Spray foam insulation functions by expanding into a liquid that hardens into a solid foam.
Category: Insulation
This section provides practical information on various methods to improve the thermal efficiency of a home. Readers can find details on the differences between spray foam, fiberglass, and blown in materials. The content explains how specific products work in different areas of a building such as attics, walls, and crawl spaces. It also covers temporary solutions for windows and information on the differences between open cell and closed cell applications. These articles help homeowners understand how to stop drafts and keep indoor temperatures stable throughout the seasons. The information is organized by the specific area of the house or the type of material being used. You can find guides on high level insulation for roofs and ceilings alongside technical details on rigid foam boards and loose fill. There are also practical guides for projects that can be completed with a kit versus tasks that require professional installation. Each article describes the physical properties of the materials and provides instructions on how to apply them safely. This structure allows you to find answers based on your specific renovation goals or current home needs.
Attic insulation: how much you need, what types exist and why it is the first place to look for savings
Attic insulation requirements are determined by the local climate zone and the specific R-value standard for your region.
Wall insulation: how it works in new and existing walls and which options suit each situation
Wall insulation works by creating a thermal barrier that slows heat transfer through building materials.
Window insulation: ways to stop drafts and heat loss without replacing the windows
Window insulation is achieved by applying secondary barriers like shrink film or weatherstripping to existing frames.
Foam board insulation: what rigid panels are, the types and where in a house they work well
Foam board insulation is a rigid, cellular material that traps air to resist heat flow.
Spray foam insulation kits: what a DIY kit can seal and when the job is better left to a pro
A spray foam insulation kit is for sealing small gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s envelope.
Blown in insulation: how loose fill goes into an attic or wall and when it beats batts
Blown-in insulation is delivered through a high-powered blower machine that forces loose material into cavities.
Window insulation kit: how shrink film seals a drafty window for winter and how to put it up
A window insulation kit creates an airtight barrier by using heat to shrink a plastic film tight against the window frame.
Crawl space insulation: whether to insulate the walls or the floor above and how to control moisture
Crawl space insulation is most effective when installed on the walls and ceiling of the crawl space itself. This applies to homes with a dry, ventilated subfloor.
Fiberglass insulation: what it is made of, how it performs and what to wear when handling it
Fiberglass insulation is made of extremely fine glass fibers woven into a fibrous mat.
Batt insulation: how batts and rolls work, what the facing means and how to fit them without gaps
Batt insulation is pre-cut material sold in large blocks or rolls that traps air to slow heat transfer.
Foam pipe insulation: how sleeves protect pipes from freezing and heat loss and how to size and fit them
Foam pipe insulation is a barrier that prevents thermal transfer between the fluid inside a pipe and the outside air.
R value of attic insulation: what the number means, how climate sets it and how much depth you need
R-value attic insulation is a measure of thermal resistance, which indicates how well a material slows heat flow.
R13 insulation: where it is used, what thickness it needs and how it compares with higher r values
R13 insulation is used primarily in wood-framed walls and requires a thickness of three and a half inches.
How to install insulation: safe prep, cutting, fitting and sealing for walls, floors and attics
Install insulation by filling structural cavities with thermal barriers like fiberglass batts or spray foam.
Foil insulation: how reflective barriers work, where they help and where they do little
Foil insulation is a radiant barrier that reflects heat radiation away from a surface.
Floor joist insulation: how to insulate between joists over a crawl space or garage and keep it from sagging
Floor joist insulation is fiberglass batt or mineral wool installed between the structural members.
Attic baffles for insulation: what they do, where they go and how they keep airflow open under the roof
Attic baffles insulation are channels that maintain a clear path for air to flow from the soffits to the ridge vent.
Bubble wrap window insulation: how the trick works, how to apply it and how long it lasts
Bubble wrap window insulation is a thermal barrier that uses trapped air pockets to reduce heat transfer.
R19 insulation: where it fits, what thickness it takes and when a higher r value is worth it
R19 insulation is a thermal resistance rating typically achieved with fiberglass batts at a thickness of 6.25 inches.