When you think about staying warm at home warm during the winter, your mind probably goes to your heating system first. But your heating system isn’t the only thing that keeps your home comfortable during these long chilly months. Just like you need a reliable furnace or boiler for winter warmth, you also need proper home insulation.
If you think it’s time to update the insulation in your home, you may be wondering, “What type of insulation is best?” Here’s a brief look at the most common types of insulation — and how to decide which is best for your home.
Understanding R-Value
Before we dive into the best types of insulation for your home, it’s important to understand R-value. R-value measures how effective insulation is at keeping valuable heat in and unwanted heat out. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.
Different insulation materials have different R-values. Blown-in cellulose insulation, for example, has an R-value of R3.2 to R3.7 per inch of thickness when installed in loose fill form. If you wanted to achieve an overall R-value of, say, R49 along the attic floor, you would need to install enough cellulose insulation to achieve that R-value (in this case, about 13 to 16 inches thick.)
The Most Effective Types of Insulation for Upstate NY Homes
Here at Fred F. Collis & Sons, we install two key types of insulation in attics, walls, and basements: cellulose and spray foam.
Cellulose
Cellulose (sometimes called cellulose fiber) is an extremely versatile insulation material that comes in both loose fill and batt form. It is made from recycled newspaper than has been treated with a fire retardant, making it an eco friendly insulation option. We often install cellulose in attics in loose fill form and in wall cavities in densely packed form.
Cellulose insulation has an R-value of R3.2 to R3.7 in loose fill form and R3.8 to R3.9 when densely packed.
Spray foam
Spray foam is especially versatile because in addition to providing insulating power, it can also seal air leaks. This makes spray foam a great option for air leaks, walls, ceilings, floors, crawlspaces, and high moisture areas. We often seal air leaks with spray foam before insulating with cellulose.
Spray foam insulation comes in two forms: open cell and closed cell. We install closed cell spray foam, which produces fewer fumes and has an R-value of R6 to R8.
Upgrade Your Home Comfort with Professional Insulation
Do you have issues in your home that are taking away from your home comfort or driving up your energy bills? Maybe you’ve noticed that one particular room is never warm enough in the winter, or maybe you’d like more soundproofing against outside noise. Whatever the case, the team at Fred F. Collis & Sons has you covered. We offer expert insulation solutions for homeowners in the Utica and Rome areas and understand how to install insulation for maximum comfort and efficiency benefits.
