What Insulation should I use on my next project

I don’t believe there is one type of insulation better than another; however there are some insulation types better suited for specific projects.

For example Batt Insulation is easy to handle and just about anyone can install it themselves without the use of special tools and equipment. Its versatile, inexpensive, but isn’t the best for filling all those hard to get at gaps.

That is where Blown Insulation holds a big advantage. Blown insulation is usually made up of fiberglass or Cellulose. Both products do a great job in attics, especially cellulose because it’s finer giving you higher R-values, increased safety when treated with borax and it’s made of recycled newspaper....making cellulose a Green choice.

Then you have Spray Foam Insulation. A product that gives you high R-Values per inch and is also a very effective Vapour Barrier! Spray foam is best used in hard to seal areas like rim joists because it is so hard to get a perfect seal with just poly and acoustic seal (the traditional way of sealing a rim joist). Another place I like to use spray foam is when you have a scenario where you need to get a high R-Value in a small space. Unfortunately spray foam is more expensive to have applied than Batt insulation, Blown insulation or Reflective Foil Insulation, but it makes up for it and then some when needed.

Last but not least Reflective Foil Insulation. Used and designed by the NASA space program reflective foil insulation was not designed to saturate heat, (R-value is a measurement of how much heat a sample of insulation can hold or saturate) but to reflect heat. Reflective Foil Insulation also called a Radiant Barrier when made and applied correctly will block 97% of all radiant heat. This is a huge factor in warm, multi climactic places like the Okanagan. The sky is the limit with this product when it comes to applications.

So now that you know a little about these products maybe you can decide which is best for your next project.

Terry Laurin
http://www.tlces.com/

250-215-8020
“Helping you become Energy Efficient”