10 Types of Insulation Every Homeowner Should Know

Reviewed by Kelly Bacon

Insulation is any material that can reduce heat transfer. Common options for home and commercial building projects include recycled denim, cork, fiberglass, cellulose, foam, mineral wool, cotton, straw, and sheep's wool.

Not all insulation offers the same insulating quality, so it's a good idea to learn more about how insulation works and the types of insulation to choose from. These are the 10 types of insulation every homeowner should know to make an educated decision when installing or replacing home insulation.

Insulation Basics

Before purchasing insulation for a home renovation project, consider the R-value of each product. The R-value is a measurement of resistance to heat flow, meaning that the higher the R-value of the insulation, the better it will be at reducing the flow of heat through the material.

Not every home needs insulation with the highest R-value, because some homes are located in areas that remain relatively warm or mild throughout the year. These homes should still have insulation to help keep the home cool during the hot months, but may not require insulation with the highest R-value.

• Fiberglass is a common insulation option that is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, though it's important to wear proper protective gear when handling.

• Cellulose is an insulation that is made from recycled paper products, though some manufacturers may also include borate in the formula to help prevent fires and insect infestations.

• Foam is another popular insulation type due to the ease of installation and the low cost of the material. Many DIYers choose rigid foam board insulation when renovating the home.

• Mineral wool, like rock wool or slag wool, is an insulation material that is made from a combination of natural minerals. Some types may also include slag, which is a waste product of molten metal. This composition increases the resistance to fire.

• Denim insulation is typically a recycled material that is made from old jeans and denim cotton. It's a costly option, but using recycled material helps to cut down on eco-waste.

• Natural fibers, like cotton, straw, hemp, and sheep's wool, can be used to make eco-friendly home insulation, though these materials typically need to be treated to increase the resistance to fire, mold, and insect infestations.
  

Safety Considerations

When preparing for an insulation installation, consider the potential hazards and risks of each type of material that will be in use. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, safety gloves, safety glasses, and a mask when you are working with any type of insulation.

If you are using batts, rolls, blown-in insulation, or spray foam insulation, it's necessary to open the windows and doors, as well as setting up one or more fans to ventilate the space. Otherwise, the insulation can cause irritation to the skin and airways. Additionally, the DIYer needs to be careful when working with the existing insulation.

Depending on the age of the home, there is a risk of encountering asbestos insulation. If this occurs, do not proceed with the job. Stop immediately and seek professional help from trained and licensed asbestos remediation contractors to ensure that the insulation is removed safely before the new insulation can be installed.

Concrete Block Insulation

Best for: Unfinished walls, foundation walls, new construction, and major renovations.

Concrete block insulation is a type of insulating material made of foam boards or foam beads. The boards can be placed on the outside of a concrete wall in a new construction or on the inside of the wall for an existing home. The foam beads are used in new constructions to increase the R-values of the concrete mix. This is accomplished by mixing the foam beads into the concrete.

Using concrete block insulation to insulate outside of the concrete walls helps to moderate the indoor temperatures, while using autoclaved aerated concrete or autoclaved cellular concrete can increase the insulating value of conventional concrete by up to 10 times. The drawback to concrete block insulation is that it typically requires specialized skills to install, so it isn't the best option for a DIYer.

Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Best for: Unfinished walls and foundation walls in new construction.

Similar to concrete block insulation, insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are typically installed on unfinished walls, including foundation walls. However, ICFs are only used in new constructions and cannot be used to upgrade the insulation in an existing home.

This is because ICFs are installed as a part of the building structure. The foam boards or foam blocks have cores that are generally filled with concrete, creating a high degree of thermal resistance. This also means that the insulation needs to be installed by a trained professional, so it's isn't a suitable choice for DIYers.

Blanket Batts and Rolls

Best for: Floors, ceilings, unfinished walls, and foundation walls.

Blanket batts and rolls are one of the most common options for insulating an existing home. The batts and rolls are typically made of fiberglass or mineral wool, though may also be made of plastic fibers or natural fibers, like sheep's wool.

DIYers with the proper protective equipment can install blanket batts and rolls with relative ease, making this type of insulation a go-to option for DIYers. Additionally, blanket batts and rolls tend to be less expensive than other insulation materials, reducing the strain on the renovation budget.

Reflective or Radiant Barrier Systems

Best for: Light-duty insulation of ceilings, floors, and unfinished walls.

