There are more than three insulation methods available in the market, but sprayed, batts and blown methods are the most commonly used. Before insulation begins, ensure that you have properly sealed any air leakages. If you decide to use insulating material that is permeable to air, you will have a problem with energy efficiency, air quality, and general comfort in the house.
Let us look at the following insulation options:
Batts:
Batts are made of long fibers that are interwoven with adhesive binders to form large insulation pieces. There are two common types of batts, cotton, and fiberglass. Both types of batts are the same when it comes to the quality of insulation. The only difference is in the material they are made of.
One major challenge with batts is that they do not fit well in spaces. For an insulation material to work well, it needs to fill the entire space without leaving gaps, compression, or voids. Another challenge is that the insulation will compete for space with materials like frames, electric junction boxes, wires, lights, and exhaust fans.
Sprayed:
Spray foam is also a great insulation method that is available in both open and closed cell. Each cell has its pros and cons, together with different adherent options. The primary benefit of using spray foam is that it allows you to move from a conditioned space to an unconditioned space; meaning, you can move from the floor of the attic to the line of the roof.
Homes that have spray foam insulation are among the most comfortable and the most efficient homes. The major disadvantage of the spray foam is that is it costly. It is ideally 3-4 times more than the cost of blown fiberglass or cellulose.
Blown:
This type of insulation comes in smaller chunks. For a professional installer, the individual will hold a large hose and use a blower to spread the chunks in the attic. The hose is connected to a large machine that is churning the chunks to be used for insulation.
The two primary options are cellulose and fiberglass, both of which have their own pros and cons. The difference between these two insulators is in their properties as cellulose is made from recycled cardboard and newspapers, while fiberglass is made from sand.
This method does not allow any gaps to be left behind because blown insulation is good at completely covering the surface area. The below infographic by Attic Insulation Toronto gives the importance of Attic Insulation.
To select the right option for your home, consult a professional who can inspect your attic and propose the best option for you. Always remember to go for a good option that will benefit you in the long run.
