Fiberglass is the most common home insulation, making up the vast majority of the market. It is cost-effective, readily available, and primarily made of fine glass fibers.
Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation
Blanket insulation -- the most common and widely available type of insulation -- comes in the form of batts or rolls.
Closed cell spray foam is rigid once set. It is a better thermal insulator and was previously sold to stabilise failing roofs. But if it has been used inappropriately or installed poorly, it might put stress on timbers, restrict air circulation and put them at risk of decaying.
R19 Insulation offers superior thermal insulation compared to R13. With a typical thickness of 6.25 inches, R19 fiberglass is designed for use in 2x6 wall cavities, making them suitable for colder climates where higher thermal resistance is necessary.
It is a common measure adopted by manufacturers, retailers, and even some contractors to ascertain the performance of insulation. Although R-value is important, it will not help you save on your power bills. The fact is, the energy efficiency of your home does not just rely on a number.
What time of year is Insulation cheapest?
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Mice are curious and always searching for safe, snug, and warm nesting sites. Attics filled with blown-in insulation provide an excellent option–from the mice's point of view. As long as there is a ready food source. Mice are omnivorous and will eat and chew on almost anything including wood and electrical wires.
When balancing upfront cost and overall thermal efficiency, the cheapest and most effective standard insulation is fiberglass batt insulation. However, if you are looking for long-term savings through superior air sealing, dense-pack cellulose often provides the best overall value.
Yes, you can absolutely over-insulate a wall. While rare, adding too much insulation or installing it incorrectly can cause trapped moisture, severe mold, structural wood rot, and overheating. It is critical to balance high R-values with proper vapor barriers and ventilation.
Yes, mice can easily chew through foam insulation. Because mice have strong, continuously growing teeth, they will chew through soft materials like foam to create tunnels, sharpen their teeth, or gain access to a warm space.
The healthiest, non-toxic insulation for your home is natural sheep's wool or hemp insulation. These materials contain no chemical binders or formaldehyde, actively regulate indoor humidity to prevent mold, and do not off-gas.
The cost to insulate a new build with spray foam typically ranges from $14,100 to $30,500 for an average 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft.
Spray Foam Insulation: Offers the highest R-value (~R-6.0 to R-6.5 per inch), providing exceptional air sealing and moisture resistance. It's ideal for irregular spaces and maximizing energy savings.
Potential problems with spray foam insulation
reduce air circulation and ventilation within a roof space. lead to dampness and condensation on the underside of a roof because it forms an air barrier and stops moisture from escaping. place timber-framed roofs at risk of decay.
Should I remove old loft insulation before laying new? Older insulation material will typically need to be removed before adding new insulation. However, in some cases the material may be in good condition, meaning you can simply top up the existing insulation material for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.
Interior walls are frequently left uninsulated during construction because the energy efficiency benefits aren't as great as insulating exterior walls, floors and ceilings.
Whole-house insulation is usually a one- to two-day process, not a long renovation. Work is staged by area to keep the project efficient: Attic insulation and air sealing.
Unfaced insulation is great for new construction, remodels, walls, floors, ceilings, basements, attics and crawlspaces. It's best used for interior wall applications that do not face the outside and also in rooms that don't need moisture control, like living rooms, dining rooms and studies.
The Environmental Protection Agency banned spray-on asbestos insulation in 1973, certain types of pipe and block insulation in 1975 and new asbestos insulation products in 1989. In 2024, the EPA banned most uses of chrysotile asbestos products, including imports.
What products are eligible? Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place. Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement, including: Weather stripping.
The Amish control mice through non-chemical, self-sustaining methods, relying on active trapping, natural scent repellents, and structural exclusion. Rather than using commercial poisons, they focus on physical barriers and natural predators to keep rodent populations in check.
Closed-cell spray foam and rigid foam board are hard, unattractive to rodents, and double as air barriers. Mineral wool is dense enough to discourage nesting. Fiberglass batts, especially in crawl spaces and attics, are essentially an open invitation.
The ultimate "number one" mice killer depends on your specific needs—whether you prefer fast-acting poison or a safe, pet-friendly option.