What insulation should i use

Liquid polyurethane is sprayed into the cavity of the wall, where it then expands and hardens into a solid foam. When insulating a larger area, homeowners can use a pressure sprayed foamed-in-place option. Spray foam comes in two constructions: open-cell foam or denser closed-cell foam.

Closed cell foam has the highest R-value of any insulation, around R Blown-in insulation is applied using a machine that blows a paper-like material into the space to be insulated. This type of insulation is often made of fiberglass, rock wool, or reclaimed cellulose material like recycled newspapers or cardboard , which conform to fit nearly any type of location—even the peskiest obstructions.

For blown-in insulation, R-values range from R Simple insulation jobs may be DIY-friendly if you rent an insulation blower, but consider calling a professional for best results.

Best for: Unfinished walls such as foundation walls and basement walls , floors, and ceilings. Whether you want to insulate a floor or an unvented low-slope roof, foam boards and rigid foam panels can get the job done. Homeowners rely on this type of insulation—which is usually made of polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyisocyanurate—for both exterior and interior wall sheathing. Foam boards work well to insulate everything from foundation walls and basement walls to unfinished floors and ceilings.

R-values typically vary between R-4 and R Best for: Attics, unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors—especially in hot climates. Reflective or radiant barriers work differently than most types of insulation, and so its effectiveness is not measured by R-values. While standard insulation reduces heat flow in a home, reflective insulation instead reflects the heat away from the home to prevent heat gain and radiant heat transfer to cooler surfaces indoors.

The insulation is constructed using a reflective barrier like aluminum foil placed over a substrate material like kraft paper or polyethylene bubbles. Homeowners in warmer climates typically place reflective or radiant barriers in the attic between joists, rafters, and beams, since the attic is where most heat enters a home.

Installation here, too, can be done without a professional. Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. There are two types of foam-in-place insulation: closed-cell and open-cell.

Both are typically made with polyurethane. With closed-cell foam, the high-density cells are closed and filled with a gas that helps the foam expand to fill the spaces around it. Open-cell foam cells are not as dense and are filled with air, which gives the insulation a spongy texture.

The type of insulation you should choose depends on how you will use it and on your budget. While closed-cell foam has a greater R-value and provides stronger resistance against moisture and air leakage, the material is also much denser and is more expensive. Open-cell foam is lighter and less expensive but should not be used below ground level where it could absorb water. Consult a professional insulation installer to decide what type of insulation is best for you.

Other available foam insulation materials include:. Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer foam. Icynene foam can be either sprayed or injected, which makes it the most versatile. It also has good resistance to both air and water intrusion. Tripolymer foam—a water-soluble foam—is injected into wall cavities.

It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion. Liquid foam insulation -- combined with a foaming agent -- can be applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure-sprayed foamed-in-place product.

Both types expand and harden as the mixture cures. They also conform to the shape of the cavity, filling and sealing it thoroughly. Slow-curing liquid foams are also available. These foams are designed to flow over obstructions before expanding and curing, and they are often used for empty wall cavities in existing buildings. There are also liquid foam materials that can be poured from a container.

Installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special equipment and certification and should only be done by experienced installers. Following installation, an approved thermal barrier equal in fire resistance to half-inch gypsum board must cover all foam materials.

Also, some building codes don't recognize sprayed foam insulation as a vapor barrier, so installation might require an additional vapor retarder. Foam insulation products and installation usually cost more than traditional batt insulation. However, foam insulation has higher R-values and forms an air barrier, which can eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints.

When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money.

Structural insulated panels SIPs are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. When installed properly, SIPs also result in a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house energy efficient, quieter, and more comfortable.

SIPs not only have high R-values but also high strength-to-weight ratios. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch-thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board OSB or other structural facing materials. Manufacturers can usually customize the exterior and interior sheathing materials to meet customer requirements.

The facing is glued to the foam core, and the panel is then either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond the sheathing and core together.

SIPs can be produced in various sizes or dimensions. Some manufacturers make panels as large as 8 by 24 feet, which require a crane to erect. The quality of SIP manufacturing is very important to the long life and performance of the product.

The panels must be glued, pressed, and cured properly to ensure that they don't delaminate. The panels also must have smooth surfaces and square edges to prevent gaps from occurring when they're connected at the job site. Before purchasing SIPs, ask manufacturers about their quality control and testing procedures and read and compare warranties carefully.

SIPs are available with different insulating materials, usually polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam. SIPs are made in a factory and shipped to job sites.

Builders then connect them together to construct a house. For an experienced builder, a SIPs home goes up much more quickly than other homes, which saves time and money without compromising quality. These savings can help offset the usually higher cost of SIPs.

