Pros and Cons of Some of the Top Attic Insulation Products

Winter in North Dakota can be brutal. If your house doesn’t have adequate insulation, you might be feeling the chill, or running up your utility bills by cranking up the heat. Choosing to install insulation is a smart move toward improving thermal insulation and reducing heating bills.

But once you decide you need more insulation, you’re faced with another major decision: which insulation to use. In order to decide which type of insulation is best for your home, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each type.

Here’s a quick guide to the different types of attic insulation in Fargo, ND.

Fiberglass insulation

Fiberglass insulation is a popular choice for many homeowners because it is cost-effective and easy to install.

Pros

• Cost-effective: Fiberglass insulation is on the lower end of the pricing spectrum, but also offers good thermal insulation, making it a very cost-effective option for homeowners needing higher R-values.
• Easy to install: Fiberglass comes in batts or rolls, as well as in loose fill. Batts and rolls are very easy to install, which makes them ideal for DIY projects or quick installations by professionals.

Cons

• Particle problems: Fiberglass is made of lots of tiny particles that can cause respiratory problems if they are disturbed and inhaled. The insulation can also cause skin problems like itching if it is touched, and should only be handled while wearing gloves and long sleeves.
• Allows some airflow: While fiberglass does trap pockets of air to provide insulation, it still allows a moderate level of airflow, which can lower the effectiveness of its insulating properties.

Spray foam insulation

Spray foam insulation is made by combining chemicals to create either an open-cell or closed-cell foam substance that is sprayed into walls and expands. Closed-cell spray foam is generally considered the best insulation for high R-value.

Pros

• Creates tight air seals: Because spray foam insulation has the ability to expand when it is sprayed, it is able to fill every nook and cranny in the wall and harden. This creates air-tight seals that prevent any air from flowing in and out, improving its thermal resistance.
• Water resistant: Closed-cell spray foam insulation is extremely water resistant, meaning mold cannot grow inside of it if the insulation gets wet.

Cons

• More expensive: Both open- and closed-cell spray foams are more expensive than other insulation types. Closed-cell is the most expensive option.
• Not DIY: Because spray foam insulation must be mixed and sprayed in with a proper technique, it is not a good DIY project for the average homeowner. We recommend hiring a professional to install your spray foam attic insulation in Fargo, ND.

Cellulose

Cellulose insulation is made of recycled newspaper and can be blown in to an attic.

Pros

• Eco-friendly: One of the top benefits of cellulose insulation is that it’s made from mostly recycled materials, making it environmentally friendly in and of itself, on top of the thermal insulation it provides when it’s used in your attic.
• Low-cost: Cellulose is one of the least expensive options for attic insulation in Fargo, ND, making it particularly attractive for last-minute or tight-budget insulation projects. Unfortunately, this lower cost may result in a less ideal R-value.

Cons

• Settles faster: Cellulose has a habit of settling in the walls, allowing air to flow through, which is one of the leading causes of heat loss. This means that over time, cellulose insulation may not be as effective and will need to be reinstalled.

For more information about the different types of insulation and which would be right for your home, contact the professionals at Interstate Insulation. We specialize in spray-foam insulation but provide a variety of other options to meet your needs.

Categorised in: Attic Insulation

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