One of the most important keys to reducing your heating and cooling costs is having your home well-insulated. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical homeowner may be able to reduce their energy bills by 10% to 50% by taking steps to reduce their energy use. Increasing the thermal insulation in homes is the most effective method. So what is the best insulation for your home?
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is made from sand and recycled glass and is probably the most recognized insulation in home construction. It is a cost-effective option for insulating your home. Fiberglass insulates by trapping pockets of air, which makes it a good thermal insulator. All insulation is rated by its R-value. The R-value measures insulation's ability to resist heat flow or thermal resistance. When purchasing insulation, be aware of the R-value and not just the thickness being installed.
Fiberglass insulation comes in two forms, blanket and loose fill. Blanket Fiberglass Woven Roving suppliers is rolled out like a blanket, covering walls and attics. Blankets come pre-cut and are called batts. Batts come with foil or paper backing, which creates a vapor barrier when installed correctly. Batts can also come fully encapsulated in a plastic bag for easier handling and installation. Backing needs to always face the warm side of the structure (heated area). Loose fill, or blown-in, is shredded chunks of the fiberglass insulation that is blown across an area to speed the insulation process. Another way of blowing it in is by netting the walls before drywall is installed and then filling the cavity. There is also an application where glue is added so it can be sprayed into exterior stud walls.