Choosing Your Insulation

Good insulation is a must in any house, you don’t need a continuing medical education to know that. Insulation keeps out the cold winds of winter and the sizzling heat of summer. There are various choices of insulation which will keep the climate inside your house pleasant.

Traditional Batt Insulation

Pros
Since it is sold in strips or rolls, home improvement stores sell it in bulk so it is readily available. Do-it-yourselfers can easily install batt insulation. It is also the least expensive of the insulation choices. Its prices vary depending on the R-value. It is also fire and mould resistant. There are wool batts available which are non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Cons
It has only a 3 to 4 R-value per inch. Usually it is improperly installed, so air leaks around joints and gaps. If compressed, it lowers the R-value even more. Since batts are usually made of fibreglass, which is dangerous to your lungs and skin, it is important to wear gloves and a respirator when installing.

Blown-in Cellulose

Pros
Cellulose is an eco-friendly insulation option as it is made of recycled newspaper. It is very workable and good for irregular spaces.  Another great feature is that Cellulose is fire and mould resistant.

Cons
It is more expensive than batt, yet it does not provide any more R-value per inch. It can settle over time and lower the R-value.

Rigid Board

Pros
It attaches to the framing so it improves the strength of the structure. It also creates a thermal barrier which reduces heat loss from the inside of the house to the exterior. It has a high R-value–R-7 per inch. It also serves as a vapour barrier, and it is water resistant.

Cons
It is expensive when compared to batt insulation. Some of the polyurethane sheets can give off-gas. If installed inside, a fire barrier needs to be used since it is flammable.

Spray Foam

Pros
This type of insulation has a high R-value–R-6 to 8 per inch, the highest of any insulation. It also creates an air seal because as it is sprayed into the walls it expands to fill all the gaps.

Cons
It is expensive and must be professionally done.

Structured Insulated Panels (SIP)

Pros
It is an all-in-one construction because it puts insulation within wall structures. The insulation is sandwiched between structural sheets. The walls have a high insulating R-value, and all seams are sealed. SIPs are considered an eco-friendly or green option rather than the traditional frame house structure.

Cons
Using SIPs are more expensive than traditional framing and insulation. Most SIPS do not have a superior fire rating.