Which Type of Insulation Is Right For Your Home?

A home’s insulation is extremely important in keeping the Evergreen new home comfortable to live in. Insulation provides a layer of protection between the interior exterior that keeps the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Most people are familiar with the pink, fluffy-looking fiberglass insulation that’s extremely common in buildings of all type, but there are other alternatives that homeowners can pick from. Here are some of the different types of home insulation homeowners can choose from when updating their home.

Fiberglass Insulation

As briefly stated before, fiberglass is the most common type of insulation for homes. This is predominantly because it’s widely available and very inexpensive at less than a dollar per square foot. Fiberglass insulation is also easy to install as a DIY project because it comes in batts and blankets, so it’s a favorite among homeowners who want to save as much money as possible or are sticking to a tight budget. Homeowners who want to go with fiberglass insulation for their home won’t find any trouble finding a contractor to install it for them if they aren’t keen on the DIY route. Because it’s so common, it’s difficult to find someone who is unfamiliar with it.

Cellulose Insulation

Many homeowners are becoming more conscious about the materials that go into their home and how they may affect the environment. While fiberglass insulation is easily accessible, it isn’t very green, and this drives homeowners to look into options like cellulose. This insulation is made form 85% recycled paper and is biodegradable, so it won’t sit in a landfill for years to come when it comes time to replace it. Homeowners may be wary of cellulose because it seems like it would be highly flammable, but actually cellulose insulation is treated so it becomes fire retardant. One thing homeowners need to know before committing to cellulose is that it’s loose fill rather than coming in batts or blankets, so homeowners will need to hire a contractor to install it correctly.

Wool Insulation

Another type of green insulation is made of wool. This is a popular option for homeowners who want to make their home greener because wool is a renewable resource. It comes from animals like sheep, llamas, alpacas, and even more. Taking the wool doesn’t harm the animals, and it actually helps them because they’d overheat and die without someone regularly sheering them. Wool can be a great choice for use as insulation because it’s naturally fire retardant without anything added to it. However, wool is one of the more expensive choices on this list, and it isn’t especially common, so it can be difficult to buy a place to purchase it.

Spray Foam Insulation

The most unique option on this list, spray foam insulation isn’t installed with batts, blankets, or even loose fill. Spray foam starts off as a liquid that is sprayed onto a space with a special applicator. The liquid then expands to fill the space, leaving no gaps as it dries into a hard foam. Any excess foam is then cut away, and panels can be placed over the foam to finish the room. It’s very good at getting into every last nook and cranny thanks to how it expands. However, due to the nature of spray foam insulation, it needs to be installed by a professional. 

There are many different types of insulation that can fit different wants and needs, and these are only some of the different types. For more information on insulation, be sure to consult an expert at a local hardware store who can help select the best type for every need.