When you become a homeowner, there are more than a couple of things that you need to understand. For example - sooner or later, you’ll see that insulation plays a key part in your home’s basic functionality. For one, it keeps your home warm in the winter months, while also being crucial for keeping everything breezy and cool in the summer.

Obviously, you’d be wise to pick your insulation options wisely. But when you get into the nitty-gritty of it, you’ll realize that the myriad options can be a bit confusing for someone who doesn’t know a whole lot about insulation. Keeping this in mind, we’ve devised something of an insulation 101; a quick and nifty guide to get you up to speed on all the basics that you’d be smart to learn.

How Does Insulation Work?

Basically, insulation works on a simple principle; by physically barring the heat transfers between different parts of your house; like the roof, ceiling, and walls. Naturally, here’s where we get into the details, and things become a bit more complicated. Namely, the function of insulation somewhat depends on the material that you use for it. So, depending on the specifics, you could have nothing more than a simple barrier against heat transfer; or if you use foam panels, you could get some of this heat reflected back in the direction from whence it came.

Basically, insulation’s role during the summer is to prevent any heat from getting into your home from the outside - and in the winter it’s the opposite, getting heat to remain indoors so you’re cozy and comfortable.

Basics of R-values

Regardless of what kind of architectural function we’re talking about - there has to be a way to measure its overall effectiveness. And in that regard, insulation is no different. Its main measurement of effectiveness is the R-value. If you take any given material and have a look at its R-value, you’ll see that the higher it is, the bigger the resistance to penetration by heat it has.

If a type of insulation has a bigger R-value, it’s probably made out of a material that’s denser or thicker; being able to block higher heat values than some kind of thinner insulation. Though, this doesn’t mean that types of insulation with lower R-values aren’t always effective. For instance, spray foam isn’t particularly thick, but it’s still effective in keeping air out. So, while the R-value is the main measure of insulation effectiveness; it’s far from being the only one!

Types of Insulation

As you may have gathered already, insulation isn’t really a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. You’ll find that there are various types of insulation that fit different requirements and practical needs. While the specifics of any kind of insulation may vary depending on the material manufacturer and particular use, we’ll take a look at the main kinds of insulation out there!

Batt Insulation

For starters, here’s what most people have in mind when they think about insulation. This is a type of insulation that utilizes materials like cotton or fiberglass, which comes in rolls. Then, this material is applied in layers on ceilings, floors, walls, and any other specific parts of one’s home where a lot of insulation is necessary.

Spray Foam

Much like its name implies, this kind of insulation arrives in a liquid foam form, which you then spray on any surfaces where you might require insulation. This foam hardens and expands, giving you a coating of insulation filling cracks, gaps, and other small crevices that other kinds of insulation might not seal.

Blown-in insulation

Much like spray form solutions for insulations, this kind does not come in usual rolls either. Instead, you apply it via a blower. But it doesn’t originate from its container as a liquid. Instead, it’s made out of extremely small bits of cellulose and fiberglass, that serve to fill up any area on which they’re blown. As a result, you get great heat retention, and also a sound barrier to boot!

Radiant Barriers

This is a special form of insulation, consisted of perforated aluminum which comes in layers. Most people apply this insulation in attic walls, particularly in regions with very warm climates. The radiant barriers reflect solar energy, making temperatures smaller in the upper parts of your home, including the attic. This largely serves to make air conditioning and heating more efficient.

Window Insulation

Insulation for windows usually comes in a thin film, which you carefully apply to the surface of the windows, or simple plastic sheeting you cover the windows with. These days, many glass manufacturers build insulation into the window panels themselves.

Air Sealing

If you’ve got gaps and cracks within your walls - or even worse, in your foundation - even the best-quality materials for insulation probably won’t do you much good. Quite logically, if there’s even a single nook or cranny through which air is able to flow without interruption; your entire insulation becomes far less efficient. That’s why looking for cracks and fixing them using a sealant is a crucial step to fully insulating your household. For this purpose, you’ll find different types of sealant; but the above mentioned spray foam may be the best choice, seeing as it’s both an air sealant and an insulator.

Insulation Installation

Remember - making sense of all the varying kinds of insulation out there, and deciding which is best for your specific needs isn’t always simple. That’s why it may be a better idea to find a professional who can pinpoint the best kind of insulation for you, and install it efficiently and accurately. That will spare you of extra expenses, as well as any other unneeded bumbling and stress.