Types of Insulation
Some types of insulation require professional installation, others you can install yourself. You should consider the several forms of insulation available, their R-values, and the thickness needed. The type of insulation you use will be determined by the nature of the spaces in the house that you plan to insulate. For example, since you cannot conveniently "pour" insulation into an overhead space, blankets, spray-foam, board products, or reflective systems are used between the joists of an unfinished basement ceiling. The most economical way to fill closed cavities in finished walls is with blown-in insulation applied with pneumatic equipment or with sprayed-in-place foam insulation.
Different forms of insulation can be used together. For example, you can add batt or roll insulation over loose-fill insulation, or vice-versa. Usually, material of higher density (weight per unit volume) should not be placed on top of lower density insulation that is easily compressed. Doing so will reduce the thickness of the material underneath and thereby lower its R-value.
The table below provides an overview of most of the common insulation forms, insulation materials, their installation methods, where they may be applied in a home, and their advantages. Whenever you compare insulation products, it is critical that you base your comparison on equal R-values.
Resource List
- Insulation Rebate Program
- Where to Insulate
- How Insulation Works
- Types of Insulation
- Inspecting and Evaluating Your Insulation
- Selecting Insulation for New Homes or Remodels
- Zip-Code Insulation Program from the U.S. Department of Energy. Use this program to determine where you need to insulate and the recommended R-values based on your climate and type of heating and cooling system, etc. The program also will provide cost estimates and a rate of return.
- www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation
- www.eere.energy.gov/consumer
- www.energystar.gov