Here’s How To Choose The Right Insulation For Your New Orleans Home
When it comes to insulating your home there are several different options.
Choosing the right option depends as much on where you reside as it does on your budget, your need for soundproofing, the temperature of the area you live in and whether or not you’re rebuilding or renovating.
This article addresses some of the information you need when planning to insulate your home in New Orleans.
Types of insulation
Fiberglass is a popular type of insulation which comes in rolls or batts of various lengths and thicknesses.
This type of insulation fits in unfinished walls or ceilings between studs and is often the cheapest type of insulation per square foot.
Fiberglass is resistant to fire and moisture but be careful when working with this product because when handled it sheds tiny fibers that can irritate your eyes or skin.
Spray foam insulation is also becoming increasingly popular for its ability to fill in touch nook and crannies spaces and provide high insulating value in new home builds.
This product is sprayed into cavities in the wall and ceiling, where it expands. This is then cut to create a smooth surface, which has the advantage of providing an air barrier. It is available in two options: cell open and cell closed.
Open-cell spray foam does not stop water vapor, but closed-cell foam will stop water vapor. Using off-the-shelve products, you can insulate small spaces like around doors or windows but bigger jobs require an expert.
Does Your Home Need Insulation?
Insulation cannot be seen unlike home decor, so how it looks isn’t very important.
You should be conscious, though, that this is one of the key ways that you should invest in your home.
By insulating your house, you reduce your energy costs, soundproof your house, make it fire resistant and improve the structure of your house that can come in handy in the event of earthquakes.
As you can see, there are many reasons why it’s a good idea to invest in home insulation and once you decide that your home needs isolation, you have to get the right insulation that’s going to be right for your home. Here are some factors that will help you make a faster and easier decision:
Soundproofing
Spray foam insulation is one way of managing indoor and outdoor climate as well as providing acoustic benefits. But if soundproofing is all you want, secondary glazing, particularly if done by a professional, is another way you can soundproof your home and minimize the noisy noises that come from outside.
R-Value
According to the Energy Star website, where you live in the USA determines the minimum R-value you need.
For example, if you live in Texas, an R-value of 13 to 19 might be ok for your floor, but in places like New Orleans, the Energy Department recommends attic insulation between R-49 and R-60.
Such an option requires spray form insulation as this will provide top value for your dollar.
Moisture management
Controlling the natural moisture that reaches your walls, when it is humid from outside your home, and when it is not from inside your home, is important to help minimize the risk of mold growth and mildew.
And when you’re protecting against mold and mildew, you’ll also help ensure a healthier indoor atmosphere for your family and help protect your home from potential rot damage.
Already, we have pointed out that open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation are suitable for internal and external walls respectively when it comes to moisture control.
The key to getting the best results for this purpose is to hire only professionals when looking for reliable open cell vs closed cell insulation services in New Orleans.
DIY or professional?
Simple spaces such as window and door frames are great for homeowners who are okay working with off the shelf products and want to insulate as a DIY project, but if you can’t make up your mind about what you need for insulation or if you plan to insulate an attic, need a full insulation replacement or want the benefit of complete spray foam, you’ll need a professional for the job.
Be sure to only look for companies focusing primarily on insulation and always asking about recommended R-value.
Knowing what forms are available and having a good starting point for their estimated costs; you can prevent overpaying for insulation.
Wrapping up
After reading this post, we hope that you are able to consider insulating your home by picking the right types and knowing the product that will keep you as safe as possible and keep your bills lower. You’ll not regret it at all when it comes to investing in insulation.
