What are the R-value requirements for blown-in insulation?
Fighting off the summer heat or a chilly winter has always been a challenge for Florida homes. These days, the solution that most people invest in is home insulation. It is a simple yet effective technique that keeps your home at your desired temperature.
Insulation helps lower internal heat loss when cold while keeping out external heat during hot days. Overall, it has many benefits to a home, and knowing the different material options you have and what they can do for you can help you pick out the right type of insulation for your home.
One of the most popular types of insulation is blown-in insulation, which works particularly well for attics. Understanding the appropriate blown-in insulation R-Value, the thickness you need, or the ideal R-value your climate demands will help you make the right decisions. So, here are the basics you should know for home insulation.
What are R-Values?
There is no better measurement than the R-Value to know how well-insulated your home is. This value indicates how well your home is protected from giving off or absorbing heat to and from the surrounding environment. Some residential areas may have minimum requirements for the R-value, so make sure to check this to maximize comfort in your home.
Many factors can affect your R-value needs. One of the biggest factors to consider is the local climate, which will indicate how much or how little insulation your property needs to protect you from environmental elements. Depending on your home’s structure and insulation needs, you will also need to adjust factors like the thickness and type of material used.
What Are the Common Materials Used for Home Insulation?
Different materials offer different levels of insulation as well as other characteristics give them distinct advantages. The most common types of materials used worldwide include the following:
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Fiberglass
The use of fiberglass insulation is quickly becoming one of the environmentally friendly options to consumers while doubling as a budget-friendly choice. Fiberglass is great because it is a fire retardant. Blown-In Insulation R-Value for fiberglass ranges from 2.2-2.9 depending on thickness.
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Cellulose
Another popular choice for homes is the use of cellulose insulation. This type of insulation is a dense form of recycled material commonly treated with chemicals to further improve its safety and usability.
It offers a decent R-value (3.1-3.8), which can gradually fade as the material compacts on itself. However, this leads to it requiring more maintenance following natural degradation. We recommend blown-in fiberglass insulation compared to cellulose.
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Foam
If you are looking for the hardiest and most flexible insulator, look no further than foam insulation. This material expands as you apply it, covering any cracks or holes other materials cannot reach. It also provides the best R-value out of the three (4.4 – 8.2).
However, a downside is that it has the worst environmental effects and has severe health risks if not professionally applied and monitored. This is why blown-in insulation is more favorable compared to foam insulation.
Benefits of Blown-In Insulation
Blown-in insulation is one of the premier options when you want to have attic insulation. However, there are other benefits which you may not be aware of. One of the biggest benefits is the amount of money it saves you in the long run. Blown-in insulation keeps your electric bill low by minimizing the time you need to keep your AC or heat running, thus reducing electricity bills!
Most types of chemically treated blown-in insulation also act as fire retardants. As a result, blown-in insulation is known to be one of the easiest types to install, and it takes professionals only a short period of time to have everything set up and covered. It also has the edge over batts of the same material and thickness by offering a marginally higher efficiency than then.
Due to the thickness of the material, you also receive a form of soundproofing. Lastly, the material is porous, and thus it absorbs the humidity that can sometimes build up. Removing the moisture from the surrounding air reduces the opportunities for molds to grow and take over your attics.
Overall blown-in insulation comes with the following benefits:
- Energy Efficient
- Provides Fire Protection
- Fast and Easy to Install
- Better Efficiency than Batts
- Offers Some Soundproofing
- Reduces Mold Growth
Why Do You Need Insulation?
Insulation is not just there to keep you toastier in winter. A well-insulated home can save you money by minimizing your air conditioning costs. Certain type of insulation also act as pest barriers, moisture absorbers, and fire retardants. Areas such as your attic, walls, crawlspaces, and floors can all benefit from insulation in more ways than one.
Insulating your home by yourself is a challenging task and knowing technical data such as the Blown-In Insulation R-Value for materials is just the first step of many. Other necessary information, such as your recommended home insulation per state, is another hurdle that adds to the complexity of the task.
Get Professional Blown-in Insulation Installed in Your Home Today
Experts and professionals will be able to adequately assess your space and provide the right materials and services to save you money and keep your homes comfortable. For high-quality services, call Joe Blows Insulation today at 727-656-9785 for your attic insulation, insulation removal, and air sealing needs and to schedule a free consultation!