Which Type of Insulation Is Right for Me and My Home?

Though you can’t see it, insulation is a crucial part of your home. Insulation in your walls, attic and crawlspace help keep your house comfortable all year long while saving you tons of money on your heating and cooling bills. But if you think that all insulation is created equal, think again!

There are multiple types of insulation on the market, all of which are better or worse in certain places or situations. Continue reading to learn the pros and cons about the types of indoor insulation in Fargo, ND.

Spray foam

Let’s start with the insulation material we specialize in: spray foam. During installation, polyurethane is sprayed into the cavity of your wall. When it expands, the foam hardens and instantly creates a barrier that keeps inside air in and outside air out. At an R-value of 6.2 per inch, spray foam provides the highest R-value (the measurement of effectiveness) out of any insulation on the market. The downsides of spray foam are that it can be expensive and you need to hire a professional to install it for you. However, the amount of money you’re likely to save on your energy bill is well worth the cost of installation.

Blanket batts and rolls

This type of insulation is usually made of fiberglass, cotton, mineral wool or plastic fibers. Although standard fiberglass blankets have much lower R-values than spray foam, they’re still quite useful when placed between wall studs, attic rafters and floor joists. The best part is that this insulation is easy to install by yourself, just as long as you have some free time on your hands. Always be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants and a face mask while installing fiberglass insulation, as it is an irritant.

Blown-in insulation

If your attic is like most, it probably has some unfinished or hard-to-reach areas. Trust us—don’t leave these areas uninsulated! Even though the space might be small, it still needs to be insulated. In this scenario, we recommend using blown-in insulation, which is typically made of fiberglass or rock wool. This can be a DIY job if you rent an insulation blower, although hiring a professional typically yields better results.

Foam boards

Much like the blankets and batts mentioned above, foam boards are perfect for placing between studs and floor joists and in your attic. These boards are typically made of polyurethane, polystyrene or polyisocyanurate, and offer R-values of 4 to 6.5.  Again, you can install these yourself without the help of a professional.

Reflective barrier

Unlike standard insulation that reduces heat flow in a home, reflective barriers prevent heat gain and radiant heat transfer by reflecting the heat away. Reflective barriers are made of aluminum foil placed over a substrate material and are installed up in the attic, much like foam boards or fiberglass batts. Though these barriers can be used anywhere, they’re most effective in warmer climates.

Regardless of the types of indoor insulation in Fargo, ND you need, be sure to choose our team to install it. At Interstate Insulation, we provide top-of-the-line installation at some of the most competitive prices in town.

Categorised in: Insulation Installation

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