Options for Insulating Your Home

Insulation can drastically reduce your monthly energy costs – it's definitely worth the investment.

Selecting insulation

Don't choose insulation based on how thick it is, rather, make a decision taking into account its R-value (resistance to heat and cold). Insulation packages include the R-level and thickness on the wrapper, so it's easy to compare prices and ratings between brands.

There is more than one option when it comes to home insulation. The type of insulation you purchase depends entirely on the specific needs of your home.

Types of Insulation

Batts and Blankets: Fiberglass and Rock Wool Batts are both available options. Perfect for insulating unfinished attic floors, rafters, walls, crawlspaces, and ceilings, they offer 3.0 R-value per inch. Installation is relatively easy – lay them in place or fit them between studs or joists. Friction will hold them in place in the latter example.

Fiberglass and Rock Wool Blankets also offer 3.0 R-value per inch and can be placed in the same locations as batts. Use friction fitting to install, but note that blankets that come with vapor barriers that include flanges you must staple to framing.

Need a Home Improvement Contractor? Find Home Improvement Contractors in your area: Your zip code or city:

Loose Fill: Poured insulation consists of the following materials.

1. Fiberglass 3.1-3.3 R-value
2. Rock wood 3.0-3.3 R-value
3. Cellulose 3.7-4.0 R-value
4. Vermiculite 2.0-2.6 R-value
5. Perlite 2.0-2.7 R-value

When is poured insulation a good choice? Unfinished attic floors that have unusual spaces between joints or several obstacles, walls, and other cavities make good use of poured insulation. To install, pour the insulation material to the appropriate depth, getting into every nook and cranny.

Blown Insulation: Available in cellulose (3.1-4.0 R-value), fiberglass (2.8-3.8 R-value), and rock wool (2.8-3.8 R-value). You can use this type of insulation in finished ceilings, walls, floors, and in other closed spaces. This material can be difficult for the average homeowner to install, so it's recommended to hire a contractor to do the job.

Foam: Urethane foam is injected into closed cavities, and must be done by a contractor. With a very high R-value of 5.3, this material provides decent insulation.

Rigid Foam Board Sheets of polystyrene, with an R-value of 4.0-5.4, polyurethane (6.7-8.0), and polyisocyanurate (8.0) are excellent insulating materials even though they are very thin. Use on roofs, ceilings, walls, foundations, and any other location that requires very good insulation. Because polystyrene and polyurethane are combustible, you have to face with drywall.

Find a local Building contractor.
View more Building articles.