Insulation is a critical element of any home or business structure. It is essential to understand what insulation is and how it works to utilize it to its fullest potential.
Insulation is an effective way to reduce energy costs, increase comfort levels, and protect the environment. It helps regulate temperatures, maintain safety and cleanliness, reduce noise, and conserve energy. In this article, we will explore the basics of insulation and how it works to keep your home or business running comfortably and efficiently.
We will discuss the different types of insulation, their benefits, and how to best install and maintain insulation for optimal performance. By the end of this article, you will be well-informed on the insulation basics and ready to start saving energy and money.
What is Insulation?
Insulation is a material that reduces the transfer of heat and sound through a structure. Insulation protects walls, ceilings, floors, and other internal components of a building. Insulation is generally categorized as either thermal or acoustic insulation, depending on its purpose.
Thermal insulation is used to reduce the transfer of heat through a structure. This may sound like a basic function, but the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a structure significantly contributes to energy costs.
Benefits of Insulation
Insulation reduces your energy costs
Insulation can reduce your energy costs by up to 30%, depending on the type of insulation used and the climate in your area.
Insulation reduces acoustical issues
Insulation can reduce acoustical issues by reducing sound transfer between rooms. This can help reduce high-frequency noise like sirens, horns, and traffic.
Insulated walls keep your house temperature regulated
Insulated walls keep your house temperature regulated by stopping temperature transfer through the wall. This can reduce your energy costs and help you prevent issues like condensation and mold.
Benefits of Proper Insulation Installation
Essential to your health
Mold, condensation, and high indoor temperatures are all a result of poor insulation. Inadequate insulation can lead to health problems like allergies, asthma, and lung problems.
Improper insulation can also damage building materials, and cause structural weakness and structural collapse. Insulation is a critical component for protecting your health.
Improper insulation is associated with mold, condensation, and high indoor temperatures.
Good for the environment
Insulation is an essential component of reducing energy costs, but it can also have a positive impact on the environment. Insulating your home reduces waste and pollution by using less natural gas and less greenhouse gas emissions.
Insulation is suitable for surrounding properties
Insulation reduces sound transfer and is an essential component of creating a peaceful environment.
Different Types of Insulation
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is a polyurethane foam that is sprayed into the wall cavity or attic of a building. The foam expands to fill the entire cavity and creates a blanket of insulation for the building. It is an excellent choice for many applications.
Blown-in
This is typically the least expensive type of insulation and is typically blown using an air compressor. It is not a continuous material but more of a membrane. It is generally used above grade (i.e., outside) and is prone to moisture damage and exterior deterioration.
Rolled-in
This is also a type of blown-in insulation. It is formed using a continuous membrane, but it is rolled into a tube. It is also more durable than blown-in insulation and less prone to exterior damage.
Batt
Batt insulation is a type of sprayed-in insulation that is made up of smaller particles that help create a barrier. It is generally used inside and is not susceptible to exterior damage.
Mineral wool
Mineral wool is a type of synthetic wool that is used for both thermal and acoustical insulation. It is created using fine particles that absorb and reflect sound and heat. It is very durable, soundproof, and environmentally friendly.
Where to Install Insulation
Below the concrete slab on your foundation
Whether you have a slab or crawl space foundation, you should insulate your foundation. This will provide the best insulation level and minimize moisture damage.
Exterior walls
Insulated materials should be installed on the exterior walls of your home. This will help to protect your home from high-impact weather and reduce the amount of heat transfer through the wall.
Ceilings
Insulation should be installed in the ceiling of your home. This will help reduce high-frequency sound transfer and keep your home quieter.
If your home or business has insulation, you can use less energy and save money. Insulation helps keep your home or business at a desired temperature. It also keeps noise levels down and stops things from blowing around.
When you maintain your insulation, you can ensure it is effectively doing its job. Here are some ways to maintain insulation in your home or business.
Use R-value
Insulation performance can be measured by its R-value. R-value is a measurement of the resistance that a material has to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better the insulating properties of the material and the more energy it will retain.
Check for Condensation
Condensation is natural in some areas of your home or business, such as ceilings, under floorboards, windows, and attics. Condensation can occur when there is a high humidity level.
Some condensation is normal, but if there is excessive condensation in one area, it could indicate a problem with your insulation.
