Proper insulation can improve your home's energy efficiency.
Big no-no! Plastic traps moisture, which can cause mold in your attic. Insulation needs to breathe. Think of it like a sweaty sweater under plastic - not comfy!
Yes, sleeping in a room with exposed insulation isn't ideal. It can release dust and fibers into the air, which might affect your health. Additionally, it can be less effective at insulating. It's best to cover or properly finish the insulation for safety and better performance. Hope this helps with your home setup!
If the insulation is ever disturbed, it can cause many health problems that are otherwise easily avoided. Breathing in fiberglass particles can irritate your eyes, lungs, and skin. This health risk is probably the best reason you want to cover your fiberglass insulation.
You can insulate but you need to leave a gap between your insulation and the roof to allow the air the circulate. If you don't, your shingles will become very hot in the summer and they will prematurely get broken.
When it comes to insulation, it's generally recommended to leave a gap between the insulation material and any other surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, or roofs. This gap provides ventilation and prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to mould and other problems.
For optimal energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundation.
The best solutions to use in these applications are either a Vapor Barrier or a Radiant Barrier. Most climates require a vapor barrier to cover ceiling insulation, but not all insulation requires a vapor barrier. It's always important to refer to your state's building codes.
ECOCELL Blankets can be left exposed or even painted. Unlike other insulation materials, ECOCELL does not have to be covered with gypsum board. Leaving ECOCELL exposed is another reason ECOCELL is the cost effective solution for insulating basements and crawlspaces.
After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder, sometimes called a vapor barrier, if you need one. Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.
Once insulation gets wet, it loses its ability to trap air effectively, reducing its thermal resistance (R-value). Moisture can also lead to mold growth, which poses health risks and can damage the surrounding structure. Fiberglass or cellulose insulation must be removed and replaced.
Exposed insulation can cause a variety of problems that can significantly impact your health and comfort. The level of risk depends on the type of exposure, the duration of the exposure and the location of the exposed insulation in your home. Exposed insulation in basements, attics and garages is the most common.
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.
The best way to insulate the inside of a ceiling depends on the type of ceiling and your specific needs. Spray foam insulation and batt insulation are two popular options. Spray Foam Insulation: This method involves spraying a liquid foam that expands and hardens.
Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold, saving you up to 20% on your heating and cooling energy costs.
Foam Board Insulation: Can be left exposed for 30-60 days but should be covered to protect from UV rays and physical damage. Fiberglass Insulation: Should be covered as soon as possible to avoid health and safety risks.
Yes, covering your insulation with a vapor barrier plastic before installing drywall is crucial. It prevents moisture buildup that can lead to mold, rot, and even structural damage. A polyethylene vapor barrier also adds a layer of fire protection, making your home safer.
If you have exposed fiberglass insulation, it's best to cover it to prevent the fibers from spreading in the occupied areas of your home. Unoccupied or low-traffic areas of your home, like a closed attic, don't necessarily need to have covered insulation.
It is best to use specialized insulation mesh netting to hold loose-fill insulation in place. Loose-fill insulation requires a mesh of some sort, and chicken wire and garden netting have too large holes to contain it adequately.
Cold Climates: In regions with cold climates, the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments can lead to condensation within the ceiling. Vapor barriers become essential in preventing this condensation. High Humidity Areas: Buildings in high humidity areas are prone to moisture-related problems.
Kraft-faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder, which helps prevent mold and mildew. Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward, towards the installer.
Yes, an air gap between the roof and insulation is needed, especially for traditional materials like fibreglass, mineral wool, and foil insulation.
While it may seem like the more insulation you have, the more energy-efficient your home will be, you do not want to insulate both the attic floor and ceiling. Insulating the floor and the ceiling would create a separate and conditioned environment, especially if you air-sealed your attic.
Batt Insulation
Fiberglass: This is a popular choice due to its affordability and effectiveness. It's available in various R-values to suit different climates. Cellulose: Made from recycled paper, cellulose batts are eco-friendly and provide good thermal performance.