Selecting Wall Insulation: Ideal Tips

Table of Contents

1. Factor in During the Selection Process[+]
   1. Check Your Home Design
   2. Consider The Location
   3. Weigh In On Thermal Conductivity
   4. Emphasize on Flammability
   5. Know The Allergen Composition Of The Material
   6. Go For Durability
   7. Anticipate The Cost
   8. Factor In The Ease Of Installation

Insulation is a necessity for most homes, especially during extreme seasons like winter. You don’t want to overwork your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system as it tries to warm up your home and, in turn, increase your energy bills. Invest in wall insulation so that these two systems complement each other.

There are various insulation materials that you can use for your walls. This article will show you what to factor in during the selection process. Consider the following:

Factor in During the Selection Process

1. Check Your Home Design

The design of your home (including shape and complexity) often determines the type of walls you have. This greatly affects the type of insulation you’ll choose for your walls.

There are some materials you can’t use for curved parts. This is dependent on the physical characteristics of your chosen insulation materials, such as Earthwool. Some are hard to bend and manipulate, so they are only suitable for straight, uniform walls.

You should also consider if your walls have corners that would be hard to cover with your insulating material. There are materials to suit your complex home design, such as spray foam.

Use a Spray foam proportioner which will easily get into tiny spaces and corners and fully insulate your walls without allowing air leakages. Spray foam will easily get into tiny spaces and corners and fully insulate your walls without allowing air leakages.

2. Consider The Location

There are various aspects to look at when it comes to location. The first thing to consider is the prevailing climate in your locality. Is it warm or cold for most of the year? This will determine the choice of the properties of your insulating material. If your home’s location is in a warm climate, you don’t need much insulation on your walls.

This is because your home’s temperature is somehow comfortable. It would be best to go for insulating materials with average performance characteristics and not too expensive. If it’s in a cold area, invest in the best insulating material available to keep the cold out of your inner space.

You also need to consider if you want the insulation to be on your external or internal walls. This is a determinant because different insulating materials react differently when exposed to harsh conditions.

If it’s for your external walls, go for a material that’s resistant to moisture absorption, which would otherwise deteriorate its efficiency.

Consider the effect of prolonged sun exposure on the material. Some insulating materials, such as mineral wool, aren’t affected by ultraviolet rays. Others, like spray foam, meanwhile, would shrink with prolonged exposure.

3. Weigh In On Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of insulating materials is commonly referred to as its R-value. This denotes the resistance a material has to heat loss.

Therefore, look at its R-value when choosing your insulating material. The higher the R-value of an insulating material, the more insulation it provides.

Your R-value is dependent on your needs and preference. Suppose the other parts of your home, such as the ceiling, are already insulated. In that case, you can decide to choose a material with a low R-value to supplement the insulation already there.

4. Emphasize on Flammability

Flammability, in this context, refers to the insulation’s material ability to stop the spread of fire.

With walls being the main envelope of your home, it’s essential to consider the fire properties of your insulating material. It would be unwise to select a flammable material. In case of a fire, it would be the number one contributor to the spread of fire, damaging more property within a short period.

Insulating materials have different fire ratings. The ratings run from A to F; a material rated under class A isn’t combustible and won’t contribute to the fire. As you go down the hierarchy, the flammability increases.

Ask your vendor for information on this as you purchase your chosen insulating material, or make a quick search online to know more about it.

5. Know The Allergen Composition Of The Material

Inquire about the allergen composition of your preferred insulating material. Some traditional materials, such as fiberglass, can lead to respiratory complications, especially when you’re exposed to them for a long time.

If you have asthma or any such related conditions, consider modern technologies. Injection spray foam is one such material to consider. It will form a rigid substance that won’t release particles into the atmosphere.

6. Go For Durability

The durability of insulating materials is a crucial element to consider as you make your decision.

Select a material with a long lifespan; one whose thermal properties won’t diminish as time passes. Most homeowners compromise on durability due to the cost of cheaper alternatives.

It might be cheap initially, but with the need for constant replacements, the costs will add up, decreasing the viability of your material.

Therefore, put low costs aside and consider the longevity of the insulating material.

7. Anticipate The Cost

Different insulating materials have varying price tags based on several factors, such as durability and ease of manufacture.

Even as you consider other factors in your selection process, factor in the cost of acquiring your preferred material compared to your budget. Choose the best insulation material available that’s within your preferred price range.

If your budget is USD$8,000, choose the material that won’t go beyond this amount. With this, you’ll get the best material for your money’s value.

Besides the initial cost, consider the availability of your chosen insulation material. Some are locally available, while others need to be imported. If importation is required, be ready to shoulder shipping costs.

8. Factor In The Ease Of Installation

This is an essential factor to consider, especially if you’re considering insulating your walls as a do-it-yourself project. If you want to do the insulation independently, make sure that you’ve done your research and know what you’re getting into. For instance, don’t choose a material like spray foam because it requires special equipment and expertise to be installed.

Conclusion

As can be read in this article, selecting insulation for your walls isn’t a daunting task. The tips given are straightforward, and the factors highlighted are easy to look out for as you make your selection.

Thank you for reading!