How to Determine What Kind Of Insulation Is In Your Walls

Brief 

If you are doing a renovation project or thinking about adding more insulation, you may be unsure what type of buy. You can determine what type of insulation you have by learning a bit about the most common types used in residential properties.

Insight 

Many people don’t think about the insulation in their homes until there is a draft or energy bills start to rise. Proper insulation can help reduce energy loss, ensure floors aren’t cold, and prevent ice dams in your roof, according to RetroFoam.

So, what is insulation? Insulation is any type of material used to insulate a building. It’s like a blanket placed around the interior structure of the home to keep treated air (cool air in the summer and hot air in the winter) in the space longer. Adding more insulation could reduce the amount of work your home’s heating and cooling system has to do to keep you comfortable.

If you are doing a renovation project or thinking about adding more insulation, you may be unsure what type of buy. You can determine what type of insulation you have by learning a bit about the most common types used in residential properties.

Blanket insulation

Blanket insulation in rolls or batts is a common type of insulation. Typically made of fiberglass, mineral, plastic, or natural fibers, it’s often found in the foundation walls, ceilings, and floors. This material is typically in a sheet or a roll and looks like a fluffy foam material that’s often pink in color. The roll is typically 6 to 12 inches thick, though it may vary.

Blanket insulation is not difficult to place since it sits between the studs in a wall or between the joists of a flooring system. Most often, the installer cuts it to size to create a snug fit in each of these spaces. Typically, it has R-values that range from R-2.9 to R-3.8, depending on the type selected, per Windows on Washington.