What Are The Best Insulation Options Available For New Homes?
You are building your new home. The time has come to choose insulation. Because you spend most of your day in your home, choosing the right building insulation material is crucial. Another key factor to consider is how to save money on your monthly energy bill. You don't want your dream home to cost you more than it has to.
It is important to reduce the air movement into and out of your new house in order to make it more energy-efficient. To prevent moisture problems in the future, it is critical to reduce air leakage.
The home can be blocked from air movement by creating an air barrier with insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy says that an air barrier can prevent air from leaking into your home. It can also block air movement, which can account for nearly 30% of a home’s heating and cooling costs.
Best Insulating Building Materials for New Construction Homes: Spray foam, fiberglass and cellulose are the most popular building insulation materials.
Best Attic Insulation: Cellulose Fiberglass, Spray Foam, or Fiberglass
Attic insulation is crucial if you want to prevent your hard-earned dollars from leaking out of your roof. Open cell spray foam and fiberglass are the most effective roof insulation options. Cellulose insulation is one of the oldest available. It can be used as either loose-fill or blown-in material on the attic floor. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint or denim. Cellulose insulation is more cost-effective than other materials when it comes to insulation an attic.
Although cellulose might seem cheaper, it is not an ideal choice. It can settle up to 20%, shifts to one side, and doesn’t create an air seal. Without an air seal, cold and hot air can freely flow through the attic.
Fiberglass is another type of insulation you will find in many homes. It is made up of very fine glass fibers. Although it is the most cost-effective option, it is not the most attractive. Fiberglass insulation allows for airflow to the attic.
Spray foam insulation creates an air barrier in your attic. It is the most cost-effective insulation. Spray foam insulation can expand to 100 times its original dimensions, filling all the attic nooks and crevices. Certain spray foams contain water-blown organic chemical compounds and petroleum extracts as the main ingredients. This makes the material environment-safe.
Spray foam is also Class 1 Fire Rated for the attic. It won't act as a catalyst if there's a fire. Spray foam doesn't retain any water, so it won’t encourage mold or mildew growth.
Air can still move into homes with traditional insulations, such as cellulose and fiberglass. This means that during the winter, heat is being lost and cold air is being drawn in. The only product that acts as both an insulator and an air seal is foam insulation.
Starting off with the right insulation for your new construction home will save money down the road. A professional Riverside insulation company can help you choose the best insulation for your construction project.