Insulation
Insufficient insulation is one of the leading causes of energy waste in buildings. Proper insulation conserves energy, saves money on a building’s heating and cooling bills, and keeps building occupants comfortable. Insulation helps keep heat in during the winter, cool air in during the summer, and protects the building from moisture from condensation.
Insulation is rated by a term called “R-Value,” which is a measurement of the material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at doing its job. Insulation can be installed in a new building as part of the building process, or added to an existing building. The type and strength of insulation used in a building depends on a number of factors such as the building’s heating system and local building codes.
A building should be insulated from top to bottom: the foundation, the floors, exterior walls, the HVAC system, and especially the attic (think of putting a hat on in the winter to keep warm – same concept).
Recommended R-Values for Colorado*
Homes with natural gas heat or heat pump: Attic R-49, Wall R-18, Floor R-25, Crawlspace R-19, Basement R-11
Homes with electric heat: Attic R-49, Wall R-22, Floor R-25, Crawlspace R-19, Basement R-19
Types of Insulation*
| Form | Type of Material | Where to Use | Installation Method | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanket (batts and rolls) |
Fiberglass Wool Plastic fibers Natural fibers |
Unfinished walls (including foundation walls) Floors Ceilings |
Fitted between studs, joists, and beams | Do-it-yourself Suited for standard stud and joist spacing (which is relatively free from obstructions) |
| Concrete Block | Foam beads Liquid foam Polystyrene Polyisocyanurate Polyiso Polyurethane Vermiculite Perlite pellets |
Unfinished walls (including foundation walls) For new construction or major renovations |
Involves masonry skills | Autoclaved aerated concrete and autoclaved cellular concrete masonry units have 10 times the insulating value of conventional concrete |
| Foam board or rigid foam | Polystyrene Polyisocyanurate Polyiso Polyurethane |
Unfinished walls, (including foundation walls) Floors Ceilings Unvented low-slope roofs |
Interior applications: must be covered with 1/2-inch gypsum board or other building-code approved material for fire safety Exterior applications: must be covered with weatherproof facing. | High insulating value for relatively little thickness Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists |
| Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) | Foam boards Foam blocks | Unfinished walls (including foundation walls) New construction | Installed as part of the building structure | Insulation is literally built into the home's walls, creating high thermal resistance |
| Loose-fill | Cellulose Fiberglass Mineral Wool |
Enclosed existing wall Open new wall Unfinished attic Hard-to-reach places |
Blown into place using special equipment Sometimes poured in | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions |
| Reflective system | Foil-faced kraft paper Plastic film Polyethylene Cardboard |
Unfinished walls Ceilings Floors |
Fitted between wood-frame studs, joists, and beams | Do-it-yourself Suitable for framing at standard spacing Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present Most effective at preventing downward heat flow |
| Rigid fibrous or fiber insulation | Fiberglass Mineral Wool |
Ducts in unconditioned spaces and other places requiring insulation that can withstand high temperatures | HVAC contractors fabricate the insulation into ducts either at their shops or at the job sites | Can withstand high temperatures |
| Sprayed foam and foamed-in-place | Cementitious Phenolic Polyisocyanurate Polyurethane |
Enclosed existing wall Open new wall cavities Unfinished attic |
Applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed (foamed-in-place) product | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions |
| Structural insulated panels (SIPs) | Foam board or liquid foam insulation core Straw core insulation |
Unfinished walls Ceilings |
Builders connect them together to construct a house | SIP-built houses provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods; they also take less time to build |
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