From Guest Blogger Emily Folk: What Types of Insulation Are Most Important for Your Home’s Energy Efficiency?

You are well-aware of the importance of insulating your home. You’d love to see your energy bills go down, maintain a moisture-free barrier — and hey — it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy a bit more quiet.

Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It protects against mold and air leaks. It also blocks noise, which, with a busy family in an open floor plan, can be game-changing.

But what type of insulation is best for your home? Is it possible that contrasting materials might work better in different parts of the house? What about some of the newer eco-friendly options?

Below we’ve compiled up-to-date information to help you consider the perfect insulation choice for your home.

R-value

The first thing you’ll notice when examining any insulation material is that it has an R-value rating. R-value stands for “resistance to heat flow”; the higher the value, the more protection it offers.

Don’t worry, there’s simple science behind r-values, and it’s not rocket science. Just remember that warm air moves up from down and toward cold away from hot. That’s it.

With airflow in mind, you can examine the different parts of your home with specific, informed insulation goals.

Attic

Since heat rises, a good place to start is your attic. In order to keep warm air in during the winter and out during the summer you’ll need to look at materials with an r-value of between 35 and 45.

Consider blown-in options like cellulose which are perfect for hard-to-reach spaces. Cellulose fill, made entirely of plant-based fibers such as recycled newspaper and cotton, is a much friendlier environmental option than traditional fiberglass products.

Walls

Efficient wall insulation will not only save energy costs, it may save your sanity as well. Batt or blanket insulation is ideal for soundproofing and, in many cases, is easy to roll into walls between existing studs. Some manufacturers design rock wool or fiberglass batting specifically with sound barrier properties in mind.

Garage

Garage insulation requirements are unique. Consider that the largest exterior entryway for most homes is the garage door. It opens and closes frequently, continually exposing the house to outdoor elements. Replace your existing garage door with one that is insulated with an R-value up to 20.4 for optimal protection.

Basement

Even though heat rises, it pays to insulate your basement. Not only will doing so significantly reduce overall air leakage, but certain types of insulation serve doubly as a protective barrier against moisture.

Groundwater absorption can damage your foundation and encourage mold formation. Once mold enters a structure, spores multiply and spread quickly. Closed-cell spray or foam insulation resists mold growth and allows for damp sites to dry effectively.

Crawlspace

Self-enclosed and rarely entered, most homeowners overlook crawlspace insulation options. However, if your crawlspace contains pipework, it’s worth checking into. Proper insulation keeps household water from freezing — and cracking —your pipes. It also protects against any moisture formed from sweat or slow-leaks.

If you choose individual pipe wrap or sleeve insulation, you may have trouble determining the R-value. There are no display requirements so make sure to ask up front. Remember, colder locations call for higher R-values.

After all, you’re proficient in the science behind heat flow!