DIY Network

Keeping the Inside Out: Insulation Products From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-110

In the first segment you found out the basic functions of insulation. Now Blueprint for Home Building host -- Jeff Wilson -- will go over the questions you need to ask when it comes to choosing the right insulation for your new home.

There are lots of materials you can use to insulate your home, and what function do they fulfill?

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	Figure A -- Fiberglass Batts
	Figure B -- Cellulose Insulation
	Figure C -- Spray Foam Insulation
	Figure D -- Rigid Boards

What Kind of Insulation Will Be In the Home?

There are five products that are commonly used in a home insulating system:

1. Fiberglass -- a thermal insulator composed of tiny glass fibers, which is perfect for walls. It usually comes in the form of batts (figure A), which are pre-cut pieces of fiberglass that are designed to fit directly into the stud bays of your walls. Because of their pre-cut sizes, fiberglass batts make for a tight fit that's perfect for preventing any heat loss or air leakage.

   
   Tip: If you do work with fiberglass insulation, be sure to wear work gloves, a long sleeve shirt, long pants, dust mask and safety goggles.

   
   

2. Cellulose -- This type of insulation is another thermal (like fiberglass) insulator that's perfect for floors and walls, however, it can be used in almost any part of your home. Made from recycled newspaper, cellulose insulation (figure B) is often preferred by those with environmental concerns. During the production process fire retardants are added, and then it's compressed, packaged and ready to go. Cellulose insulation does cost more than fiberglass, but it can be more energy efficient, which can save you money in the long run.

   
   Did You Know? Thomas Jefferson actually used a form of cellulose insulation in Montecello more than 200 years ago, so it's been around a long time.

   
   

3. Spray Foam -- Foam insulation is primarily used to create an air barrier for your home. This means it will do a great job at filling the tiny cracks and gaps that can create air leakage. The foam, which is applied as a liquid (figure C), actually expands to fill in the gaps and holes. One of the best locations for spray foam is around windows. Because of its ability to adhere to hard-to-reach places, foam insulation is more effective as an air barrier than fiberglass or cellulose insulation.

   
   Note: Fiberglass, cellulose and foam are all three are great thermal insulators, but they work best on the "inside" of your home. The next two insulators work best on the "outside" of your home.

   
   

4. Rigid Boards -- This fourth form of thermal insulation can be composed of either foam or fiberglass and can be used in many applications -- both inside or outside the home. Rigid boards (figure D) come in thicknesses of 1/2" up to a 1-1/2" and are generally used in the exterior of the studs, whether they're wood-frame or steel-frame buildings.

   
   Because of their durability, rigid foam boards can provide quality insulation over a long period of time while also providing protection against moisture. The biggest advantage of rigid foam is that it will stay consistent and its moisture properties. It ranks extremely high when it comes to keeping moisture out of a house.

   
   In addition to providing insulation, rigid boards are also effective at protecting your home's foundation from water.

   
   

5. Vapor Barriers -- These are plastic materials that are used to literally "wrap" your home. For this reason, they are also extremely effective at keeping moisture at bay. A vapor barrier keeps the moisture from coming through the wall, getting into the house so the walls won't get damp.

These are five common insulators that will protect your home from heat loss, air leakage and moisture damage. Keep in mind that all of the insulation in your home is part of a system, which means your builder "may" use a combination of these five choices to fully insulate your new home.

In the next segment you'll find out who installs your insulation -- and how it's installed.

GUESTS :

Anthony Grisolia
Building Performance Specialist
IBACOS, Inc.
Website: www.ibacos.com

John Holton
Senior Architect
Ibacos
Website: www.ibacos.com

Shawn Rippon
VP Marketing
Icynene
6747 Campobello Rd.
Mississauga, ON, Canada L5N 2L7
Toll-free: 800-758-7325
Phone: 905-363-4040
Fax: 905-363-0102
Website: www.icynene.com

Matt Klym
Installer
Suburban Insulation, Inc.
193 Crowe Ave.
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: 724-625-2257
Fax: 724-625-3720
E-mail: mars@installed.net
Website: www.ibpteam.com

Gale Tedhams
Insulation Products Manager
Owens Corning
3000 Hasty Rd.
Toledo, OH 43615
Phone: 419-248-8978
E-mail: gale.tedhams@owenscorning.com

Michael Buchtel
Do-it-yourselfer
Insulation Fan
105 Levinson Pass
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: 757-592-0184
E-mail: va_homebyte@yahoo.com

Dan Lea
Director
Cellulose Insulation Manufacturer's Association
136 S. Keowee St.
Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-222-2462
E-mail: cima@cellulose.org

Wayne Gersch
Title: Insulation Products Manager
Owens Corning
Owens Corning 1 Parkway
Phone: 419-248-6833
E-mail: wayne.gersch@owenscorning.com