Home remodel projects can be a fun and exciting time, deciding how your kitchen will look to the color of your bedrooms, but sometimes it can get very confusing and the type of insulation is a problem you ran into. Maybe you’re a homeowner who’s hired a contractor like Chaparral Contracting LLC or a DIY'er that has the chance to replace it for the first time. Either way, the figuring out which kind of insulation to use where can be a daunting task, that’s why Chaparral Contracting LLC has created a short article for you.
Like people, not all insulation is made the same, each is made to laid differently or for different uses. Homes and multi-family dwellings can have more than a few varieties of insulation inside their interior walls, exterior walls, and ceilings so we will start with what most homeowners will come across which would be interior wall insulation.
(Disclaimer- When handling insulation can cause major respiratory damage from the airborne fibers released when installing so it is strongly recommended that air respirators be worn when working with the material. Insulation also causes skin irritation and harm, recommendation is to cover the head to prevent touching the scalp, safety goggles, gloves, and long sleeves clothes to prevent long exposure. )
Blanket insulation
If you’ve ever had to remove a damaged wall in your home you’ve probably come across this type of insulation. The most common would look like cotton or wool with the sides removed and placed in between the wall studs.
This type of insulation is called Blanket Insulation which can come in batts or rolls. When the insulation comes in batts it is already precut to be inserted easily in open walls between studs and any areas not blocked by plumbing or electrical wires. Rolls come as the name describes in large rolls and is meant to be custom cut for open areas in the walls.
Most commonly blanket insulation is going to be made from fiberglass but can come in a variety of different materials such as wool cotton, polyester, and other minerals.
Blanket insulation is designed to be placed in between studs, rafters, and joists which makes it easy for DIYers to install themselves. If using the rolls, use a sharp utility knife and you should try not to compress the insulation because It renders it less effective.
Spray foam insulation
This type of insulation is applied using a spray gun and can be applied to open spaces like new construction, crawl spaces, and attics. That's why during a remodel project it is the best time to spray. Spray foam retains its shape after it has been applied to a surface and unlike blanket insulation spray foam will fill cracks, gaps, and crevices.
Spray foam creates an air seal around anywhere that the foam is applied to this keeps the home from fluctuating and your energy bill low. The issue that comes from spray foam is that is is not DIY friendly because of the expensive specialty tools required to apply it properly at the proper temperature and mixture.
Not all spray foam is the same that is also why you should make sure to know what your contractor is applying to your home and to make sure to only use the best quality.
Loose-fill insulation
Loose-fill insulation which also goes by the name of “blown-in” insulation is a type of insulation that is as the name says blown into a space, usually attics. Loose-fill insulation like blanket fill comes in a variety of materials such as cellulose and fiberglass.
Loose-fill insulation dominates new home attic insulation because of the amount of free space available but also the ease of placing.
While anyone could DIY using loose-fill insulation it is generally recommended to use a device called a blower for proper application.
Now that you have a little more information about what kind of insulation you could use for your home remodel project it will give you time to save and worry about other tasks that you have to do. We at Chaparral Contracting LLC are here to help with your home improvement needs and can answer a similar question when needed. Give us a call so we can answer any questions at 214-865-9329
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