Why It Feels Great to Insulate!
Home improvement is oh-so-rewarding when you can see the results.
A remodeled kitchen makes neighbors jealous. New landscaping adds instant curb appeal. After painting your bedroom, you get to wake up to a fresh, clean look every morning.
But insulation? Not exactly thrilling to behold. Bragging to your friends that the attic has an R-Value of 60 doesn't quite measure up to showing off a sparkling new hot tub.
Insulation is one of those projects with delayed gratification; you pay now hoping to see savings in your heating and cooling bills later. Savings are the results, and if your insulation is done properly, they can add up in a hurry and allow you put in that sparkling new hot tub.
So, let's look at the basic requirements established by the Michigan Uniform Energy Code (MUEC) for your home. The standards are defined for new home construction, but there is no reason your house can't be insulated like it was built yesterday.
There is a simple standard for insulation across the country: the R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The MUEC requires the following R-Values for new home construction in this area:
- Walls: R-21
- Roof/Ceilings (Attics): R-49
- Floors over open spaces: R-21
- Crawl Space Walls: R-20
- Basement Walls: R-11
Now, if you're experiencing any of the following effects in your home, you may want to contact Hire it Done so a professional contractor can see how your insulation can be improved and solve the problems.
- Drafty rooms
- Hot or cold ceilings, walls, or whole rooms; uneven temperature between rooms
- High heating or cooling bills
- Ice dams in the winter
Different insulations have different purposes, and different homeowners have different budgets. Spray foam insulation, for instance, is a little more costly and is used mainly for smaller areas, like around a door or window frame. Before you can figure out what type of insulation is best for your situation, you need to know where the insulation is going. Determine what R-value is required in your area, how much time you can dedicate to the project, and how much money you can put toward it.
Batt insulation is the easiest to install and is naturally fire resistant. You simply unroll it, staple it into place, and cover it with a vapor shield. A vapor shield is usually a sheet of 6 mm plastic used to prevent condensation that forms in cold climates from damaging the insulation.
If fiberglass insulation gets wet, it will retain its R-value once it dries out again. These types of insulation are great because they won't settle over time. If you're looking to install insulation in a wall that has already been finished, batt insulation will require a lot of demolition.
If you're installing insulation in a previously finished wall, you may want to use blown-in insulation. This type requires the least amount of demolition—though it can be a bit costly because it's best installed in walls by a professional. A hole must be cut into your wall and the insulation blown in. The hole is then patched up and openings like doors and windows must be sealed with caulk.
If you're installing insulation in an attic, blown-in cellulose insulation is a fairly good choice. It can be any R-value you need by simply making the insulation deeper. Blown-in insulation does take a little bit of know-how and it will settle over time, so you may need to go back to add more at a later date.
Spray foam insulation has begun to be used in homes fairly recently. There are two types of spray foam insulation: open-cell and closed-cell. Closed-cell insulation typically has a higher R-value, so you get more bang for your buck. It must be said, spray foam insulation is very expensive. The product is more costly inch-for-inch, and requires installation by a professional. It's sprayed in your walls as a liquid, then expands and hardens. Spray foam insulation is great because it fills every little nook and cranny creating an airtight seal. It doesn't biodegrade, so once installed it will be there for the life of your home. It also doesn't shrink or settle.
Spray foam is a great option if you're sealing small spaces like outlets, around window frames and doorways. If you're going to install it in your walls, be prepared to pay dearly for it. This is the priciest insulation option.
Again, it goes without saying that insulation isn't the most exciting home improvement project. But when your friend is talking up his new granite countertops, maybe you can top that by telling him you just saved 15% on your heating bills by insulating your attic.
ADAM HELFMAN