Although spray foam insulation may be among the more expensive insulation alternatives, what you receive for the price is a surprisingly impressive array of benefits. These benefits include:
- High R-value density
- capabilities for soundproofing capabilities
- fills up the entire space it’s installed
- Easy to fill in difficult-to-reach areas
- Lasts for 80plus years
However, only you as the homeowner will be able to decide whether spray foam insulation is suitable for your house and budget. Therefore, we’ll evaluate it against other types of insulation and their costs to make an informed decision.
What Happens If Your Attic is Insulated Incorrectly?
We must first be aware of the reasons why reviewing your insulation choices is crucial. A poorly-insulated attic could result in a myriad of problems which range from causing you to pay a huge bill to wood beams that are rotting. Insulation may fall, become damp from water that has been trapped or fail to perform effectively over time.
Even if your attic insulated in the past at the same time it’s crucial to determine if it’s time to be replaced. What can be the result if your home isn’t well-insulated.
Trapped Moisture, and Mold Growth
The attic’s insulation and ventilation will ensure flow of air as well as temperature control. Without it, moisture could be stuck in your attic which can lead to the growth of mold as well as mildew, wood decay or even flatten the foam insulation. insulation.
More Energy Bills
If you do not have insulation in your attic, the warmth (or cold) can easily escape from the roof of your home. This can increase your energy costs due to the fact that appliances try to regulate the temperature.
Additional Pressure to HVAC System
If you’ve purchased an energy-efficient HVAC unit however, you are at have a disadvantage in not having the right insulation with it in order for it to perform it at its highest. In order to offset the excessive energy costs your HVAC system, such as the heater as well as air cooling, will have to perform more efficiently to keep your property at the ideal temperature. This may make them require frequent repairs, and aging more quickly.
Pest Infestations
One of the lesser-known hazards of a poorly-insulated attic, is the fact that it may cause pests to make through the attic and into your home. Mice rodents, squirrels, and mice are all seeking an ideal place to build their nests and usually get into attics via tiny holes or cracks. Once they’re inside the attic, they can roam free within the walls of your home.
Recurrent Ice Dams
Ice dams develop when snow or ice at the moment that your roof is heated up melts, but it then re-freezes at the bottom instead of moving into the trenches or out of your roof. Insufficient insulation can lead to this temperature imbalance that creates the formation of ice dams. If you notice dams of ice, it could be a sign that you must upgrade the insulation in your attic or inspect your roof.
drafty spots in your home
Brr! Do you ever walk into an cold corridor or cold room on the top floor of your house? It’s probably because of inadequate insulation and a great reason to examine the insulation above the room.
Water Leaks
Water leaks can be caused by an roof issue , but it could occur due to accumulation of moisture within your attic. If you notice any water spots on your roof and attic, it’s time to investigate.
As you will observe, there are plenty of reasons to make sure your attic is adequately constructed and is in good repair. Let’s review your top alternatives to get rid of the annoying (and expensive) signs of inadequate insulation.
What makes good Insulation?
The most important factor in determining how efficient your insulation works can be determined by its R value. R-values determine the efficiency of insulation with regard to heat flow. The more R-values are higher the higher.
However, seven “zones” within the United States indicate how high of an R-value you require in relation to climate. For instance, Zone 1 in Florida has R-values that range from R13 to R49 due to the warmer climate.
In cold winter months it’s crucial to have an insulator that is dense that keeps your residence warm. Here’s a chart by Home Depot is an excellent illustration of the R-values to set for every area within your residence. Zone 7 is located near Minnesota however, needs R-values of between R30 and R60, specifically within the attic.
Note: These figures are the R-value of the entire thickness of the insulation. For instance, insulation with an R-value of 5 per inch will have to be 4 inches thick in order to achieve R20.
Sorts of Insulation (Pros and Cons)
There are a variety of insulationSome of which you might be familiar with, while others aren’t so sure. However, luckily to you that we’ll explain each type with advantages and disadvantages, as well as their R-values.
Blanket Batt or Roll Insulation: R-4.3 per inch
This is the most commonly used kind of insulation and is what you imagine when you think of “insulation.” It is offered with long, wide rolls which are simple to cut and put in the right place. It’s possible to find this type of insulation constructed from rock wool, fiberglass, or other natural fibers such as the sheep’s wool or denim.
Pros:
- Pre-cut to be placed between the studs
- Cost-effective
- Easy for installation (DIY-friendly)
Cons:
- Glass fibers may irritate eyes, skin, and the lungs. protective wear is essential in the installation of.
- Conduction of heat is feasible
- It is able to tear or break quickly
Rigid Foam Board Insulation R-4 to R-6 for every inch
The insulation is constructed of foam that is sold in large sheets. These foam boards are cut to fit well between walls or studs that are standard. They are ideal for flat surfaces, such as the foundation of your home or exterior walls.
Pros:
- Medium-range pricing
- Does not require any special equipment or additional training in order to install
- There are no irritants within the material
- Blocks heat conduction through your home’s construction (only in its class)
Cons:
- Should be carefully cut to fit around outlets and pipes
- Requires an additional sealant to ensure an airtight seal around these elements
- must be covered with either plaster or plywood. It is not allowed to be in the open as other kinds of HTML0.
