of residential insulation since blowing insulation in your attic or between walls provides better coverage than trying to close gaps with blanket insulation. The bits of cellulose can fall in cracks to close gaps, and it can fill areas with unusual shapes.

The contractor blows the insulation to the far corners of your attic to provide a fluffy blanket of coverage on the floor with no gaps for air leaks. Cellulose is treated with fire retardant and chemicals to repel bugs, so it's safe to have in your attic or wall voids.

4. Mineral Wool

Mineral wool is another popular type of residential insulation that comes in blown and batt forms like fiberglass. Mineral wool isn't related to wool fabric. Instead, it's spun from stone fibers from volcanic rock or from molten slag, which is a waste product from steel production. Mineral wool is made from recycled products, and it has several good qualities.

The insulation doesn't compress over time and lose insulating ability like fluffy insulation. Instead, it maintains a constant ability to reduce heat transfer over the years. Mineral wool is also fire-resistant, and it is an effective sound barrier.

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23 April 2021

Visiting Better Businesses

When was the last time you really stopped to think about the businesses you frequent? Although it can seem like an inconsequential decision, the fact of the matter is that the businesses you work with each and every day can really impact your overall way of life. I wanted to create a better life for me and my kids, so I began thinking carefully about the places we worked with. We began focusing on visiting more locally owned and operated businesses, and it made a big impact. This blog is all about visiting better businesses and making them a part of your daily life.