The 5 Most Common Types of Insulation Used in Homes

Insulation is an essential component when constructing or renovating a house. It keeps out unwanted air and secures the desired indoor temperatures. Choosing the right material for your project can be tricky, so it’s important to understand the most common types of insulation used in homes.

Blanket Insulation

Blanket insulation is one of the most favorable types. The material is available in batts or rolls that easily fit into place between the studs, joists, and beams of the walls. Fortunately, you can choose from many options, including fiberglass, mineral wool, plastic fibers, or natural fibers.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is common in homes because of its incredible performance. As the liquid exits the nozzle, it bubbles up and fills every crevice between the studs and joints.

Homeowners enjoy the advantage of a higher R-value than the average blanket insulation. Although it’s more expensive and requires professional application, spray foam is high quality and prevents air from leaking in or out of the home.

Rigid Foam Insulation

Have you seen pink or blue insulation in your home? That is rigid foam insulation, which is typically made from polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyisocyanurate. Manufacturers turn the hardened foam plastic into customizable sheets for walls, roofs, and floors. It’s also great for unfinished basement walls!

Airflow protection and moisture prevention are two reasons why rigid foam is a favorable choice. The foam boards range in R-values of R-4 and R-6.5 per inch thick. As a result, the boards reduce the heat absorbed through the materials of the house.

Reflective Insulation

Reflective insulation isn’t like the others in this list. It doesn’t utilize an R-value to measure insulating properties; instead, it redirects heat away from the home.

Sunlight produces heat. Any object that UV rays touch absorbs heat. Reflective insulation takes the heat transmitted by the sun and deflects it outdoors. It uses a lightweight foil or a reflective coating to keep the house cool throughout the warm seasons.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Structural insulated panels are among the best materials to guarantee even insulation. Builders take each of the panels to form the walls, ceilings, floors, and roof of the house. Then, they sandwich the foam board between pieces of exterior sheathing. Determine the sizes you need, and a factory will compose the SIPs with those exact measurements.

Insulation and energy efficiency aren’t the only perks of structural insulated panels. They’re also great at soundproofing and preventing insect or rodent infestations!

Insulation & Safety

Insulation is a key component of a home’s functionality. If you are building a house from the ground up, you don’t need to worry about the dangers of asbestos in your building materials. However, if you are fixing up an old property, test for asbestos before renovations. Insulation once contained asbestos due to its fire-resistant properties. Following this essential step will keep you and your team safe throughout the project.

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