Decoding The Differences Between Your Residential Insulation Options
Insulation is such an important part of the construction of any home and getting it right is an essential aspect of your duties as a homeowner. While wall insulation is very important, perhaps the most important part of all residential insulation is in the attic. That is because of the simple fact that heat rises and, in the winter especially, lots of the heat you generate through your body and air conditioning can escape upwards. If your attic is not well insulated, it will leave your house completely. That is why it is so important that you take a look at the options below and decide for yourself which option is the most appropriate for your residential insulation.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is a very popular form of residential insulation because it is cheap, easy to apply yourself and uses recycled materials. On the flip side, cellulose insulation is often far less effective at its primary purpose (reducing heat loss and gain) than other modern inventions. There are a number of different variants of cellulose insulation, ranging from dry and loose cellulose to wet spray application cellulose that stays in place. While this is not a terrible option, the best way to get insulation from cellulose is still through the use of a professional contractor to make sure the attic is fully covered and that it will remain so in the future.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is a more modern and effective method of residential insulation that is more expensive but works better in more applications. The foam itself is a type of plastic that looks like foam but is actually quite manoeuvrable. It is better than other options because it does not absorb any of the heat it is insulating and therefore cannot grow mould or be affected in other ways by the environment. The best part about spray foam is that it creates an air-seal that prevents almost all heat loss and is the most effective option for residential insulation.
Fibreglass Insulation
Another more old-fashioned type of insulation is through the use of very fine fibreglass particles. This material is extremely good at retaining the same temperature and preventing heat leakage, but it comes with a serious downside: health concerns. While not as bad as asbestos, fibreglass particles can also get into your lungs and skin, which makes it a risky proposal if you are going in and out of your attic a lot. There are ways to get around this, and fibreglass is still legal and safe with the right precautions, but for families with small, wandering children, you might want to reconsider.
Contact a residential insulation provider to learn more about your options.
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