Warm Winters, Cool Summers; Adequate Home Insulation Makes it Happen
Homeowners in North America, especially in the northernmost
parts, are no strangers to frigid, windy winters where a warm, cozy
home with adequate insulation affords a welcome retreat.
From the mid-northern states of America to the artic north regions
of Canada, home insulation of one type or another is a necessary
requirement for every home. Insulation types range from fiberglass
insulation, foam insulation, spray foam insulation, and cellulose
insulation, to reflective aluminum faced sheeting insulation.
Reasons For Adequate Insulation
Why all the fuss? There are several compelling reasons to adequately
insulate a home; including homes in more temperate or sub-tropical
zones.
First and foremost, equipping a structure with adequate house insulation
helps to stop the transfer of heat through the walls. This works
equally well in both seasonal extremes.
In winter, insulation keeps heat from transferring from the inside
of the structure to the outside; in summer, it keeps heat from transferring
from the outside to the inside. In both scenarios, inside “comfort
zone” temperature is kept more constant. Therefore, the structure
is much easier to heat during winter months, and keep cool in the
summer.
In addition, by having adequate insulation in either climate, HVAC
systems are not overworked by trying to keep up with demand, adding
years to the life expectancy of the system.
Insulating efficiency of all types of insulation is rated by an
insulation R factor, based on every inch of thickness of the insulation.
How much insulation is adequate for different climates? According
to the US Department of Energy (DOE) the following guideline for
insulation R values is best:
- Zone 1 – Upper Midwest and New England states
Attic – R49 Walls – R28 Floors – R25
- Zone 2 – Mountain West and Great Lakes regions
Attic – R49 Walls – R22 Floors – R25
- Zone 3 – Pacific Northwest and Southern states
Attic – R49 Walls – R18 Floors – R25
- Zone 4 – Sub-topic Gulf Coast and California
Attic – R49 Walls – R18 Floors – R25
More specific guidelines are available from the DOE, according
to postal zip-code.
Important Areas to Insulate
There are four important areas to insulate in a home structure;
The attic, exterior walls, the floor/crawlspace, and the garage.
Adequate attic or roof insulation is the single most important
area because of the physical fact that heat rises, making the roof
the primary culprit for heat loss transfer in a home. Attic insulation
is most commonly installed by blown insulation, applied using a
special blower and hose. Or by blanket insulation, installed by
placing rolled or batt insulation between ceiling joists. Proper
insulation R values are attained by either the resulting depth of
loose cellulose, fiberglass blown in, or the insulation R factor
of the rolled insulation or batts installed.
Exterior walls are the next most important areas to keep heat loss
at a minimum. Exterior walls are normally insulated using batt insulation,
with R factor determined by the thickness of the batts.
Batts are installed between framing studs in the wall, normally
during the construction process. Older structures requiring more
adequate insulation are good candidates for blown insulation installed
by a professional contractor. Otherwise, plaster or drywall must
be removed to access framing studs for installation of batt insulation.
Floors or crawlspaces are insulated using fiberglass batt insulation
with the correct R value underneath the floor between floor joists.
Attached garages sometimes get overlooked for proper insulation.
Walls and ceilings should be insulated with the proper R value material.
Garages are a popular area to quickly insulate with hardboard foam
insulation; cut to fit between frame studs and rafters, and then
nailed or glued into place.
Home Insulation Price
The most common types of insulation used in today’s structures
are fiberglass insulation purchased in rolls, fiberglass batt insulation
in 8-foot lengths (4 or 5 to a bag), and loose fiberglass blow in
insulation purchased in bags.
Home insulation price can vary greatly from one locality to another,
with 15-inch wide R19 fiberglass insulation costing anywhere from
$.38 to $.45 per square foot. Homeowners may have difficulty finding
fiberglass batt insulation with the adequate R value for attic insulation.
Many building material supply retailers only stock up to R38 in
batt insulation, priced at around $1.20 per square foot.
Loose fiberglass blow in insulation is widely available, at a cost
of about $.75 per square foot at R50, or about 19.5 inches deep.
Most retailers provide free use of equipment to install blow in
insulation. However, some professional blow in insulation contractors
provide R50 and install it for less than $.75 per square foot, so
wise homeowners will seek their services.
DIY Installation
Installing insulation into frame walls before drywall is installed
is a relatively easy do it yourself project. Requiring no special
expertise or tools other than a utility knife to cut insulation
batts, and a stapler to attach the edge of the paper facing to stud
faces. Fiberglass particles are extremely irritating to the skin,
so protective clothing and eyeglasses should be used at all times.
Hiring a Professional
A general contractor will normally install adequate insulation
– usually included in the contract for new construction projects.
For homeowners wishing to have more adequate insulation professionally
installed in existing structures such as older homes, a professional
insulation contractor or insulation company may be the best option.
Especially when blow in insulation is needed for exterior walls,
to avoid drywall demolition.
To locate reliable local contractors, homeowners all over America
are turning to HandyAmerican.com
Whether seeking a general contractor or a house insulation installer,
homeowners sign up for FREE with no obligation. And then post project
details online where it is made visible 24/7 to local contractor
members waiting to bid competitively for the project.
Homeowners receive bids within days, even hours after project posting;
view contractor profile pages, licensing, certification, and insurance
credentials, customer references and feedback, and peruse contractor
photo galleries of recently completed projects online. And then
make an informed hiring decision, or hire no one at all. Remember,
there is no obligation whatsoever.
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