How to Choose the Right Insulation for Your Home
This blog post covers factors to consider when choosing insulation for your home and compares the different types of available insulation.
This blog post covers factors to consider when choosing insulation for your home and compares the different types of available insulation.
When you’re getting a new roof or siding, it’s a good time to reassess your home’s insulation.
The right insulation can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and your comfort by keeping heat from escaping your home in the winter and from entering your home in the summer, limiting how often your HVAC system needs to operate. Simply put, you SAVE money.
It also helps improve indoor air quality by preventing dust, pollen, and other allergens from easily entering your home.
But how do you know what insulation is right for your property? Let’s explore some factors you should consider:
R-value is an extremely important selection factor. This value measures the ability of an insulation type to resist heat traveling through it. Generally speaking, the higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
However, simply selecting the insulation with the highest R-value isn’t always the best answer. That’s because insulation performs differently based on the climate that you live in.
Michigan is mostly a 5A cool, humid climate (except the UP, which is considered a 6B cold, humid climate). ENERGY STAR® recommends the following R-value types for homeowners in Michigan:
Different locations present different challenges when insulating your home, which is why there’s no universal type of insulation. Floors, walls, and siding each experience unique temperature fluctuations and exposure levels, impacting your insulation choices. For instance, insulation installed under floors needs to effectively prevent heat loss from rising air, while siding insulation should protect against outdoor temperature variations, wind, and moisture exposure.
Refer to the section above for the type of insulation you should select for your properties in Michigan, which is considered a (mostly) cool, humid climate.
Cost is, of course, always important and is mainly influenced by insulation type. Spray foam insulation is generally the most expensive, while fiberglass insulation tends to be the cheapest option. Cellulose, open-spray foam, and foam board insulation are mid-range options.
Insulation costs are largely priced based on quality, R-value, material type, and ease of installation. For instance, while spray foam is the most expensive type of insulation due to how complex it is to manufacture and install, it’s also among the highest-quality types of insulation. Fiberglass, while more affordable, tends to offer lower R-value in comparison. Typically, the higher the R-value, the more you can expect to pay for insulation.
Blanket/batt insulation are pre-cut rolls that can be found at your local hardware store and easily installed in wall cavities and attics. They are one of the more affordable types of insulation. While blanket/batt insulation can be effective at reducing noise and enhancing energy efficiency, R-value is based on thickness purchased, is not moisture-resistant (and can lose its effectiveness when wet), and doesn’t fill gaps as well as other types of insulation.
There are various advantages to foam board and rigid board installation. This type has a high R-value, exceptional moisture-resistant properties, is easy to install, and can be used in different places around the home (e.g., walls, roofs, floors, etc.). However, some notable disadvantages include its comparatively higher cost and the fact that it requires sealing to prevent air leaks.
The primary advantage of this type of insulation is that it’s easy to install, especially in hard-to-reach areas. However, it has to be installed properly to ensure even coverage. Using baffles, light boxes, and measuring sticks for attic application, the material is controlled and coverage thickness remains the same as time passes. For use in walls, it is installed either through the exterior walls (drilling in brick mortar or removing siding panels) or the interior walls (holes made in drywall require patching and painting) both requiring repair after installation.
Fiberglass insulation has been around for decades. It offers good heat and sound insulation and is simple for a homeowner to install. The biggest downside of fiberglass insulation is that it is an irritant, specifically when it comes in contact with the skin or inhaled into the lungs. This is more of a threat during installation than at any other time, but it’s a consideration nonetheless.
Spray foam is generally considered the best type of insulation for energy efficiency, moisture resistance, and air quality. It also tends to be longer-lasting than other types of insulation. However, it’s also the most expensive type of insulation and usually reserved for areas that are unfinished like crawlspaces, rim joists, and open walls.
The best thing you can do to avoid mistakes is to work with a professional on your next insulation project. They will help you select the right type of insulation for your specific application.
L&S Home Improvements specializes in insulation and serves homeowners across Southeast Michigan. If your home doesn’t have insulation or needs insulation replaced, we can handle that during a new roofing or siding project, or as its own project.
Please visit our website to learn more about our capabilities, or contact us today to schedule a free project estimate.
