If this frigid winter has made you realize how hard your home is to heat, you’re not alone. A home that isn’t well insulated can leave your home drafty, your feet cold, and your power bills high. It could be that your home wasn’t insulated properly to start with. Your insulation may also have failed over time. How do you know if your home needs better insulation? Here are some signs:
- Cold floors and walls.
- Sky high power bills.
- Temperatures that vary greatly from room to room.
- Pipes that freeze often.
- Drafty spots inside your house.
Once you determine that your home needs new insulation, you’ll need to decide what type of insulation you will use.
Here are the most commonly used types:
Roll/Batt insulation. The most common types of insulation are made from fiberglass, and look like large blankets. Many have a paper or foil backing that also can act as a vapor and air barrier.
Loose fill or blow in insulation. Made of fiberglass, wool, or cellulose, this insulation is literally blown in with a machine to provide a loose covering of areas that need to be insulated.
Spray insulation. Sprayed or injected as a liquid that expands to a hard foam, this type of insulation can be used on small areas around pipes, doors and windows, and other small gaps. If used for large areas, this type of insulation must be installed by a professional.
There is no type of insulation that is best for every situation. The insulation you choose will depend on where it will be installed in your home, where you live, and your budget.
At Southside, we have a full selection of Johns Manville insulation in R values 13, 15, 19, 30, and 38. We also have cans of Great Stuff blow in insulation. And, as always, we have answers to your questions. As always, we offer you quality professional service.
