hen 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.

Installing Insulation
The maximum thermal performance or R-value of insulation is very
dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some
types of insulation -- notably blankets, boards, and materials that
can be poured in place. (Liquid foam insulation materials can be
poured, but they require professional installation). Other types
require professional installation.

When hiring a professional certified installer:

 Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the

R-value you need, and don't be surprised if quoted prices for a
given R-value installation vary by more than a factor of two.
 Ask contractors about their experience in installing the product
you are considering. The application can significantly impact
the insulation’s performance.
 Ask contractors about their air-sealing services and costs as
well, because it’s a good idea to seal air leaks before installing
insulation.

To evaluate blanket installation, you can measure batt thickness

and check for gaps between batts as well as between batts and
framing. In addition, inspect insulation for a tight fit around building
components that penetrate the insulation, such as electrical boxes.
To evaluate sprayed or blown-in types of insulation, measure the
depth of the insulation and check for gaps in coverage.

If you choose to install the insulation yourself, follow the

manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions carefully and
check local building and fire codes. Do-it-yourself instructions are
available from the fiberglass and mineral wool trade group.
The cellulose trade group recommends hiring a professional, but if
there isn’t a qualified installer in your area or you feel comfortable
taking on the job, you may be able to find guidance from
manufacturers.

The table below provides an overview of most available insulation

materials, how they are installed, where they're typically installed,
and their advantages.

Types of Insulation
WHERE INSTALLATION
TYPE MATERIAL ADVANTAGES
APPLICABLE METHODS
Fiberglass Do-it-yourself.
Unfinished
Mineral (rock or walls, including Suited for standard
Blanket:
slag) wool foundation walls Fitted between studs, stud and joist spacing
batts and
joists, and beams. that is relatively free
rolls
Plastic fibers Floors and from obstructions.
ceilings Relatively
Natural fibers inexpensive.
Insulating cores
increases wall R-
value.
Foam board, to be
Unfinished Insulating outside of
placed on outside of
walls, including concrete block wall
Concrete wall (usually new Require specialized
foundation walls places mass inside
block construction) or skills
conditioned space,
insulation inside of wall
New which can moderate
(existing homes): Insulating concrete
construction or indoor temperatures.
and blocks are sometimes
major
insulating Some manufacturers stacked without mortar
renovations Autoclaved aerated
concrete incorporate foam (dry-stacked) and
concrete and
blocks beads or air into the surface bonded.
Walls (insulating autoclaved cellular
concrete mix to
concrete blocks) concrete masonry
increase R-values
units have 10 times
the insulating value
of conventional
concrete.
Foam Polystyrene Unfinished Interior applications: High insulating value
board or walls, including must be covered with for relatively little
rigid foam Polyisocyanurate foundation walls 1/2-inch gypsum thickness.
board or other
Floors and building-code Can block thermal
 WHERE INSTALLATION
TYPE MATERIAL ADVANTAGES
APPLICABLE METHODS
approved material for
fire safety.
ceilings short circuits when
Polyurethane
installed continuously
Exterior applications:
Unvented low- over frames or joists.
Phenolic must be covered with
slope roofs
weatherproof facing.
Installed as part of the
Unfinished building
Insulating Insulation is literally
walls, including structure. Cores in the
concrete Foam boards or built into the home's
foundation walls blocks are typically
forms foam blocks walls, creating high
for new filled with concrete to
(ICFs) thermal resistance.
construction create the structural
component of the wall.
Enclosed
existing wall or
Cellulose open new wall Good for adding
Blown into place using
cavities insulation to existing
Loose-fill special equipment and,
Fiberglass finished areas,
and blown- although not
Unfinished attic irregularly shaped
in recommended,
Mineral (rock or floors areas, and around
sometimes poured in.
slag) wool obstructions.
Other hard-to-
reach places
Do-it-yourself.

Suitable for framing

at standard spacing.

