What are the Types of House Insulation? Which is Better? Why?

Are You a home buyer, owner, builder?

You need to see the video below

Before we start talking about the types we need to know where do we apply the insulation on the house?

First is the exterior walls of the house which consists of in to out Dry wall, Studs, Sheathing, Vapor barrier then exterior cladding. In the exterior walls we can apply insulation in 3 places :

1- Between Studs

2- Sheathing type or with Sheathing

3- New in 2020 we can replace Studs with T-Studs (will talk about it in another Blog)

4-Even in 2020 there are some vapor barrier that are thermal insulator at the same time!!

So if we talk about between Studs then the size of studs will also effect the amount of insulation, How?

2x4 studs are Actual 3.5 inches deep & 16 inches on center

2x6 studs are Actual 5.5 inches deep & 16 inches on center

2x8 (Advanced framing) studs are Actual 7.25 inches deep & 24 inches on center which is Less lumber and thermal break with more space for insulation (Perfect Green Home)

If you apply insulation on 2x4 walls definitely it will be less than if you apply it on 2x6 walls.

What are the types of insulation that can be installed or applied between studs?

Yes Perfect question ??

1- Closed or Open Cell Foam ( Closed Cell Foam is much better as insulation and water resistance) both are not very well as a fire resistance.

2- Batt insulation very common on construction specially in residential and its made from cotton or stone wool. its non-combustible very good to resist fire.

3- Blown Cellulose its made of paper but its chemically treated to resist fire, its really good in fire resistance.

My 2 recommendation are either use Blown Cellulose or Flash and Batt (which is 2 inches of closed cell foam + batt insulation)

Now lets move with sheathing, why do we need sheathing? the answer simply will be its very important as a structural element + we will mount the vapor barrier and the exterior cladding in it so we need a flat surface to mount on.

The most common Sheathing are made from Plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) but now you can use different types of sheathing such as :

1- Zipwall from R-3 to R-12 the bigger R value the bigger width

2- SIS panel Styrofoam Structural insulated sheathing

There are more but what i mentioned is good enough to insulate and save energy to reduce your utility bills and keep your house last longer with low maintenance.

Yes I mean it when i said Low Maintenance

T-Studs :

i don't want to go deep in this part but fast and simple explanation is where you have wall studs where you will have a thermal bridge so the heat goes fast to your space but with T-Studs you will have an engineered studs and between there is a closed cell foam looks like a sandwich. So where ever you have T-Studs there will be insulation that means Zero thermal bridge.

Move to the Vapor Barrier that are thermal insulator too such as Low E House wrap reflective insulation 

Second is going to be your attic 

The most common area where contractors don't give a high insulation which is a big mistake, why?

In winter where the snow, ice, rain water settle in your roof all the cold surface will be transferred to your attic.

In Summer hot air have low density so it always come from up + sun rays goes directly to your roof all the way to your attic and if you enter your attic it will always be over 100 degree.

What are types of insulation that could be applied on your attic?

1- Batt insulation (between rafters or Trusses)

2- Blown Cellulose

3- Low-E attic floor application and between trusses application

4- Fiberglass

5- Foam insulation 

Recommended R-49 Blown Cellulose or fiber glass with Low-E attic floor application

Third which will be the part that some contractors neglect it the Rim board insulation.

If your home with basement then it has rim board, you will ask me where is it at?

its where the basement ceiling framing and house siding connect or meet above the foundation wall.

This area if it is not sealed correctly then it will be the big source or factor for heat loss.

Recommended is flash (spray closed cell foam and batt insulation)

One more situation what if the house have Crawl space.

go with batt insulation and closed cell foam.

What is R-Value : Its the amount or the capacity of insulation material to resist heat flow. The bigger or higher R value the higher insulating power.

My advise is to not build as code minimum if you are going to live in that house.

Go with

R-19 to R-24 on exterior walls

R-49 minimum for attic spaces

R-23 minimum in Rim Board