While installing insulation in your home is not simple, it is also not impossible with sufficient knowledge and persistence. Most probably, insulation is the very least aspect anyone will ever consider when it comes to the functionality and usefulness of their home. However, it shouldn’t be the case. Did you know that there are several benefits when it comes to insulation? For instance, it reduces energy costs, maintains a consistent temperature throughout your home, and muffles outside noises, making your home more pleasant and fostering a healthier interior atmosphere. Let’s go through several techniques for insulating four areas of your house, specifically the walls, the attic, the flooring, and the pipes.
INSULATING THE WALLS
Approximately one-third of the heat that exits an uninsulated home can flow through walls. As per studies, resistance to heat flow, more commonly known as the R-value, of a wall will be decreased by 20% if 5% of it is left uninsulated. As such, it is a great spot to start insulating. The following steps can be considered to improve the R-value of your walls at home.
- From every angle, fill the stud cavity. To reduce uncertainty when insulating walls manufactured using 92-5/8-inch-long conventional studs, consider purchasing and installing pre-cut fiberglass batts that are 93 inches long and 15 inches in width. Trim the batts 1 inch taller and broader than the cavity you’re going to fill when you need to custom-cut them at wall edges as well as other locations.
- Divide your insulation by 50 percent, placing one half in front of the wires and the other half in the back. Insulation loses R-value when compressed.
- As opposed to compressing it, the batt should be notched surrounding electrical boxes. The cutout should then be tucked beneath the box. Insulate just the cooler area of the pipe to avoid potential frozen pipes.
INSULATING THE ATTIC
A poorly insulated home may be releasing up to 25% of its heat via the roof, similar to how we waste heat from the top of our heads. Hence, limiting heat loss and lowering your heating costs can be accomplished simply and effectively by insulating your loft, attic, or roof.
If your loft is accessible and free of moisture or dampness, it should be simple to insulate, and if you consider yourself a handyman, you may be able to do it yourself. This can be achieved by applying the first layer of insulation between the joists, the horizontal beams that make up the loft floor, using sheets of mineral wool insulation. The appropriate thickness of insulation is then added by installing a second layer at an inclination to enclose the joists.
INSULATING THE FLOORS
If you reside in a property, insulating your main floor is a remarkable means of keeping your home warm. The first step that you need to consider is to determine the nature of your flooring. The ground floor of many recent residences is composed of concrete. When it needs to be changed, you may either lay stiff insulation boards on top or insulate it beforehand. Hardwood or cantilevered timber floors are more prevalent in older dwellings. Mineral wool insulation can be used to insulate timber floors by lowering the floorboards and placing it there while holding it with mesh inserted in between joists.
INSULATING THE PIPES
The cheapest and easiest method of pipe insulation is to simply select the proper size hot water cylinder jacket from your neighborhood retailer and wrap it around the hot water pipes. Radiator reflector panels are another excellent, affordable choice if you’re seeking to save money on your heating costs and lower your energy use. Instead of letting heat escape via an exterior wall, these panels are attached behind your radiators to reflect heat into space.
From this article, I am confident that you’ve already thought about insulating your homes. Although this may cost you an arm and a leg, it is an investment that will pay off in the long run by giving you a lot of comfort. But fret no more, iFoam can offer you the high-quality installation you require at a reasonable cost.