Anna Maria RichardsQuality insulation setups are crucial for building and living in a dream home. If you’ve just purchased your dream home, or you’re looking to build one, you’ll need to ensure it’s correctly insulated with the right product for your home’s structure and materials. To help you find the right choice, here are ten of the absolute best types of home insulation:
1. Spray Foam Insulation
One of the most popular types of insulation, spray foam insulation is perfect for sealing leaks and gaps inside already-existing walls. The insulation type uses liquid polyurethane to fill the cavities in the wall. There are two varieties of spray foam insulation: open-cell foam, and the denser closed-cell foam variety. The insulation is extremely high-quality and comes in different thicknesses.
2. Foam Board/Rigid Foam Panels
Not all insulation is meant for the inside of walls. In some cases, you’ll need insulation that can keep floors and ceilings insulated as well. When this need arises, you’ll want to seek out foam board-style insulation products. They can reduce the amount of heat that escapes from your floors, and help to keep your home energy-efficient, making them a great and unique choice for your home’s insulation.
3. Blanket Batts/Rolls
Blanket rolls, also known simply as rolls, are the most common type of insulation available in the consumer marketplace. This insulation is crafted using fiberglass, cotton, mineral wool, sheep’s wool, and plastic fibers in most cases. Because the insulation type is so commonly used, it’s also incredibly affordable (especially in bulk). This is a go-to for budget-conscious customers looking for affordable but amazing insulation.
4. Loose-Fill/Cellulose
Commonly referred to as cellulose, loose-fill insulation is a more specialized version of blow-in insulation. Loose fill is used in attic floors and oddly-shaped horizontal wall spaces. Many recycled materials are used to create loose-fill insulation, including denim, newspaper, and other similar waste. The insulation is then sprayed with cellulose to complete the product, and ensure it’s ready for your home.
5. Insulating Concrete Forms
When a building has newly poured and formed concrete structures, builders often recommend using insulating concrete forms instead of traditional insulation. These concrete-supported insulation setups use multiple foam panels, and other insulation tech, to ensure you’re retaining as much heat as possible within your home. Many industrial projects, especially large-scale ones, use this type of insulation.
6. Concrete Block Insulation
When you want to insulate a block wall from within, you need concrete block insulation. These setups use spray foam, loose-fill mineral wood, polystyrene beads, and other materials to ensure heat stays contained within the affected structure. Professional installation is recommended for this complex insulation setup, however.
7. Structural Insulated Panels
Also referred to as SIPs, these are some of the most modern insulation products. You are getting double the insulation power when using these multi-foam panel insulation setups. The tongue-and-groove connectors that are used when installing SIPs are what truly sets them apart from other types of insulation, however. That being said, the material is large, heavy, and best installed by professionals. Otherwise, you may have issues with this complex insulation material later on.
8. Eco-Friendly Insulation
Although they aren’t as widely available as other insulation products, there are insulation products in the marketplace that are made to be extra environmentally friendly. These insulation products are similar to cellulose-based insulation products, but add more recyclable materials, and avoid more potentially-eco-harmful materials. If you’re looking to go fully green with your home’s construction and energy, this is a great option.
9. Rockwool
Also known as mineral wool, rockwool is made from extruded lava rock, making it one of the most unique types of insulations out there. The insulation type is considered to be a top choice for homes that are made using wood-framed structures. While this insulation is much more expensive than its traditional fiberglass insulation counterparts, it is fantastic at keeping wood-based homes warm.
10. Blown-In Insulation
Blown-in insulation is applied to your house using a high-tech machine that blows paper-like material into the to-be-insulated space. Blown-in insulation is typically made using fiberglass, Rockwool, and/or reclaimed materials that include cellulose. The main advantage of blown-in insulation is that it can conform to fit nearly any space you’re trying to insulate, even if it’s a super tight fit.
Keep Your House Warm
With the right insulation product, you can easily retain the heat you’re paying for within your home. No one wants to pay high energy bills, and with quality insulation, you won’t have to! Be sure to consult a trusted insulation installer or seller to discover which type of insulation is best for your home.
