There are tons of building insulation materials in the market. These materials are crucial for insulating your building to maintain its functionality and efficiency. Insulation makes your systems, such as HVAC, work at their full potential and minimizes the cost of energy bills by reducing heat loss. Additionally, it ensures the environment inside your building is comfortable and at optimum temperature.
Your preferred choice of insulation materials will be determined by various factors such as structure, climate or space type. With the plethora of options in the market, it can be challenging to decide the best building insulation material that perfectly suits your needs. This article will highlight major tricks to consider when selecting the best insulation materials for your building to make your decision-making process seamless.
Select the Right R-Value
R-value refers to a material’s resistance to temperature differences. An insulator with a higher R-value keeps a building as warm as possible even if the outside is freezing. You will need a higher R-value if you live in an area with shallow temperatures on the outside. Most insulation building materials such as spray form, cellulose and fiberglass have almost the same R-value, and you will enjoy the same benefits with any option you choose. Therefore, before purchasing insulation materials, it is advisable to research the recommended range for your residence.
The Fire Resistance of the Insulation Material
The ability of insulation materials to offer fire protection is vital and should be considered when making your choice. If you need quality fire resistant slabs for your building, consider Rockwool insulation slabs. They are non-combustible because they are produced using anti-flammable and thermal insulation material, thus providing fire protection. Fiberglass and mineral wool insulations are also suitable resistant materials since they are non-combustible. Cellulose insulation is also famous for minimizing the flammability of spray foam insulation.
Sustainability of Building Insulation Material
Sustainability is an essential parameter to consider when choosing building insulation materials. It gives your building a good impression that lessens the carbon footprint. For instance, fiberglass and mineral wool insulation materials have a higher percentage of recycled materials.
Consider Installation Process of Insulation Material
There are several categories of insulation materials, and each of them has a specific installation process. It is crucial to understand whether the material requires particular techniques and extra materials. The Batt and blanket variety is cost-friendly and easy to install; thus, it is favorable for people who are into DIY projects. However, loose-fill and plastic foam varieties require professional skills during installation.
The Total Cost
The choice of your insulation material largely depends on your budget. It is essential to know the price of the material and its related expenses. The Batt and Blanket category is affordable to most homeowners, making it the most popular.
For instance, loose-fill and plastic foam require special tools in their installation process, and you need to hire a professional or purchase the necessary tools.
Consider Professional Opinion
R-value and the insulation material you need will significantly depend on your location. Insulation and construction experts will know the materials that will or will not work for your home. Thus, it is vital to get an opinion from a professional before you start your installation process. Additionally, they will most likely estimate the amount of money you will spend, and you will be able to select the one in your budget range that meets your needs.
Health Impacts
Some insulation materials can result in health impacts on the occupants of a building. For instance, spray foam insulation contains isocyanates that can cause asthma and sensitisation. Besides, isocyanates can trigger unfavorable health conditions when exposed to the dermal and respiratory systems.
Some insulation materials can breed mold when they come into contact with moisture. This can affect the general quality of the installed insulation product and cause some health conditions to the occupants, such as skin allergies. Cellulose and spray foam have wet applications, and they are susceptible to moisture. In contrast, fiberglass insulation and mineral wool insulation materials require no drying or curing time during installation hence water cannot penetrate their cavity.
Conclusion
It is essential to research before purchasing insulation materials so that the building’s occupants experience utmost efficiency and functionality. The market is vast, and you will always find insulation materials that suit your needs and budget.
