Insulation

When insulating your home, you can choose from many types of insulation. To choose the best type of insulation, you should first determine the following:

Where you want or need to install/add insulation
The recommended R-values for areas you want to insulate.

We use many types of insulation, including spray foam, styrofoam board, fiberglass and cellulose. Each of these has its place in the weatherization of homes, but the most suitable for general use is cellulose. It yields better energy savings than fiberglass, and better fire resistance. It is the most resistant to mold, rot, insect and rodent infestation. It also is the greenest product available. It is the most cost effective insulation for existing walls and attics.

The areas most susceptible to energy loss and moisture damage are often the ones you no longer see after a home is built. The rim joist, also known as a band joist, is a perfect example. It should be insulated to achieve the same R-value as the exterior walls. The seal between the plate and the concrete foundation should also be sealed. The best solution for this problem is spray polyurethane foam. This is a closed-cell foam that provides good insulation and great air-sealing at the same time.