The R-value attributed to your home’s location will be determined by the local building codes. R-values differ dramatically across the country; for example, someone in Maine may have a different minimum necessary R-value than someone in Arizona. All builders should understand the local requirements. R-19 is the number for floors and walls in Maine, whereas R-30s and R-40s are the values for roofs. There are many different types of home insulation to choose from, but your final decision will be based on the following factors:
Your family’s framing style
Home insulation with greater R-values keeps the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is requested that you choose an R-value 50% higher than the minimum requirement for maximum energy efficiency. Do it, however, in a practical manner. Do not rely on the builder or yourself to slap a high R-value insulation on any place at random. Instead, read the manufacturer’s instructions. There are two types of home insulation: moisture movement-friendly and non-moisture movement-friendly. Close-cell foam is the type that doesn’t allow any moisture to pass through. The kind that permits comes in three varieties:
- Loose fil
- Batt
- Open-cell foam
Loose-fill comprises fine foam, fiber, fiberglass, mineral wool, slag wool, rock wool, or cellulose particles. The insulation is applied by blowing these particles into a home’s ceiling, walls, or attic with pneumatic guns.
- Fiberglass is mainly composed of 20-30% recycled glass and other natural components such as sand.
- Mineral wool is generally made out of industrial by-products that have been reprocessed.
- Blast furnace slag, aluminosilicate rock , and dolomite or limestone make up rock wool.
Slag wool is made from the byproducts of steel production. Slag and rock wool insulations are more environmentally beneficial because they repurpose waste or by-products from other operations that would otherwise wind up in landfills. According to producers, they also take less energy to manufacture. Slag and rock wool insulation has a high absorbent capacity and is bacterium and mold resistant, non-flammable, and non-combustible.
Because of its composition of recycled newspaper and natural wood, cellulose insulation is popularly recognized as the “green” home insulation type. Among its competitors, it has the highest R-value. The R-value of blown-in insulation, on the other hand, can only be determined after the insulation has been installed. The extra benefit of cellulose is its fire-retardant chemical additives, granting it a class-1 fire classification. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has set criteria for cellulose insulation.
Insulation batts
The fiberglass is positioned between the studs, on the floor, or stretched out across the ceiling in traditional fiberglass home insulation. Mishandling is one of the leading causes of ineffectiveness. According to the California Energy Commission studies, even a half-inch gap can reduce efficiency by 50%! There are various fiberglass batt insulation options available; chat to your local builder about which one is best for you.
