No matter where you are in the country, and what temperatures your area gets, your home needs to have proper insulation.
Without it, the cost to heat and cool your home will skyrocket, and you will be wasting energy with that overworked heating and cooling system. In fact, if you don’t have insulation in your home, it is automatically against code!
You may be thinking to yourself right now: “why are we talking about insulation? Isn’t this a roofing company?”
Well, to us roofing contractors, having quality insulation is extremely important. That is because having proper insulation prevents roof damage, and will save you a lot of money down the road because you won’t need any premature roof repairs.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of insulation, and which types we know will be best for your home or your business.
This information is important for you to be aware of so that you and your family can feel safe in your home.
Now, let’s get into some key facts about the main types of attic insulation!
Types of Attic Insulation
- Foam
- There are two types of foam: injection foam and spray foam. Most roofing companies use spray foam, as it is easier for contractors to install. The benefits of spray foam are its high thermal resistance and high-quality soundproofing. This is a great option for those who want to help the environment and save on their energy bills. They also really get into the nooks and crannies of your entire attic and expand up to 500 times their original size. It also is by far the most popular type of insulation.
- Fiberglass
- Fiberglass is also great for soundproofing and being environmentally friendly, but what makes it stand out is that it is not a fire hazard at all unlike the other types of insulation. It is the least expensive option, which does make it not as effective as the other options.
- ISO
- Polyisocyanurate, which most people call ISO, is essentially foam board insulation. The boards are sealed together very tightly, so that prevents any moisture from getting trapped. They are made from recycled materials, and therefore have the lowest environmental impact. And, they are easy to install.
- XPS
- Another insulation name that is quite the mouthful is Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, more commonly known as XPS. Or, as most people call it: styrofoam. They’re also on panels like ISO and have great thermal conductivity. They aren’t as environmentally friendly, but this insulation does last a long time.
- EPS
- Lastly, this type of insulation is really similar to XPS. It is called Expanded Polystyrene Insulation, or EPS. It is a cheaper version of XPS, and the boards are smaller, so they aren’t as good of quality, but they are a decent affordable option.
In Summary
Overall, these are all really solid choices of insulation for your home. However, the best way to ensure that you are making the right choice for insulating your attic is by discussing it with a trustworthy roofing contractor. An experienced roofing contractor will be aware of all of your needs, such as budget and how much maintenance your insulation will require throughout the years.
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