There are many different types of insulation available. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and a single home will usually have several different types of insulation, depending on where and how it will be used. They R value of the insulation lets you know how good it is at keeping the heat from transferring.
The kind of insulation you need will depend greatly on where you live. Those living where there are very cold winters will need more insulation to keep their house warm. Those who live where summers are very hot will want insulation to help keep the house cool. Those living in more temperate areas don’t need to be as concerned about insulation as the rest of us.
In general terms, a batting type of insulation is used under floors and in wall areas. Attics are often filled with blown in, or loose insulation. Hot water pipes should also have insulation around the pipes to keep them from loosing heat, and exposed pipes outside should be insulated to protect them from freezing.
Insulation can be made out of different materials. Common insulating materials include fiberglass, mineral wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers. Foam insulation can be made from polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane.
Insulation can also be sprayed in as a liquid, and it hardens into foam for blocking gaps around pipes and wires.
You can see your insulation working if on cold frosty mornings your roof still has frost on it, while the roofs of your neighbors don’t. Less obvious is the energy savings you reap in the summer months when your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard as that of your neighbors. Good insulation will benefit your home year round.