Bubble-form suitable
Foil-faced kraft
Foils, films, or papers if framing is irregular
paper, plastic film, Unfinished
Reflective fitted between wood- or if obstructions are
polyethylene walls, ceilings,
system frame studs, joists, present.
bubbles, or and floors
rafters, and beams.
cardboard
Most effective at
preventing downward
heat flow,
effectiveness depends
on spacing and
number of foils.
Rigid Fiberglass Ducts in HVAC contractors Can withstand high
fibrous or unconditioned fabricate the insulation temperatures.
fiber Mineral (rock or spaces into ducts either at
insulation slag) wool their shops or at the
 WHERE INSTALLATION
TYPE MATERIAL ADVANTAGES
APPLICABLE METHODS
Other places
requiring
insulation that
job sites.
can withstand
high
temperatures
Enclosed
Cementitious
existing wall Applied using small Good for adding
Sprayed spray containers or in insulation to existing
Phenolic
foam and Open new wall larger quantities as a finished areas,
foamed-in- cavities pressure sprayed irregularly shaped
Polyisocyanurate
place (foamed-in-place) areas, and around
Unfinished attic product. obstructions.
Polyurethane
floors
SIP-built houses
Foam board or provide superior and
Unfinished
Structural liquid foam Construction workers uniform insulation
walls, ceilings,
insulated insulation core fit SIPs together to compared to more
floors, and roofs
panels form walls and roof of traditional
for new
(SIPs) Straw core a house. construction methods;
construction
insulation they also take less
time to build.

Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation

Blanket insulation -- the most common and widely available type of
insulation -- comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of
flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts
and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and
natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool. Learn more about
these insulation materials.

Batts and rolls are available in widths suited to standard spacing of

wall studs, attic trusses or rafters, and floor joists: 2 inch x 4 inch
walls can hold R-13 or R-15 batts; 2 inch x 6 inch walls can use R-
19 or R-21 products. Continuous rolls can be hand-cut and trimmed
to fit. They are available with or without facings. Manufacturers
often attach a facing (such as kraft paper, foil-kraft paper, or vinyl)
to act as a vapor barrier and/or air barrier. Batts with a special
flame-resistant facing are available in various widths for basement
walls and other places where the insulation will be left exposed. A
facing also helps facilitate handling and fastening during installation.

Work with your manufacturer and/or local building supplier to

determine actual thickness, R-value, and cost of fiberglass blankets
and batts.

Concrete Block Insulation

Concrete blocks are used to build home foundations and walls, and
there are several ways to insulate them. If the cores aren’t filled
with steel and concrete for structural reasons, they can be filled
with insulation, which raises the average wall R-value. Field studies
and computer simulations have shown, however, that core filling of
any type offers little fuel savings, because heat is readily conducted
through the solid parts of the walls.

It is more effective to install insulation over the surface of the

blocks either on the exterior or interior of the foundation walls.
Placing insulation on the exterior has the added advantage of
containing the thermal mass of the blocks within the conditioned
space, which can moderate indoor temperatures.

Some manufacturers incorporate polystyrene beads into concrete

blocks, while others make concrete blocks that accommodate rigid
foam inserts.

In the United States, two varieties of solid, precast autoclaved

concrete masonry units are now available: autoclaved aerated
concrete (AAC) and autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC). This
material contains about 80% air by volume and has been commonly
used in Europe since the late 1940s. Autoclaved concrete can have
up to ten times the insulating value of conventional concrete. The
blocks are large, light, and easily sawed, nailed, and shaped with
ordinary tools. The material absorbs water readily, so it requires
protection from moisture. Precast ACC uses fly ash instead of high-
silica sand, which distinguishes it from AAC. Fly ash is a waste ash
produced from burning coal in electric power plants.
Hollow-core units made with a mix of concrete and wood chips are
also available. They are installed by stacking the units without using
mortar (dry-stacking) and filling the cores with concrete and
structural steel. One potential problem with this type of unit is that
the wood is subject to the effects of moisture and insects.

Concrete block walls are typically insulated or built with insulating

concrete blocks during new home construction or major
renovations. Block walls in existing homes can be insulated from the
inside. Go to insulation materials for more information about the
products commonly used to insulate concrete block.

Foam Board or Rigid Foam

Foam boards -- rigid panels of insulation -- can be used to insulate
almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the
foundation. They are very effective in exterior wall sheathing,
interior sheathing for basement walls, and special applications such
as attic hatches. They provide good thermal resistance (up to 2
times greater than most other insulating materials of the same
thickness), and reduce heat conduction through structural elements,
like wood and steel studs. The most common types of materials
used in making foam board include polystyrene, polyisocyanurate
(polyiso), and polyurethane.

Insulating Concrete Forms

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are basically forms for poured
concrete walls, which remain as part of the wall assembly. This
system creates walls with a high thermal resistance, typically about
R-20. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they
look like traditional stick-built homes.

