roof-contractor
Deciding what kind of insulation is best for your needs can be a somewhat daunting task. What it really boils down to are two key questions:

  • What is the R-Value of the insulation?
  • What type of insulation do you need?

R-Value

The efficiency of insulation is measured by what’s referred to as an “R-Value,” which indicates how much resistance to heat flow the insulation provides. Put simply, the higher the R-Value, the more efficient the insulation will be.

Types of Insulation

The type of insulation that’s best for your particular needs will depend on who will be installing it (you or a professional) and where the insulation will go. There are six basic types of insulation:

  •  Blanket insulation: This type usually comes in rolls and must be cut by hand to fit the space where it will be installed. Blanket insulation is typically used in walls and attic floors. This type can be either self-installed or put in by a professional.
  •  Blown-in insulation: This type of insulation is usually installed by a professional using pneumatic equipment, and is typically used in walls and attic floors.
  •  Radiant insulation: This form of insulation is most usually used in roof sheathing to help keep a structure cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Radiant insulation can be DIY or professionally installed.
  •  Reflective insulation: Usually made of foil with some sort of backing material, reflective insulation is most often used between roof rafters, floor joists and wall studs. This insulation can be DIY or professionally installed.
  •  Rigid insulation: This type of insulation comes in board-like forms and is most often used in foundations of buildings and to protect pipes underneath the structure. This is most often installed by professionals during construction of a building.

To learn more, visit http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_02.html

end of day 2 | Flickr – Photo Sharing! : taken from – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjtmail/3282729064/Author: mjtmail (tiggy) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en