November 19, 2009

Best Insulation Materials for Remodeling Drafty Older Homes

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 50% to 70% of the energy used in homes is for heating or cooling activities. Whether you reside in Bakersfield, Bangor or California, your home will be more comfortable and energy-efficient with the right type of insulation. Usage of branded insulation materials for proper insulation can create a more comfortable and consistent indoor climate while significantly improving your home's energy efficiency.

Drafty older homes get great benefits from added insulation. Bringing home's insulation to a standard level is not always possible, particularly if the home has undersized rafters or other limiting features. Homeowners can also add blown-in insulation to the enclosed stud spaces in an empty attic during any point of time. But to get the best R-value, plan to add to or replace, existing insulation in the remodel areas where the wall framing stays exposed. However, there is no single best insulation for all situations, some are better than others, depending upon the part of the house you are remodeling.

Attic Batts

If the roof is framed with rafters with attic space virtually open, you can add insulation batts between the horizontal joists. If an attic has finished floor, you can add insulation either above or between the sloped rafters. If you plan to insulate a living area in the attic, use Owens Corning paperfaced insulation in every rafter space, with the paper facing down. The thicker the batts, the higher is the R-value. When the depth of a rafter space is not enough to hold thick batts, go for high-density batts to increase the depth more.

Insulating the walls

If you wish to replace the wallboard during the remodel, the best way is to remove all wet, old or substandard insulation and install new fiberglass batts. Another efficient alternative is to hire a professional spray-foam insulation tech who will apply the expandable foam in open stud spaces and seal the cavities. Spray foam insulation is not a DIY project and costs high than batt insulation, offering the highest R-value.

Rigid Foam Insulation

If you want to insulate your home without furring the rafters, one option to do so is installing R-Max rigid foam insulation board over the rafters. They come in large, lightweight panels and when installed with seam tape and foam-safe adhesive, seals the boards to form a vapor barrier. You can install drywall on top of the boards for a finished attic.

Blown-in Attic Insulation:

When heat rises, most of the house's warmth escapes through the ceiling. Adding the best type of insulation depends on the roof framing system and future plans for the attic. If your roof trusses have small upper and lower chords with smaller wood members present in triangular patterns between, blown-in cellulose fiber works well. No matter, what type of insulation you add, it must not cover heat-producing light units or block soffit vents.

Home insulation is a barrier that resists the flow of heat. The better the heat flow resistance, the more the homeowner can save on heating and cooling costs and feel comfortable all year round. So, buy insulation materials online and avoid use of much energy to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

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