Inspect Roofs
A roof is the largest source of heat loss in your home or business. To determine if your roof is causing your insulation issues, check for signs of condensation in one particular area of your home or business.
If you find condensation in one area, it could indicate that your roof is losing heat. Examine the roof and find out where it is losing the most heat. It could be a problem with your roof's flashing, shingles, or gutters.
Check for blown ceilings
A blown-in ceiling is another sign that your insulation is not maintaining the temperature in one particular area of your home or business.
To determine if your blown-in ceiling is causing an issue in one area, check for a distinct change in temperature in that area of your home or business. If you find a distinct change in one particular area, it could be an indication that your blown-in ceiling is causing an issue.
Partner with Epic Spray Foam for Your Property’s Insulation Needs
Epic Spray Foam offers you the opportunity to enjoy the comfort and savings of a spray foam-insulated home or business. Spray foam insulation is the most effective, energy-efficient insulation available to property owners today.
The effectiveness of your insulation depends on proper installation, so it's best to use a dependable and experienced professional. As a leading insulation contractor in Georgia, Epic Spray Foam is committed to excellent quality, service, and safety. We can complete a free on-site assessment of your property and provide a recommendation tailored to your home’s unique insulation needs.
Give us a call at 833-362-6489 to schedule your free estimate today!
You’ve made the decision to have spray foam insulation installed at your property. Your on-site assessment is complete, your quote is signed, and your install job is scheduled. So now what? First off, congratulations on making this wise investment into your home! You will be so glad you went with the most superior, energy-efficient, and […]
Winter is coming! With cooler days on the horizon, now is the time to prepare your home for the months ahead. Here in Georgia, strong winds, freezing temperatures, ice dams, and even the occasional snow we receive, can take a harsh toll on your property, your wallet, and the safety and comfort of your home. […]
After a long day, walking into your home should feel like a breath of fresh air. But for many homeowners dealing with poor indoor air quality, that’s simply not the case. In fact, according to recent studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted […]
Here at Epic Spray Foam, we’ve received a lot of questions about the new Insulation Tax Credit since it went into effect on January 1, 2023. When you combine this incentive with all the other energy-saving, cost-cutting benefits of spray foam insulation, the decision is a no-brainer! Here’s what you need to know about the […]
During the spring and summer months here in the South, our customer calls about uncomfortably hot room temperatures increase right along with the outside temperatures. It never fails around mid-June each year, the rooms above many property owners’ garages become unbearably warm and stagnant. The second floor of their house continues to rise in temperature no […]
Transform Your Space From Drafty and Uncomfortable to Warm and Inviting We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be in a residential basement that feels drafty, uncomfortable, and downright creepy! When you add in the dangerous mold, allergens, and pests that can come with these types of dark and damp conditions, it’s not a part […]
The sounds are coming from inside the house. As a homeowner, this statement can be your worst nightmare! If rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, insects, birds, snakes, or other unwanted critters have ever infested your property, you know it can be a major nuisance. Not only do they cause expensive damage, but they also threaten your […]
How Spray Foam Insulation Can Help You Keep a Clean and Healthy Home Environment The old saying, “there’s no place like home,” still rings true. We all want the place where we live to be a safe haven for ourselves and our families, and that means keeping our space clean and comfortable. Unfortunately, there are […]
If you’re noticing that your home’s basement is cold and drafty, your attic or upper rooms are uncomfortably hot, or your energy bills are high month after month, you most likely have an insulation problem on your hands! Old, deteriorated, or insufficient insulation can compromise the comfort and safety of your property, and cost you […]
For many homeowners, pest management is a key factor in selecting the type of insulation they want to use throughout their property. Especially when it comes to harder-to-reach areas in attics and basements, it’s important to choose an insulation product that will support your efforts to keep unwanted critters, as well as the harmful bacteria […]
As energy-efficiency measures have grown in popularity in recent years, many of our customers ask us about radiant barrier, and whether it is the best choice for their attic. Whether you’re building a brand new construction, or simply replacing the roof or attic of your existing home, radiant barrier can complement your insulation to regulate […]
Thermal bridging is an essential but often overlooked concept in the construction of buildings. It refers to the process by which heat is transferred between the inside and outside of a building, either through direct contact or through air infiltration. Thermal bridging can have a significant impact on a building's energy efficiency, which can translate […]