ICF systems consist of interconnected foam boards or interlocking,

hollow-core foam insulation blocks. Foam boards are fastened
together using plastic ties. Along with the foam boards, steel rods
(rebar) can be added for reinforcement before the concrete is
poured. When using foam blocks, steel rods are often used inside
the hollow cores to strengthen the walls.
The foam webbing around the concrete-filled cores of blocks can
provide easy access for insects and groundwater. To help prevent
these problems, some manufacturers make insecticide-treated foam
blocks and promote methods for waterproofing them. Installing an
ICF system requires an experienced contractor, available through
the Insulating Concrete Form Association.

Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation

Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or
other materials. These small particles form an insulation material
that can conform to any space without disturbing structures or
finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well
suited for retrofits and locations where it would be difficult to install
other types of insulation.

The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation

include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of
these materials are produced using recycled waste materials.
Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass
products contain 40% to 60% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually
produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content.

Some less common loose-fill insulation materials include

polystyrene beads and perlite. Loose-fill insulation can be installed
in either enclosed cavities such as walls, or unenclosed spaces such
as attics. Cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool are typically blown in
by experienced installers skilled at achieving the correct density and
R-values. Polystyrene beads, vermiculite, and perlite are typically
poured.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued the “Trade Regulation
Rule Concerning the Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation”
(16 CFR Part 460). The Commission issued the R-value Rule to
prohibit, on an industry-wide basis, specific unfair or deceptive acts
or practices. The Rule requires that manufacturers and others who
sell home insulation determine and disclose each products’ R-value
and related information (e.g., thickness, coverage area per
package) on package labels and manufacturers’ fact sheets. R-value
ratings vary among different types and forms of home insulations
and among products of the same type and form.

For loose-fill insulation, each manufacturer must determine the R-

value of its product at settled density and create coverage charts
showing the minimum settled thickness, minimum weight per
square foot, and coverage area per bag for various total R-values.

This is because as the installed thickness of loose-fill insulation

increases, its settled density also increases due to compression of
the insulation under its own weight. Thus, the R-value of loose-fill
insulation does not change proportionately with thickness. The
manufacturers’ coverage charts specify the bags of insulation
needed per square foot of coverage area; the maximum coverage
area for one bag of insulation; the minimum weight per square foot
of the installed insulation; and the initial and settled thickness of the
installed insulation needed to achieve a particular R-value.

Radiant Barriers and Reflective Insulation

Systems
Unlike most common insulation systems, which resist conductive
and convective heat flow, radiant barriers and reflective insulation
work by reflecting radiant heat. Radiant barriers are installed in
homes -- usually in attics -- primarily to reduce summer heat gain,
which helps lower cooling costs. Reflective insulation incorporates
reflective surfaces -- typically aluminum foils -- into insulation
systems that can include a variety of backings, such as kraft paper,
plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, as well as thermal
insulation materials.

Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and
heats anything solid that absorbs its energy. When the sun heats a
roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot.
A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the
roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material
then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces,
including the air ducts and the attic floor. A radiant barrier reduces
the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other
surfaces in the attic. To be effective, it must face a large air space.

Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates, especially when

cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that
radiant barriers can lower cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a
warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a
smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's
usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation.

Rigid Fiber Board Insulation

Rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation consists of either fiberglass or
mineral wool material and is primarily used for insulating air
ducts in homes. It is also used when there's a need for insulation
that can withstand high temperatures. These products come in a
range of thicknesses from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

Installation in air ducts is usually done by HVAC contractors, who

fabricate the insulation at their shops or at job sites. On exterior
duct surfaces, they can install the insulation by impaling it on weld
pins and securing with speed clips or washers. They can also use
special weld pins with integral-cupped head washers. Unfaced
boards can then be finished with reinforced insulating cement,
canvas, or weatherproof mastic. Faced boards can be installed in
the same way, and the joints between boards sealed with pressure-
sensitive tape or glass fabric and mastic.

Sprayed-Foam and Foamed-In-Place

Insulation
Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place,
injected, or poured. Foam-in-place insulation can be blown into
walls, on attic surfaces, or under floors to insulate and reduce air
leakage. Some installations can yield a higher R-value than
traditional batt insulation for the same thickness, and can fill even
the smallest cavities, creating an effective air barrier. You can use
the small pressurized cans of foam-in-place insulation to reduce air
leakage in holes and cracks, such as window and door frames, and
electrical and plumbing penetrations.

Icynene plastic insulation blown into the walls of a home

near Denver. Icynene fills cracks and crevices and adheres to
the framing.

Paul Norton, NREL

Types of Foam Insulation

Today, most foam materials use foaming agents that don't use
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
which are harmful to the earth's ozone layer.

