Need to install new insulation but not sure which option is best for you? With so many insulation materials on the market, it’s a lot for a homeowner to digest. In this post, we’ll talk about the advantages of three common insulation materials: spray foam, fiberglass and cellulose.
Still not sure which insulation your Nashville home needs? No worries! When you hire IBP of Nashville as your go-to Nashville insulation company, our installers use the best-fit products for each area of your home based on industry standards. We’re happy to explain each of the products we’ll be using in your home!
Spray Foam Insulation
Made of polyurethane, spray foam insulation is applied in liquid form and dries quickly, expanding into thick foam. The R-value of spray foam can vary, and your insulation contractor can help you determine the recommended R-value for your home insulation. Spray foam has quickly become a popular choice among many customers. Due to its total coverage and the tight seal it creates, spray foam insulation is ideal for small gaps, crevices and cracks in your home’s envelope, as well as around piping and ductwork.
Spray foam insulation comes with many benefits, including:
- Make homes and buildings more comfortable year-round
- Provide soundproofing
- Improve the performance of HVAC equipment
- Decrease energy bills in your home or building
- Reduce noise between different rooms and levels
- Protect against air and moisture infiltration
- Contribute to a healthier environment
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most well-known options and comes in two different varieties: blown-in and batt. Blown-in refers to a method of insulation installation. Blown-in insulation is installed with a special blowing device. Blown-in fiberglass insulation can be installed in many areas of a home, from the attic to the walls to floors. Its advantages include:
- Reduce your utility bills and maximize the energy efficiency of your home or building
- Make your home or building more comfortable year-round
- Reduce noises from outside and also from inside your home or building between different rooms and levels
- Improve the performance of your air conditioner and furnace
- Protect against air and moisture infiltration (and help eliminate mold growth)
- Contribute to a healthier environment
Fiberglass batt insulation comes in pre-cut panels and is typically made of fiberglass. It’s one of the most common forms of insulation available. Batts can be installed in various areas, such as the attic and walls. This material works well in both new construction and re-insulation projects. Batt fiberglass insulation also has the same benefits as blown-in, since it’s made from the same material. It’s important to note, however, that if fiberglass insulation gets wet, it can develop unhealthy mold, so it’s important to make sure your home is properly sealed to prevent moisture.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is a type of wood- or paper-based product. It is mechanically blown into or onto empty spaces in the structural part of a house. It is thick, dense and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The value of its shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts. It has many advantages, including:
- It is relatively inexpensive, yet still has an R-value of about 3.5 per inch of thickness.
- When walls are already finished, injecting loose-fill cellulose insulation is one of the few ways of adding insulation.
- It stands up reasonably well against insects and vermin because it is treated with borates.
- It’s an eco-friendly insulation option due to the materials it’s made out of.
Now that you know more about the three main insulation options, you should be able to make an informed decision when speaking with an insulation contractor.
Call the professionals from IBP of Nashville at 615-649-5481 to speak with a local insulation installer about your options.
