Home Insulation for DIYers
Average families in Tuscaloosa spend over $2,000 per year in energy bills, with over half of that being used towards heating and cooling your home. However, there are ways to keep your energy bills lower while still being comfortable in your Tuscaloosa home, even when the weather gets colder. One of those ways is ensuring your home is properly insulated. This article tells about the different types of home insulation to ensure you have the best type to fit the needs of your home.
What Is Insulation?
Insulation is material that resists changes in temperature from passing through one area into another. It protects your home from outside temperatures coming in, and inside temperatures going out. Different types of insulation provide different levels of protection for your home. Depending on the type, thickness, and density of the material used, you can experience better climate control and energy efficiency. However, you must choose the right type needed for different areas of your home.
Types of Insulation
Insulation comes in many different types made from different materials. This is because some types of insulation may work more effectively in certain areas of your home over others. Common insulation materials are fiberglass, cellulose, foam, mineral wool, and natural fibers.
Rolled Insulation
Rolled insulation is a blanket of insulation rolled up in pre-cut lengths, making it fairly easy to place yourself. This type of insulation works best for DIY-ers because of its easy installation method and affordable cost. Rolled insulation is installed in pieces that lie beside each other, leaving less room for gaps that air could pass through. This insulation can be rolled between wall and ceiling framing, or it can be rolled along the attic flooring.
Insulation Batts
Insulation batts also come in pre-cut sections, and are made to fit between framing in walls, floors, and ceilings. This type of insulation is very affordable and great for those who like to DIY as well. Insulation batts can be made from many different materials including fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, natural fibers and recyclable materials. They’re relatively easy to handle and install, but may not seal gaps as well as rolled insulation.
Loose-Fill Insulation
For loose-fill insulation, special equipment is required to blow or spray the insulation into place. This type of insulation is great to use in attics or oddly-shaped areas where you may only need to fill in corners or gaps. Because of the special equipment used to install this type of insulation, it is on the more expensive side, but you can rent the equipment and try this project out for yourself. If you have oddly shaped areas or tight-squeezes that need to be insulated, this type of insulation may be your best option.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is similar to loose-fill insulation in that you may need special equipment to get this job done, if it’s a large job. If you only need to fill in small gaps or areas, this insulation comes in an easy-to-use spray can. Once sprayed, the liquid latex or polyurethane foam expands and hardens in place. This type of insulation is great for oddly-shaped places, small gaps, and sealing around doors and windows. Once the foam sets, it can even be trimmed and painted.
What Can I Do?
If you’re planning to insulate your home yourself, first you’ll need to decide where you’re going to use the insulation. Walls and attics are the most important places you should have insulation, however, you could be losing energy from other areas of your home that need attention as well. Use an insulation calculator to figure out how much you need, or get an inspection from a professional.
Also note the materials used in insulation are known to be irritants to the skin, so using protective covering on your skin and over your eyes is imperative when handling it yourself.
Learn More
Legacy Heating & Cooling cares about the comfort of your whole home, and we constantly provide tips and advice for maximum comfort and energy savings. If you need advice about your home’s comfort system, or give us a call at (205) 364-1044. Be sure to visit us on Facebook and Instagram!