Reflective or radiant barrier systems are an affordable type of insulation made with reflective foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, depending on the specific product. This type of insulation is thin and easy to use, so it can be installed around ventilation ducts and between wood studs, joists, rafters, and beams. It can also be applied to unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors.

DIYers can freely use reflective or radiant barrier systems to help insulate the home, but you should use this type of insulation with at least one other insulating material. This is because reflective or radiant barrier systems are not as effective as other insulation options.

Loose-Fill and Blown-in Insulation

Best for: Wall cavities, attics, and other hard-to-access locations.

Loose-fill and blown-in insulation are intended for insulating areas around the home that may have been fully or partially enclosed. This type of insulation can also be used in locations that are difficult to access because the installation procedure does not require the installer to manually add the insulation.

Blown-in insulation, as the name implies, is blown into the target cavity with special equipment carried by professionals, though it may be available for DIYers to rent. Similarly, loose-fill insulation is often poured into the enclosed or partially enclosed space to fill it will insulation. This is especially convenient for insulating irregularly shaped spaces.

Spray Foam Insulation

Best for: Enclosed existing walls, unfinished attic floors, and open new wall cavities.

Spray foam insulation is applied with a small spray container, or larger quantities can be pressure sprayed with a high-pressure spray foam applicator. The insulation is made of polyisocyanurate or polyurethane to make a cementitious or phenolic material that sticks and expands upon application.

Spray foam insulation hardens after it has expanded, so if it protrudes too much the DIYer can shave it down with a utility knife. Add spray foam insulation to enclosed walls, open cavities, unfinished attic floors, irregularly shaped spaces, and around obstructions to insulate the area.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Best for: Unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs in new construction.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are made of foam board or made be made with a liquid foam or straw insulation core depending on the product and manufacturer. This type of insulation is not suitable for DIYers because it needs to be installed during the construction of the home.

Professional installers must glue, press, and cure SIP panels properly to ensure that they don't delaminate during installation. This material is used to insulate walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs in new builds, which increases the insulation ability of the home, reducing heat transfer and lowering utility costs.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation

Best for: Exterior wall insulation, foundation walls, and attic hatches.

Rigid foam board insulation is an inexpensive material that is commonly used by DIYers to replace existing insulation. The insulation is typically made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, or polyurethane, depending on the product and manufacturer.

Rigid foam boards offer a high level of thermal resistance and help to reduce heat conduction through wood and steel studs. DIYers can use this material to insulate almost any part of the home, including exterior walls, interior walls, foundation walls, attic hatches, ceilings, and floors, though it's best for interior and exterior wall sheathing.

Rigid Fiber Board Insulation

Best for: Insulating air ducts and high-temperature locations.

Rigid fiber board insulation has a high level of heat and fire resistance, making this type of insulation ideal for insulating the air ducts in the home. HVAC companies manufacturer the duct work with rigid fiber board insulation pre-installed before the material is transported to the home or job site.

While this type of insulation doesn't get a lot of use, it does help to reduce heat transfer through the heat and cooling system, which ultimately leads to lower utility costs. However, it must be installed by a trained professional, so it isn't the right option for DIYers.

Recycled and Eco-Conscious Insulation

Best for: Sustainability, eco-friendly construction, and waste reduction.

There are several materials that can be consider recycled or eco-conscious insulation, including recycled denim, sheep's wool, cork, and cellulose. Recycled and natural products help to reduce the ecological impact and waste created by the construction industry.

These insulation materials are available in a variety of forms, including batts, rolls, and loose-fill. However, the drawback to taking the eco-conscious route is that most of these materials tend to be more expensive than alternative insulating options.

Choosing Insulation

When it comes time to select a type of insulation for the home, it's a good idea to first consider where the insulation will be installed. Insulating the attic, outer walls, and crawl space is the most important because these areas experience the highest heat transfer. Similarly, the water heater, water pipes, and air conditioning vents should be insulated to reduce heat loss, vibration, and condensation formation.

The installation process affects the type of insulation that is available for the job. If the home is still in construction, then materials like SIPs, ICFs, and concrete block insulation are potential options, but if you are renovating an existing home, then you may be limited to DIY-friendly materials. This includes batts, rolls, radiant barriers, loose-fill, blown-in, spray foam, rigid foam, and recycled insulation materials. Consider the needs of the home before choosing the best insulation material to complete the project.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.