LOASE-FILL (Blown-In) Fiberglass R-2.2 up to R-2.7 for every inch
It’s exactly what it’s called little pieces of fiberglass can be found within your windows. This is among the most sought-after types due to it is easy to put in and can be included in existing insulation.
Pros:
- low-cost (maybe the most affordable insulation alternative)
- Eco-friendly
- Diy-friendly
- You can reuse it as a material through sucking it up, then relocating it to an area
Cons:
- It’s not possible to have even coverage with no the right equipment
- The possibility of heat conduction remains possible , even if it is not installed properly
- is a great way to hold water
- Also eye irritation and lungs, as well as skin
Radiant Barrier: NO R-Value
Although other kinds of insulation block the conductive heat which is explained by its R-value the radiant barrier insulation/foil is able by blocking radiant energy (up to 98 percent). It’s affixed to beams and plywood to form an airtight seal. Therefore it doesn’t have an R-value.
Pros:
- Perfect for wrapping pipes and pipes or
- Excellent in warmer climates, where reflecting heat is beneficial.
- Installation is simple
- Creates a vapor barrier
- Does not degrade like foam roll, roll, or blow-blown insulation
Cons:
- If it is dirty, it may impact its performance
- Not ideal for colder climates
Spray Foam: R-7 per inch
Spray foam is composed of two chemicals mixed together that spray from a bottle which then expands rapidly and sets. It is among the most effective forms of insulation because it fills all the crevices and crevices that other kinds could leave out. It’s an extremely productive material for insulation which can increase the cost however it’s well worth the cost.
Pros:
- has the highest R-value density
- Soundproofing
- is closed-cell and doesn’t require any additional barriers to vapor.
- covers the entire area it’s installed
- It is easy to use around pipes, outlets and other difficult-to-reach places
Cons:
- The chemicals employed to make spray foam output toxic gasses and fumes. You should wear a safety mask and be in a well-ventilated space.
- Not DIY-friendly It requires professional installation (which can be both a benefit as well as a cons)
- High cost
- It can leak through holes or gaps which aren’t in a sealed state.
Your Premium Option: Spray Foam Insulation Benefits
We’d like to go deeper into the best option for spray foam insulation. We think it’s one of the most beneficial options for your home in order to ensure it is effective and lower your energy costs. What is the reason to should you pick spray foam over other kinds of insulation?
Spray foam costs a lot, but its benefits are significant when you invest in your home.
High R-Value
As we said that the R-value measures how the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the value higher, the better in blocking heat. Spray foam is among the most efficient R values for an inch at R-7. This implies that spray foam is more effective at insulate your home than any other kind of insulation.
Energy Savings
A good air seals and insulation in the attic allows the attic to be completely sealed off from air to flow in or out, making your HVAC system work as efficiently as it can. The attic is well-sealed against the elements by having such a an impressive R-value. It might cost more initially, but you’ll be able to see the savings in your monthly bills over time.
Highly Versatile
Spray foam is a great option for any area of your home that require insulation for example, the basement, attic and crawl spaces, as well as the garage. Spray foam can be utilized on irregular or curly surfaces that other kinds of insulation are unable to tackle. It’s also a fantastic soundproofing agent. So if you reside in an area that is noisy or have walls that are thin, spray foam can help limit how much sound emanating from your home. It is ideal for homes with musicians
Air Seals Your Attic
According to the section on energy efficiency, spray foam helps air to seal your attic. This is a great thing as a sealed and well-insulated attic can enhance the air quality. air quality. By sealing any gaps or cracks you’ll also keep out all outside allergens or bugs that could be looking to get into your home.
Keeps Your Home Comfortable
The spray foam attic will be an area that is more comfortable than an attic that isn’t well-insulated or lacks insulation. This is due to the fact that spray foam helps regulate the temperature of your attic and keeps it cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.
Long Lifespan
Spray foam insulation is an easy way of attaining the high-quality insulation you require. The spray foam insulation, when done properly, can last up hundred years or even longer! This can be particularly beneficial to those who have bought their first home and has had to deal with several insulation problems over the years.
What is the cost of spray Foam Insulation Cost?
We’ve all waited for the answer to the question: how much will spray foam insulation cost? The 2022 price for average national spray foam insulation installation cost is $2,492.
The cost could start as low as $1200 but can rise to $3,700, or even more according to the project location. The area of your attic is the primary factor in determining the amount you will pay.
The material is more expensive due to the equipment and training needed for its installation. It’s not as easy as going through the store to pick the rolled batts you need to use for insulation. Instead, you need to hire an experienced team that can use the spray foam machine to do the job right. The video below provides an excellent walk-through of spray foam insulation installation:
Although it’s tempting to choose the most affordable option, think about making a small investment in the energy efficiency of your home and choose spray foam insulation.
Lower your energy bills By Using a Professional Spray Foam Application
Your home’s performance is dependent on a few factors such as a high-quality roof and windows that are well-made and a high quality insulation. Here at First American Roofing & Siding We can assist you to attain the best performance for your home. If you’d like to know more and discover what we can do to help contact our team of experts immediately to start the process.