A home requires air circulation, so if it is too tightly sealed and over-insulated, moisture can build up that causes mold. With too many layers of insulation, mold can even grow in between the layers. Mold in the home can cause allergy flare-ups, allergic reactions, and breathing issues.
An over-insulated house is susceptible to mold since it is so tightly sealed that it prevents moisture from escaping. It also prevents air from entering, circulating, and exiting, which can significantly reduce indoor air quality.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
The optimal R-value for most homes is 30, but you can go as high as 38 if you live in a tropical climate. Anything higher than 38 indicates an over-insulated space. While you might think that too much insulation can't be bad, there are some significant consequences to consider.
As a general guideline, it's advisable to install double layers of thermal insulation throughout your house. Nevertheless, this may not be feasible in all areas due to space limitations. Typically, it's not practical to add two layers of insulation within the walls of your home.
The thermal barrier of a home should consist of a continuous layer of insulation on all sides—including the lowest floor, the exterior walls, and the ceiling or roof. Doubling the thickness of insulation will double the insulation's R-value, cutting heat loss in half.
R-value is used to judge thermal insulation performance and the higher the number, the better the product's insulating ability. So R19 has better insulating ability than R13. Now R-Value ranges widely across products and home applications. Indeed you will see R60 in some places and R13 in others.
While over-insulated attics aren't as common as under-insulated attics, it is possible to put so much insulation in your attic that it has a negative impact.
Depending on where you live and the part of your home you're insulating (walls, crawlspace, attic, etc.), you'll need a different R-Value. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.
Many of us know what causes mould; when moisture is trapped in the rooms of you home. Sometimes, there is insufficient insulation in the walls, so mould grows. However, not many people realise that additional insulation isn't always the answer. In fact, too much insulation can be the secret cause of mould.
Based on new research, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) estimates that roughly 90% of existing U.S. homes are under-insulated. That means that the occupants are less comfortable, and both energy and money are being wasted.
One sign of good insulation is having even temperatures throughout your home. If different rooms have different temperatures – say, you freeze in the kitchen but feel too warm in your living room – that's a clear sign your house is under-insulated.
The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. While it's a given that the insulation in your attic will keep the home warmer during the winter, it isn't immediately obvious that insulation can also help to keep the home comfortable during the summer.
Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot. The backing is especially flammable and will be a major fire hazard for your home.
Irritation to skin and respiratory system
Wall insulation solutions like Rockwool are made of ultra-fine fibres. While thermally efficient, they can cause skin and respiratory irritation.
During the off-gassing period, indoor air quality will plummet and begin to fluctuate before finally recovering after an average of 24 hours. Many spray foam insulation companies recommend homeowners stay out of the house for at least 24 hours.
The thinnest insulation material currently available on the market is the 10mm Aerogel blanket. Its manufacturing technology is highly interesting, and its appearance resembles frozen smoke. For some, aerogel is synonymous with time frozen and suspended in space.
Drywall has a relatively low R-value — about 0.45 at ½” thickness. This is similar to building materials such as siding, concrete, dirt, face brick, particleboard, wood and single-pane glass. However, it is significantly less than materials that are commonly used for insulation.
You can use faced or unfaced batting when installing between the roof rafters of finished attic spaces. When using paper or plastic batting insulation, that moisture barrier should face outward toward the attic space. Even if the attic space is unheated, it's typically warmer than the outside air in winter.
Your walls or floors are always cold. Your home is drafty, especially in certain areas. You notice water leaks or moldy insulation, especially in attic spaces.
Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.
Also, when laying down additional insulation, work from the perimeter toward the attic opening. Never lay insulation over recessed light fixtures or soffit vents. Keep all insulation at least 3 inches away from recessed "can" lights, unless they are rated IC (Insulated Ceiling).
If you double the thickness of your insulation, you're essentially giving its R-value a twin sibling. Double trouble, double warmth!
R15 insulation offers slightly better thermal insulative properties than R13. Some of its formats are a fraction of an inch thicker than R13, making it more effective at helping with energy efficiency. However, the difference is minimal. R15 is slightly thicker than R13 for spray foam and blown-in cellulose.
Many factors contribute to the high cost of insulating a new construction home. Between the quality of materials, labor costs, and regulatory compliance, insulation costs can add up quickly. Investing in premium insulation like spray foam is an expensive choice.