Insulating your home may seem to be a costly affair at first thought. But there is a lot of savings coming along with the upgrade. You will be saving hundreds of dollars in energy savings every year and the insulation could pay for itself in the long term. Choosing the right material and more experienced insulation installers is another concern. In this guide, you will learn about a few important factors that could make all the difference between a right and wrong decision.

Performance Characteristics of Materials

Every insulation material will have its unique performance characteristics. This will include the R-value and the resistance to air/vapor flow. These factors are going to have an effect on the way the insulation will perform. It is important that you understand the characteristics of the various insulation materials before choosing the perfect one for a more energy efficient home.

R-value is an important factor to be taken into account. But the performance of even a high quality insulation with better R-value can be affected by a number of factors. This can include the quality of installation and the level of air barrier provided by the insulation.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is one of the most commonly used methods for home insulation. It is available in both loose fill and batts and is relatively cheaper. Fiberglass batts are quite easy to install but they are not as efficient as their loose-fill counterparts. The best thing about the material is that it is not flammable and has strong resistant to water-based damage.

Professional installers will always position the backing towards the interior of the home. So make sure that when the insulation is being installed in the ceilings, its backing faces down. In the case of floor installation, the backing should be facing up.

Mineral Wool

Mineral wool insulation is also referred to as rock wool insulation and it is just like fiberglass. It is relatively rare to find this type of insulation in many homes and it costs a little more. It is dusty and gives a look similar to dryer lint. It is available in loose fill and can be poured out or blown in. One thing about this type of insulation is that it gradually settles over time, which will reduce its insulting value. So you will have to upgrade your insulation after some time.

Cellulose Insulation

If you are looking for an organic insulation material with loose-fill characteristics, cellulose insulation is the perfect choice. It can become heavier by absorbing moisture, which could cause it to lose its insulation value and become compact. But chemically treated cellulose insulation is capable of resisting moisture and attacks by pests.

It is recommended that old compacted insulation should be removed and new insulation should be installed. It may sometimes be a more economical choice to install new insulation over the old one. You may also consider mixing different types of insulation. You may add a layer of new insulation over an existing one, even if the new material is different.