These Are Your Choices In Wall Insulation When You Want To Improve Energy Efficiency In Your Home
Posted on: 7 October 2017
Adding insulation to the exterior walls of your home could help lower your power bills and increase the comfort level inside your home. There are different options of wall insulation. The primary deciding factor that narrows your choices is whether you want to open up the walls to apply it. If you're going to put up new drywall or exterior siding, then you have more choices than if you need to add the insulation without ripping open the walls. Here's a look at your options:
Rigid Foam And Fiberglass Batt Insulation For Open Walls
If you're renovating your home and opening the walls, then you might want to install rigid foam or fiberglass batt insulation during the process. These come in sheets you press against the walls, so you'll need open access for this kind of insulation. The advantage of using these types of insulation is that they are affordable options. However, they're only affordable and practical if you already have the walls open. These types of insulation are also easy to apply yourself if you're looking for a DIY option.
Spray Foam Insulation For Open Or Closed Walls
Spray foam can be used on walls that are open or closed. You can hire a contractor to spray the foam on the walls before you replace the siding or drywall. The foam expands and fills in cracks before it hardens, which is an added benefit. Spray foam that's used on exterior walls is usually the waterproof variety. This can protect your home from flooding and other water problems. Foam is also an excellent sound barrier material, so your home should be quieter after you have it applied.
You can still have spray foam put in your walls if you don't open them up. The contractor does this by spraying the foam through a hole in the wall. The foam then expands and fills the wall cavity before it dries.
Blown In Insulation For Closed Walls
If you want insulation but you don't want to open your walls, then blown in insulation could be the answer. You can blow in bits of fiberglass or cellulose material. The cellulose is treated to be fire resistant so it isn't a danger to use. The contractor fills the wall cavities with the insulating material by blowing it through a small hole on the exterior side of the wall. It's usually not necessary to remove the old insulation first unless it is wet and moldy.
If you live in an older home, there's a good chance your walls need extra insulation. Fiberglass batt insulation was commonly used in older homes and it can be damaged over time by water or household pests. When fiberglass is compressed, it doesn't insulate as well. Adding more insulation to your walls could make a big difference in the energy efficiency of your home and reduce the workload on your furnace.
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