Advantages and Disadvantages of Insulation

Insulating your home or office is one of the best ways to reduce cooling and heating costs. There are different types of insulation such as batts and blankets, loose-fill insulation, spray foam insulation, etc. Each type has its own pros and cons. Moreover, the cost is also different for each insulation type. So, we are going to discuss the different types and their advantages and disadvantages in this article.

Loose-Fill Fiber Insulation

For this type of insulation, we fill strands of fiber in the walls using a machine. The main advantage of this insulation type is that it is lightweight.

Anyhow, due to the loose-fill, it loses its effectiveness at cold temperatures. Moreover, due to fiberglass, you can only recycle 60% of the content which is a serious environmental issue. When it comes to withering, choose a DIY or a professional for this job. We recommend you to go for DIY as you can save more than 65 % over the cost. If the job is simple then you can do it yourself with a blower. But if it is too complicated then we recommend to hire a professional.

Loose-Fill Cellulose

The use of cellulose provides you with more effective insulation even in colder temperatures. But if it is too heavy, you will need a heavy wall for this. When it comes to environmental issues, it is safer than fiberglass.

Structural Insulated Panels

These panels are costly compared to other types of insulation but they can also help you save 14% to 20% energy. The normal size of these panels is 4 by 8 feet. Moreover, many companies also manufacture 8 by 24 feet panels too. If you are replacing your roofing or siding, it is recommended. Moreover, the panels have edges that help it attach on the wall surface. Moreover, you can use it in crawl space and basement walls.

Polystyrene SIPs

Polystyrene structured insulation panels come in two types. One is expanded and the second version is extruded. The main difference between these two is price and strength. The EPS is cheap compared to XPS and XPS is stronger and has a pink or blue color. Moreover, it is really easy to install and light in weight which is very efficient. Anyhow, it also has disadvantages too like if your wall has pipes then you have to cut them to fit in the wall. It causes gaps in the insulation which then you have to fill with sealing foam. Moreover, pests and insects can crawl through them as well.

The panels can be recycled but most people do not do so. They wind it up and throw it in oceans and rivers. Moreover, they emit toxic gases when they catch fire.

Spray Foam

Spray foam is another type of insulation that you can use in your home. The foam is less expensive than batts and is airtight. Another great benefit is it goes on as a liquid and fills all the gaps in the walls which improve the effectiveness.