Foam Board Insulation

When it comes to ideal solution for home insulation, you have a lot of flexibility on your choices considering the abundant options for you to choose from. One of the best and highly recommended choices for home insulation of attic and roof is the attic foam insulation. Foam in considered as one of the best insulating materials because it is fairly effective in absorbing heat.

It is vital to note that foam insulating materials are available in various types. One of the widely used foam insulation for attics and ceilings is the rigid foam. This is available in different thickness and sizes. Consequently, prices also vary based on the specifications of the foam. Bear in mind that when it comes to insulation, you need to know about several insulating values, particularly the R value. This is important in determining how much insulation that you need to place in your attic.

In this case, the higher the R value in your own locality the thicker the rigid foam that you also need to install. Obviously, this will also tend to become more costly on your end. What is interesting to note is that rigid foam already has high R value. In fact, it is even considered as one of the highest compared to the other types of insulating materials. Since it already has high R value on itself, the foam doesn’t have to be thick in order to provide sufficient insulation.

]]>

Some types of rigid foam are even coated with reflective foil for added protection and insulation. This is widely used in many residential homes and commercial buildings alike because of its superb high R value thereby making this type of insulating panel way much thinner compared to the other types that are generally thick. This makes it easily to install. They are also more durable since the foam is fully protected by the reflective foil. The added protection preserves further the rigid foam for longevity in use.

However, in order to make if effective in providing highly effective insulation on the attic, you must carefully and exactly fit the rigid foam in order to completely seal off any leak. In this case, it is suggested to use sealing tapes on empty spaces in order to completely seal the entire area.

Another excellent type of attic foam insulation is the spray foam. This type was rated as having R value of 6. This is excellent in providing complete insulation for homes and commercial building. This is available in cans sold separately in store and home depot outlets. This type of home insulation has numerous advantages. One of them is ease in application. All you have to do is buy the spray foam cans and directly apply it on your roof and attic. Another unique benefit that spray foam offers is that it can completely seal the entire area and effectively fill void spaces without using sealing tapes.

In any case, both types of foam are ideal in providing effective home foam insulation. It is best to opt for the type of insulating material that you find it easy on your pocket, and at the same durable enough to provide sufficient long lasting insulation on your house.

Article source: http://www.articlesbase.com/construction-articles/best-solution-for-home-insulation-attic-foam-insulation-4916143.html

When the outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings it needs insulation. This reduces the heating / cooling cost which is necessary to build a healthier indoor environment. The air leakage can also cause air with dust and mould which is not hygienic.

Proper attic insulation helps you to reduce the energy bills. The attics can be easily insulated. Some older homes lack the proper insulation. First you can make a survey to decide how much insulation is needed for the present home. An energy audit can help you estimate the needed insulation. It is also necessary to decide the type of the insulation that should be installed. The crucial factor in this business is the R-value of the home which is an indicator of the efficiency to the thermal resistance.

To insulate an attic the best insulators are the loose-fill or batt insulation. The loose-fill is cheaper than the batt insulation. If the insulations are installed properly they can give a better coverage.

Some basic steps are need while insulating the attic. First of all seal all attic-to-home leaks because most of the insulators do not stop the flow of air. It is important to duct the exhaust fans to the outer side. A tight box is needed to cover the fan. You should seal the duct where it exits the box. The sides of the attic need either to be packed or closed with the drywall. 

]]>

Be sure to seal the openings like soffit, dropped ceilings etc. Seal around the chimney and the framing using furnace cement or high temperature caulk. These caulking compounds are available in disposable cartridges and some pressurized cartridges even don’t need the caulking gun.

At the top of the walls of attic you should use a long life caulk for sealing the small holes and gaps. The rigid foam board insulation or expanding foam can be used for this purpose. The available liquid foam insulations are of cementitious, phenolic, polysocyanurate, and polyurethane type. These foams flow over obstructions and then expand. There are liquid foam materials also which can be poured. Though they are costlier than the batt insulation they assure better performance. The installation of these liquid foams requires special equipments. It is better to call a certified insulation installer for the work.

Before installing the insulator in the ceiling check for water marks. The water marks are indicators of the roof leak. Wet insulation is not efficient and possibly can cause damage to your home. It is very important to insulate the access to attic especially if it is not conditioned. Take into consideration the R-value and climate before insulating the attic access. It is equally important to note the location of the attic access. If it is next to the unconditioned part of your house like the garage or porch then it can affect the insulation in a great way.

If you are living in warm or hot climate then it is worth considering installation of a radiant barrier along with insulation. It is helpful to reduce the amount of heat in summer and heat loss in winter.

Article source: http://munawawanjiru.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/how-to-do-a-proper-attic-insulation-464112.html