When determining what is the best house insulation, carrying out an examination of where you are most likely to lose heat, and knowing the types of insulation and R values is important. This will reveal where you need better insulation, then you can decide what is best house insulation to suit your particular applications.
This will be based on the highest R-value insulation, within your budget as generally the higher the R-value, the more costly the insulation, paying that little bit extra for the best house insulation will be cheaper in the long run.
To find out what is the best insulation for a house involves understanding the types of insulation available for the parts of a house and understanding R values.
We lose a lot of heat through inadequate insulation in our houses, mainly through the floor, walls, windows and loft space.
The “R” value of the insulation will give you it’s rating. The R-value is the insulation’s capacity to stop heat from flowing through it, the higher the R-value the better the insulation.
This is an article on house insulation, in particular, examining the best insulation for a house, and we begin with R values and then discuss the types of insulation in four main areas of the house.
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Below is a table indicating the areas of the house that require insulation, against the recommended R values of the insulation type for homes. Areas of the house where insulation is required due to heat loss are also shown in the sketches.
This is supplied in a roll and in widths suitable to be fitted between the joists on the attic floor, the roll is cut to length and available in different thicknesses and R values. Fiberglass is made from recycled ground, spun glass or rocks. Good quality fiberglass insulation will have an R-value of 3.0/inch thickness.
The R-value for loose fill attic insulation is 3.3/inch thickness and is laid between the attic joists.
External wall insulation is carried out using insulating boards that are attached to the walls. The R values of the boards are between 4.0/inch thickness and 6.0/inch thickness.
Internal insulation usually involves removal of plasterboard from the walls. The foam is then applied between the wall studs. Once completed new plasterboard is fitted. Polyurethane has the highest R-value of internal wall insulation being between 4.0 and 6.5/inch thickness.
Window replacement is probably the most expensive of the insulating measures we have examined, and a few types are shown below:
A good quality double glazed window will have an R-value of 3.3.
To determine what is the best insulation for a house, it is important to know the R-values and to investigate the various components where loss of heat is suspected. Safety is important when handling insulation, especially underfloor and loft insulation, as insulation can cause serious skin irritation, eye irritation and damage to lungs. Disposable white paper suits, eye protection, gloves and a breathing mask should, therefore, be worn when working near insulation.
