Best Residential Insulation Practices

What is the best insulation.

Best residential insulation practices.

Insulation tips for hot humid climates. One way to assess what is the best insulation is by a measurement called an r value. Blanket batts and rolls are typically constructed with fiberglass although versions made of cotton mineral wool. Notice that you don t see insulation filling all the spaces between the ceiling joists.

Thermal bridging can best be minimized in the design phase by a designer who includes cost effective thermal bridge free details. The higher the r value the better that material is for insulation. Batts are about the worst you can do here. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral rock and slag wool plastic fibers and natural fibers such as cotton and sheep s wool.

The best insulation types for your home new insulation options are less toxic and more energy efficient. By susan lahey november december 2006. Cavity fibrous or cellulose insulation can be installed at levels up to r 15 in a 2 inch x 4 inch wall and up to r 21 in a 2 inch x 6 inch wall. Do it yourself insulation of unfinished walls floors and ceilings.

Air krete cementitious foam is a nontoxic insulation that s sprayed into wall cavities. In this case it s because they weren t cut. 14 best practices for high performance homes from our experts. Icynene foam insulation is blown in using water and contains no cfcs or formaldehyde once cured.

R value is a measurement based on a material s ability to resist heat flow. Here are some best practices for reducing thermal bridging. The best way to insulate your house or church school or office building greatly depends on what type of environment you live in if you look at historic houses and buildings you can learn a lot about how to design for your climate because early builders had to adapt to the local conditions to try to make buildings as comfortable as possible. Whenever possible site the home to take advantage of southern exposure on the rear with fewer penetrations on the north side.

Reduce exterior wall leaks by taping the joints of exterior sheathing and caulking and sealing exterior walls. For the best performance an insulation material needs to fill the whole space with no gaps voids compression or incompletely filled areas. Select a wall system that minimizes thermal bridging such as a double plate wall or one with exterior rigid insulation. See that photo above.

Get the input of architects trade partners suppliers and other decision makers while the project is still in the design phase.