There are two types of foam-in-place insulation: closed-cell and

open-cell. Both are typically made with polyurethane. With closed-
cell foam, the high-density cells are closed and filled with a gas that
helps the foam expand to fill the spaces around it. Open-cell foam
cells are not as dense and are filled with air, which gives the
insulation a spongy texture.
The type of insulation you should choose depends on how you will
use it and on your budget. While closed-cell foam has a greater R-
value and provides stronger resistance against moisture and air
leakage, the material is also much denser and is more expensive.
Open-cell foam is lighter and less expensive but should not be used
below ground level where it could absorb water. Consult a
professional insulation installer to decide what type of insulation is
best for you.

Other available foam insulation materials include:

 Cementitious
 Phenolic
 Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)

Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer

foam. Icynene foam can be either sprayed or injected, which makes
it the most versatile. It also has good resistance to both air and
water intrusion. Tripolymer foam—a water-soluble foam—is injected
into wall cavities. It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion.

Installation

Liquid foam insulation -- combined with a foaming agent -- can be

applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a
pressure-sprayed (foamed-in-place) product. Both types expand
and harden as the mixture cures. They also conform to the shape of
the cavity, filling and sealing it thoroughly.

Slow-curing liquid foams are also available. These foams are

designed to flow over obstructions before expanding and curing, and
they are often used for empty wall cavities in existing buildings.
There are also liquid foam materials that can be poured from a
container.

Installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special

equipment and certification and should only be done by experienced
installers. Following installation, an approved thermal barrier equal
in fire resistance to half-inch gypsum board must cover all foam
materials. Also, some building codes don't recognize sprayed foam
insulation as a vapor barrier, so installation might require an
additional vapor retarder.

Costs

Foam insulation products and installation usually cost more than

traditional batt insulation. However, foam insulation has higher R-
values and forms an air barrier, which can eliminate some of the
other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as
caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints.
When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help
reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors,
which saves money.

Structural Insulated Panels

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated
structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and
roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to
more traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"),
offering energy savings of 12% to 14%. When installed properly,
SIPs also result in a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house
energy efficient, quieter, and more comfortable.

SIPs not only have high R-values but also high strength-to-weight
ratios. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch-thick foam board
insulation sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board
(OSB) or other structural facing materials. Manufacturers can
usually customize the exterior and interior sheathing materials to
meet customer requirements. The facing is glued to the foam core,
and the panel is then either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond
the sheathing and core together.

SIPs can be produced in various sizes or dimensions. Some

manufacturers make panels as large as 8 by 24 feet, which require
a crane to erect.

The quality of SIP manufacturing is very important to the long life

and performance of the product. The panels must be glued,
pressed, and cured properly to ensure that they don't delaminate.
The panels also must have smooth surfaces and square edges to
prevent gaps from occurring when they're connected at the job site.
Before purchasing SIPs, ask manufacturers about their quality
control and testing procedures and read and compare warranties
carefully. SIPs are available with different insulating materials,
usually polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam.

Installation

SIPs are made in a factory and shipped to job sites. Builders then
connect them together to construct a house. For an experienced
builder, a SIPs home goes up much more quickly than other homes,
which saves time and money without compromising quality. These
savings can help offset the usually higher cost of SIPs.

Many SIP manufacturers also offer "panelized housing kits." The

builder need only assemble the pre-cut pieces, and additional
openings for doors and windows can be cut with standard tools at
the construction site.

When installed according to manufacturers' recommendations, SIPs

meet all building codes and pass the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) standards of safety.

Areas of Concern

Fire safety is a concern, but when the interior of the SIP is covered
with a fire-rated material, such as gypsum board, it protects the
facing and foam long enough to give building occupants a chance to
escape.

As in any house, insects and rodents can be a problem. In a few

cases, insects and rodents have tunneled throughout the SIPs, and
some manufacturers have issued guidelines for preventing these
problems, including:

 Applying insecticides to the panels

 Treating the ground with insecticides both before and after
initial construction and backfilling
 Maintaining indoor humidity levels below 50%
  Locating outdoor plantings at least two feet (0.6 meters) away
from the walls
 Trimming any over-hanging tree limbs.

Boric acid-treated insulation panels are also available. These panels

deter insects, but are relatively harmless to humans and pets.

Because it can be very airtight, a well-built SIP structure may

require controlled fresh-air ventilation for safety, health, and
performance, and to meet many building codes. A well-designed,
installed, and properly operated mechanical ventilation system can
also help prevent indoor moisture problems, which is important for
achieving the energy-saving benefits of a SIP structure.