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February 09, 2010  |  Login
When and What to Insulate in Your Home
By Eric Corey Freed
 
Many different types of insulation are available:

  • Batt insulation (R-value: 2.9 to 3.8): Loose, fluffy batts of pink fiberglass are the most common type of insulation. Batts fit neatly between the studs of your wall framing. Unfortunately, the fiberglass is filled with chemicals and can irritate your lungs. As an alternative, choose formaldehyde-free and recycled cotton insulation.
  • Loose-fill cellulose (R-value: 3.1 to 3.7): Dry, loose fill is sprayed into closed up walls, or into attics and hard-to-reach places. It works great for existing walls that you don’t want to open up completely. Unfortunately, loose-fill insulation tends to settle like flour in a jar, leaving areas uninsulated. As an alternative, choose natural cellulose made from recycled newsprint. It’s treated with natural chemicals to make it fire resistant.
  • Spray-in foams (R-value: 3.6 to 6.2): Spray-in place foams are sticky and expand to fill the entire wall cavity. Although they cost more than other forms of insulation, the have a much higher R-value. Because they expand to fill every nook and cranny, they work much better at insulating your home. Avoid any foam that uses chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to expand. As an alternative, choose natural soy-based foams. They’re healthier than spray foam and offer all the same benefits. This is my favorite choice.
  • Rigid foam board (R-value: 3.9 to 7.0): Stiff boards of insulation are used at the edges of a concrete slab, over concrete basement walls, or anywhere space is tight. They’re more expensive per inch than other types, but rigid boards get a much higher R-value. Avoid formaldehyde products. As an alternative, choose polyisocyanurate or extruded polystyrene (EPS).
 
 

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