The Architect’s Home Insulation Guide
Our Austin Architects Review the Most Popular Types of Insulation and Considerations to Keep in Mind When Choosing Insulation for Your Home
When building or renovating your home, it’s easy to get caught up in selecting paint colors, flooring, and light fixtures. However, the material selections inside your walls are just as important as the ones you can see. Choosing suitable types of insulation can significantly affect your home’s comfort level and energy bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save 20% on heating and cooling costs and 10% on total energy costs by adding the proper insulation. To help you make an informed choice, our Austin architects review popular insulation types and considerations in our home insulation guide.
What is Insulation?
Whether building your first house or planning your first remodel, the insulation you choose will impact your home’s energy efficiency and comfort level. Insulation is a material that reduces heat transfer and controls the climate of interior spaces, keeping the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Builders add insulation to wall cavities, attics, and floors. Along with sealing air leaks, insulation works to control a home’s temperature, humidity, and noise levels.
Considerations to Keep in Mind when Choosing Insulation for Your Home
There are many different types of insulation available. When choosing insulation for your home, it’s essential to keep the following considerations in mind. When in doubt, lean on the advice of your architect and design team.
R-value
R stands for “resistance,” and the R-value refers to a material's ability to reduce heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more heat flow is reduced. However, a higher R-value doesn’t necessarily indicate a better-quality insulation material. Recommended R-values vary based on geographical location and use in the home. According to Energy Star, builders should use R13-R21 grade materials for exterior walls and R30-R60 for attics. City codes set minimum standards, and inspectors will ensure adherence before the walls get sealed.
Geographic Location
Recommended R-values will vary slightly depending on geographical location. Typically, Northern states require higher R-values for attic and crawl space insulation than Southern states. However, wall insulation typically falls within the same range but can vary by local building codes. No matter where you live, using the right R-value is crucial.
Location in the Home
Different locations in the home may require different types of insulation. The main spots to insulate include attics, walls, and floors over crawl spaces.
Budget
Insulation materials vary in price, quality, and lifespan. While it is important to stay within budget, it’s also essential to evaluate your long-term goals. For example, some insulation materials have a lifespan of 20 years while others can last up to 80.
Energy Efficiency
Creating an energy-efficient home is one of the biggest benefits of insulation. Not only is energy efficiency better for the planet, but it will also help lower monthly heating and cooling costs.
Eco-friendliness
In addition to energy efficiency, it’s also important to evaluate how materials affect the planet as a whole. Consider what the material is made from and what that means for the environment.
Top 5 Types of Home Insulation
1. Batt Insulation
Batt insulation (also known as blanket and roll) is one of the most popular base-level insulation materials. Typically made from fiberglass, batt insulation meets minimum requirements and typically lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
Pros: Affordable
Con: Short lifespan
2. Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has risen in popularity for its high R-value and energy efficiency. Liquid polyurethane is sprayed into walls and cavities and expands into a solid foam, creating an airtight seal, even in irregularly shaped places. Because the seal is so good, the HVAC team must plan enough air exchanges to ensure the home has adequate airflow. Spray foam insulation can last 80 to 100 years. However, it can emit toxic fumes during fires. Additionally, spray foam insulation should be installed by professionals.
Pro: Airtight seal
Con: Expensive
3. Blow-in Insulation
Blow-in insulation (also known as BIB and loose-fill) is typically made from cellulose, blown in by machines, and held in place with netting. The easy installation process makes it less expensive and an excellent option for attic floors. Cellulose blow-in is nontoxic and can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. It’s best to have a professional for this job. Otherwise, it could get messy!
Pro: Nontoxic
Con: Not for DIY
4. Rockwool Insulation
Rockwool insulation (also known as mineral wool) is a Green product made from spun lava rock strands. It has a high R-value with the bonus of being fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, soundproof, and nontoxic. It has a similar installation process to batt insulation. However, this eco-friendly material is more expensive.
Pro: Environmentally friendly
Con: Expensive
5. Soundproofing Insulation
Soundproofing insulation combines thermal insulation with soundproofing. Typically made from fiberglass, mineral wool, or cotton, soundproof inspiration is a great choice for exterior walls or rooms that need additional peace and quiet, like media rooms, bedrooms, and home offices. However, soundproof insulation is not as necessary for all spaces.
Pro: Deadens sounds
Con: Expensive
Hire a Team of Professionals to Help Insulate Your Home
Building a home takes an entire team from design to construction to insulation installation. That’s why it’s important to know who you need to hire. Selecting a quality architect and home builder will put you on the right track to a well-designed (and insulated) home. There are many types of insulation out there. So, hire a team to help guide you to the best choice for your home.