Did you know that you could be losing money every minute of every day if you have poor insulation? You lose money during the winter when heated air slips through the cracks into the cold, and during the summer when cool, fresh air is replaced by hot, muggy air from outside. It happens so slowly and incrementally that you won’t notice, anywhere but your energy bill that is.
It’s not just about having poor quality insulation. You could also be losing money if you have the wrong type. We’ll help you figure out what kind of insulation fits your needs and the areas in your home that need it most.
R-Value
Insulation’s R-Value indicates how well it resists heat transfer, based on type, density, and thickness. The higher the R-Value, the better it performs. Homes require different R-Value insulation depending on the region of the country you’re in.
Chicagoland falls into Category 2, meaning the roof should be insulated with R49, the walls should be insulated with R22, and the floors should be insulated with R25.
Where to Insulate
- Attic
Because warm air rises, most heated air is lost through the attic. With poor insulation in the attic, all the heated air in the house is sucked out the top, like a chimney. Insulation in attics should be at least 19 inches deep. If you’re short on insulation in the attic, add more.
- Basement
Check basement walls for drafts. If you feel warm air from outside, add more insulation.
- Crawlspace
The ground should be lined with a 6mm polyethylene sheet of foam board insulation.
- Exterior walls and floors
Kill the electricity at the circuit breaker and remove the electrical outlet cover. If you feel a draft, you need more insulation.
- Garage
Check for drafts between garage and the outside.
Types of Insulation
- Spray foam
Excellent for filling small gaps and cracks around doors, pipes, windows, and vents. Once it dries, it can be sanded down or painted to blend in.
- Foam board
These boards can go pretty much anywhere they’re needed, from the foundation up to the roof. Especially good for medium-sized areas that need extra protection.
- Rolls
These cover large areas between studs and joints. Good for lining the floors or ceilings of an attic or basement.
- Batts
Good for floors, walls, attics, and ceilings, Batts are precut sections of insulation. Good for placing between beams.
- Loose fill
For hard-to-reach cavities that require insulation, loose fill is ideal. Also good for filling a nasty, buggy crawlspace you don’t feel like entering.
Remember to check the R-Value!
For any other interior or exterior projects, call or email us at Bauer Construction. We do it all, from remodeling to handyman work. Call 847-553-5331 and ask for Jeff, or shoot us an email at JBauerBuilt@gmail.com