Imagine you are camping out at the lake, but you have forgotten your tent, and the temperature is expected to dip below freezing. What do you do?
a) Go home.
b) Sleep in your car.
c) Sleep on the picnic table covered with an old afghan.
d) Place a sleeping pad on the ground and crawl inside a thermal sleeping bag?
If you are determined to sleep out and enjoy the experience, you will probably choose option D because it provides the greatest R-value, which is the resistance to heat flow. This is what will keep you warm through the cool night. In fact, the higher the R-value of your sleeping bag is, the warmer you will be.
The same goes for your home; however, instead of placing your home inside a sleeping bag, you fill its walls and attic with insulation.
How Insulation Works
Even if home insulation is inside your house, it serves as a barrier between outside and inside. It slows down the heat moving out of your house in the winter and the heat moving in during the summer. In this way, insulation helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature without overusing your heating and cooling system. This, of course, means energy efficiency and savings on your utility bills.
Types of Insulation
Just as there are different types of blankets and sleeping bags, there are different types of home insulation, and each has its specific purpose and R-value ratings.
A. Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is known for its high R-value per inch and excellent air-sealing properties. It is made from polyurethane foam that expands to fill cracks and cavities. It becomes a solid cellular plastic that does not settle and therefore offers long-lasting protection against air infiltration and heat transfer.
B. Fibreglass Batts and Blanket
Fibreglass batts and blankets are reminiscent of the batting or stuffing you find in quilts, cushions, and stuffed animals. However, instead of being made with cotton, polyester, or wool, insulation batts and blankets are made from fine fibres of glass that have been woven together.
Fibreglass batts are pre-cut pieces of fibreglass insulation. They are usually rectangular but can vary on thickness, which, of course, affects the R-value. Fibreglass batts are available in two main widths to match standard stud spacing. This way, batts can be placed between studs and joists.
Fibreglass blankets are large rolls of fibreglass that can be cut to measure. They function much the same as batts, but blankets are more useful to cover larger areas, including attics and wall sections where continuous insulation is required.
Both batt and blanket insulation have lower R-values per inch compared to spray foam, but they are a budget-friendly option for large areas and still provide adequate insulation when it is installed properly.
C. Blown Insulation
There are different types of blown insulation available on the market, but cellulose is the pick of preferred insulation contractors who want a “green” material. This spray insulation is made from recycled newspapers and has a greater R-value than batt insulation. Professionals can install blown insulation quickly and effectively.
Which Insulation to Use
Just as our camper combined two types of protection for their night under the stars, homeowners in the Bowmanville area often require a combination of insulation types for the greatest R-value protection. Consult with your local insulation experts at Durham Insulation to find out which insulation combination is best for your Bowmanville area home. We have almost 30 years of experience keeping people in the Durham Region comfortable all year long. Call us for a free quote today.