What Are the Different Types of Insulation?
There are several different types of insulation, and a professional insulation contractor will be able to tell you which type is best for your home and specific situation. Loose-fill (blown-in) is very common, but there are different types of insulation for many different areas of a home—and different materials as well.
Whether you need attic insulation, crawl space insulation or office building wall insulation, there is a material that works for your project.
Different Types of Insulation: Form
- Loose-fill / blown-in
- Batts and rolls / blanket
- Foam or rigid board
- Reflective
Loose-Fill/Blown-In Insulation
Loose-fill or blown-in insulation is one of the most common types of insulation and works exactly how it sounds. It is blown into a wall cavity or designated space using special equipment. Loose-fill insulation is used for:
- Open new wall cavities
- Enclosed existing walls
- Unfinished attic floors and walls
- Areas that are hard to reach
Batts and Rolls Insulation
Also known as blanket insulation, batts and rolls insulation is ideal for spaces that are free of obstructions. It sort of resembles a blanket and is laid out flat and fitted between joists, studs, and beams. Blanket insulation can be used for floors, ceilings, and unfinished walls.
Rigid Foam Board Insulation
This type of insulation is typically used by builders and not for re-insulating a home. Usually made out of polyurethane, rigid board insulation is ideal for new construction projects, particularly unfinished walls and unvented roofs.
Reflective Insulation
Typically installed in attic ceilings under the roof, reflective insulation works like it sounds. It helps your home reflect heat from the sun rather than absorb it. Reflective insulation, whether foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, is fitted between studs, joists, and beams.
Different Types of Insulation: Materials
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is made out of tiny fibers of glass that trap hot air – it’s the fluffy pink insulation you’ve undoubtedly seen before. Fiberglass insulation can be either blown-in / loose-fill or a blanket system, great for all different types of areas, from the attic to the exterior walls.
Cellulose Insulation
One of the most environmentally friendly types of insulation on the market, cellulose is made of up to 80 percent recycled material, mostly tiny bits of newspaper. Like fiberglass, cellulose insulation works well in all types of areas and is ideal for soundproofing.
Radiant Barrier Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation is installed in the attic and is a common type of reflective insulation. It keeps your home more comfortable when it’s hot outside. Homes with radiant barrier insulation are most often cooler than homes with no attic insulation!
Foam Insulation
Rigid board is available as a foam panel that can be cut, and the panels vary in thickness and width. Rigid board insulation is usually installed in new homes and can help maximize energy efficiency.
Different Types of Insulation: Locations
Attic Insulation
If you fail to install attic or loft insulation, your home—particularly the second story—will be much hotter and more uncomfortable in the summer. Insulation or reinsulating your attic helps reduce your utility bills, give your home more consistent temperatures throughout, reduce noises on different levels inside, and contribute to a healthier indoor air quality inside your home.
Wall Insulation
When it comes to home insulation, your walls are some of the best places to insulate. When it comes to insulating walls, there are a couple things to keep in mind: Exterior wall insulation and interior wall insulation are essential to maximizing your home’s energy efficiency and muffling noises from both outside and inside, between different rooms and levels.
Crawl Space Insulation
For such a small area, a crawl space can have a big huge impact on your home’s energy efficiency if not properly insulated. No matter what type of crawl space you have and what material you use, you’ll notice the difference crawl space insulation can make.
Floor Insulation
Subflooring and floors over garages should be insulated. Heat enters and escapes buildings through the flooring, so installing insulation is extremely important. Make sure your floors are well insulated so you can help maximize energy savings and year-round comfort.
Ceiling Insulation
Whether you want to add additional soundproofing and insulation between levels or you need to add a barrier between the attic and the rest of the house, ceiling insulation is a smart choice.
Insulation Contractors in Washington, DC and Maryland
Accurate Insulation can install fiberglass, cellulose, rigid board, and radiant barrier insulation in your DC area home. Feel free to contact us for an estimate or if you want to learn more about the different types of insulation!
