No matter what part of the country you live in it is critical to have the right home insulation in place. Installing the right amount and the right type of insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Good insulation also saves you money on heating and cooling costs, certainly an important consideration in this age of rising energy prices. In addition, good insulation is good for the environment, since less of that precious heating and cooling energy is wasted. Does this Spark an idea?
Blanket insulation
Blanket insulation is a popular choice for homeowners and commercial builders, and it is one of the easiest forms of insulation to work with. Blanket insulation generally comes in roll form, making it easy to lay down. When choosing blanket style insulation look for formaldehyde-free varieties. These varieties will be able to expand and contract as the temperature changes.
When working in wall cavities or between floor joists it is important to use a special blanket insulation with a paper backing. It is also critical to take special safety precautions when working with blanket insulation. The fiberglass particles can be quite damaging to the lungs, so a respirator designed for working with insulation is a must. Wearing long sleeved shirts and gloves is important as well, because the insulation particles can stick to exposed skin causing irritation.
Rigid foam insulation
This type of insulation is also known in the industry as foam boards. Rigid foam insulation is not commonly used to insulate the interior of the home, but rather it is most often used to provide insulation to foundations due to its water resistant characteristics. Rigid foam is also a good choice for insulating sheds and other outdoor structures, as well as providing insulation beneath siding and roofing.
When working with rigid foam it is very important to fit the pieces together as tightly as possible because gaps in the insulation could allow for significant energy loss. This is most critical when using rigid foam to insulate roofs, but it is important no matter where the insulation is put in place.
Loose fill insulation
Loose fill fiberglass insulation has been in use for many years, but many contractors are moving away from fiberglass toward alternative loose fill materials like cellulose. Cellulose loose fill is generally made from recycled newspapers, cardboard and similar materials, so it is a good choice for environmentally conscious home builders and business owners.
Homeowners do not have to worry that loose fill cellulose will introduce a fire hazard into their homes. All loose fill cellulose products are treated with fire retardants and specially treated to prevent the growth of mold. This new kind of loose fill has a number of additional advantages as well, most notably the fact that it is safer to work with than fiberglass insulation. Even so, it is important to use proper safety equipment when blowing or spraying the loose fill insulation into cracks and crevices. It is also important to ensure that all of those cracks and crevices are covered evenly with the insulation. Any gaps could cause significant energy loss.
Tags: loose fill, Blanket insulation, working with, blanket insulation, cracks crevices, energy loss
