There is no place like home, but if you don’t have insulation in your house, then you may find it uncomfortable. You must protect your home against all types of weather conditions.
Choosing the right type of insulation for your ceiling is important. Ceiling insulation comes in a variety of types. In this blog, we’ll look at the types of insulation that are available and how they can be valuable to certain types of homes.
Loose Fill Insulation
The most popular type of insulation is shredded cellulose, also called loose insulation. Many plants, including cotton, contain this polysaccharide in their cell walls.
It is excellent insulation when treated with borates that prevent fire, mold, and vermin. Fiberglass is another material used for loose-fill insulation. If you want to add loose fill insulation yourself, you will likely need to rent a blowing machine and hire someone else to help. A blower machine is used to blow loose-fill insulation into wall cavities and attics.
Radiant Barriers and Reflective Insulation Systems
Radiant barrier insulation is a popular type of insulation. A large metal sheet is attached to the roof’s underside as insulation. Metal sheets absorb heat when it enters the roof.
In contrast to most common insulation systems, radiant barriers and reflective insulation reflect radiant heat. Homeowners generally install radiant barriers in their attics to reduce summer heat, which reduces cooling costs. Reflective surfaces are incorporated into insulation systems that can include a variety of backing materials.
Anything solid that absorbs radiant heat is heated as it travels away from the source in a straight line. The radiant energy of the sun is what heats a roof when it’s exposed to it. This heat is largely carried to the attic side of the roof by conduction through the roofing materials. As the hot roof material radiates its gained heat energy into the attic, the air ducts and the attic floor are further heated. By reducing radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic, radiant barriers are effective.
Attics with cooling air ducts are more likely to benefit from radiant barriers in hot climates. In a warm, sunny climate, radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 5 to 10%. This may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system due to the reduced heat gain. Thermal insulation, however, is usually more cost-effective in cool climates.
Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation
Easily installed and affordable, this type of insulation is the most stable because it does not get affected by the wind as easily as blown-in insulation does. There is a specific thickness and density for roll form and batt insulation. It is also the most widely available and most common type of insulation.
When it comes to insulating ceilings, attics, walls, and crawlspaces, homeowners and builders often choose fiberglass batts. Besides being cost-effective, they prevent heat from passing through walls, ceilings, and floors.
Generally, fiberglass batts come in 2*4 or 2*6, but you can cut them down if necessary. It fits standard stud and joist spacing that is relatively free from obstructions. Insulation materials include fiberglass, mineral (rock or slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers.
Foam Board or Rigid Foam
For ceiling applications, rigid board roof insulation types are ideal. The foam is easy to install and performs efficiently. It is possible to achieve spray foam levels of sufficient R-value density. Rigid foam is waterproof. The durability of foam sheets is excellent.
You can use it to insulate almost any part of your house, from the roof to the foundation. Sheathing for exterior walls, interior walls, and attic hatches are some of their common applications. The thermal resistance of these materials is up to two times greater than that of most other insulating materials of the same thickness. Polystyrene, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and polyurethane are the most common materials used in foam boards.
There are billions of tiny bubbles built into these stiff polystyrene boards. This makes them perfect for insulating, and relatively thin as well. A rigid foam board can also withstand high temperatures, depending on your needs.
Similar to stiff blanket rolls, rigid foam boards come in sheets that can be cut down to size. The thickness of these boards ranges from 1/2 inch to 2 inches.
Spray Foam
Although spray foam insulation is very popular, it is not really suited to large areas. Small and tight spaces are often filled with spray foam. Spray foam is very expensive to apply to a large area. You can use spray foam in addition to other insulation types.
Basic Insulation Tips
Make sure you do your research before adding insulation to your home. If you’re thinking about adding insulation, it’s recommended that you consult with a professional.
Handle insulation with gloves and a painter’s mask, especially fiberglass and loose-fill insulation. The air contains many tiny particles which can enter your respiratory system.
You will increase your home’s energy efficiency regardless of the type of insulation you use. It is important to be cautious because too much insulation can be harmful. Your local HVAC contractor should inspect your home after every major insulation improvement or change for proper insulation and ventilation.
Pacific Aire Heating & Air Conditioning provides a wide range of HVAC services, including insulation.
For any concerns about Insulation, schedule an appointment with our expert HVAC technicians. For any other HVAC servicing needs, visit https://bit.ly/pacificaire_attic_insulation or call us at 805-737-2564.