Many SIP manufacturers also offer "panelized housing kits. Fire safety is a concern, but when the interior of the SIP is covered with a fire-rated material, such as gypsum board, it protects the facing and foam long enough to give building occupants a chance to escape.

As in any house, insects and rodents can be a problem. In a few cases, insects and rodents have tunneled throughout the SIPs, and some manufacturers have issued guidelines for preventing these problems, including:.

Boric acid-treated insulation panels are also available. These panels deter insects, but are relatively harmless to humans and pets. Because it can be very airtight, a well-built SIP structure may require controlled fresh-air ventilation for safety, health, and performance, and to meet many building codes.

A well-designed, installed, and properly operated mechanical ventilation system can also help prevent indoor moisture problems, which is important for achieving the energy-saving benefits of a SIP structure. Installing Insulation. When hiring a professional certified installer: Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the R-value you need, and don't be surprised if quoted prices for a given R-value installation vary by more than a factor of two. Ask contractors about their experience in installing the product you are considering.

Types of Insulation. Type Material Where Applicable Installation Methods Advantages Blanket: batts and rolls Fiberglass Mineral rock or slag wool Plastic fibers Natural fibers Unfinished walls, including foundation walls Floors and ceilings Fitted between studs, joists, and beams. Concrete block insulation and insulating concrete blocks Foam board, to be placed on outside of wall usually new construction or inside of wall existing homes : Some manufacturers incorporate foam beads or air into the concrete mix to increase R-values Unfinished walls, including foundation walls New construction or major renovations Walls insulating concrete blocks Require specialized skills Insulating concrete blocks are sometimes stacked without mortar dry-stacked and surface bonded.

Insulating cores increases wall R-value. Exterior applications: must be covered with weatherproof facing. High insulating value for relatively little thickness. Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists. Insulating concrete forms ICFs Foam boards or foam blocks Unfinished walls, including foundation walls for new construction Installed as part of the building structure.

Cores in the blocks are typically filled with concrete to create the structural component of the wall. Insulation is literally built into the home's walls, creating high thermal resistance. Loose-fill and blown-in Cellulose Fiberglass Mineral rock or slag wool Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities Unfinished attic floors Other hard-to-reach places Blown into place using special equipment and, although not recommended, sometimes poured in.

Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions. Reflective system Foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard Unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors Foils, films, or papers fitted between wood-frame studs, joists, rafters, and beams.

Suitable for framing at standard spacing. Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present. Most effective at preventing downward heat flow, effectiveness depends on spacing and number of foils. Rigid fibrous or fiber insulation Fiberglass Mineral rock or slag wool Ducts in unconditioned spaces Other places requiring insulation that can withstand high temperatures HVAC contractors fabricate the insulation into ducts either at their shops or at the job sites.

Can withstand high temperatures. Sprayed foam and foamed-in-place Cementitious Phenolic Polyisocyanurate Polyurethane Enclosed existing wall Open new wall cavities Unfinished attic floors Applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed foamed-in-place product.

Structural insulated panels SIPs Foam board or liquid foam insulation core Straw core insulation Unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs for new construction Construction workers fit SIPs together to form walls and roof of a house. SIP-built houses provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods; they also take less time to build. Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation. Concrete Block Insulation. Foam Board or Rigid Foam. Insulating Concrete Forms. Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation.

Radiant Barriers and Reflective Insulation Systems. Rigid Fiber Board Insulation. Types of Foam Insulation. Other available foam insulation materials include: Cementitious Phenolic Polyisocyanurate polyiso Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer foam.

Structural Insulated Panels. Areas of Concern. Learn about the different insulation materials and insulation facings. Insulating the entire building envelope of your home saves money and improves comfort. Building a new energy-efficient home requires carefully selecting where you place and install insulation materials. Adding insulation to your home is a sound investment that is likely pay for itself quickly in reduced utility bills.

Find product information and locate professional services for insulation and air sealing. Blanket: batts and rolls. Fiberglass Mineral rock or slag wool Plastic fibers Natural fibers. Concrete block insulation and insulating concrete blocks. Foam board, to be placed on outside of wall usually new construction or inside of wall existing homes : Some manufacturers incorporate foam beads or air into the concrete mix to increase R-values.

Unfinished walls, including foundation walls New construction or major renovations Walls insulating concrete blocks. Require specialized skills Insulating concrete blocks are sometimes stacked without mortar dry-stacked and surface bonded. Foam board or rigid foam. Unfinished walls, including foundation walls Floors and ceilings Unvented low-slope roofs. Insulating concrete forms ICFs. Installed as part of the building structure.

Loose-fill and blown-in. Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities Unfinished attic floors Other hard-to-reach places.