The Best Insulation for Your Home

(Page 3 of 3)

November/December 2006
By Susan Lahey 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

2. Loose insulation such as cellulose and blown-in cotton fibers can be dislodged by critters or can settle, reducing R-value.

RELATED CONTENT

3. Damp insulation won't work as well as dry insulation. Some insulation, such as cellulose or cotton, holds moisture more than others, such as cementitious foam. "Vapor barriers" made of plastic or foil can help protect insulation from rain or snow. Vents can prevent moisture from getting trapped, but if there's a significant leak and moisture-retaining insulation gets soaked, it may have to be replaced.

4. Foam insulations tend to hold their R-value very well for the first two years because the gases in the foam block airflow. Then the gases begin to escape, and the R-value drops. A foil radiant barrier can help overcome this.

5. Fiberglass loses up to 50 percent of its R-value at temperatures below -20°F. Homeowners in cold climates might want to chose cellulose; its efficacy actually increases at lower temperatures.

Insulation at a Glance

R-value is used to measure insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. The overall R-value is the insulation rating per inch of thickness multiplied by the number of inches installed. (R-value rating may vary by brand.) How much insulation you need depends on your climate. Check the U.S. Department of Energy's website for recommendations on overall R-value in various parts of your home (attic, walls, basement): www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html#map.

RESOURCES

AIR KRETE
(315) 834-6609
www.AirKrete.com
cementitious foam

BIOBASED 501
(800) 803-5189
www.BioBased.net
soy-based polyurethane foam spray

CELL-PAK
(800) 325-5320
www.CellPak.com
cellulose insulation

GREEN ZONE
www.GreenPolyiso.com
resources for CFC-free polyiso

ICYNENE
(800) 758-7325
www.Icynene.com
formaldehyde-free foam

INNO-THERM
(828) 466-1147
www.InnoTherm.com
cotton insulation

JOHNS MANVILLE
(800) 654-3103
www.JM.com
formaldehyde-free fiberglass

ULTRATOUCH
(480) 812-9114
www.BondedLogic.com
cotton insulation

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Natural Home readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Natural Home Magazine?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe today and save 50%
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to Natural Home

Welcome to Natural Home, the authority on green lifestyle and design. With an up-to-date outlook on current trends in sustainable building and wholesome living, Natural Home gives today’s eco-conscious homeowners the information they need to live in nurturing, healthy homes. Subscribe to Natural Home today to get inspired on the art of living wisely and living well.

Save money and a few trees by paying with your credit card now. Take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You’ll save an additional $4.95 and get six issues of Natural Home for just $15! (Offer valid only in the U.S.)

Or, choose Bill Me Later and pay just $19.95