What is Blanket Insulation and is it Right for My Home in Virginia?

When it comes to insulating your home, there are a variety of different methods for you to choose from. However, too much variety can be overwhelming – how do you know what is best for your home? In this article, we are going to focus specifically on blanket insulation and whether, or not, it is right for your home in Virginia. If you need to insulate an existing home or a new home in Virginia, read on to find out more about blanket insulation.

What is blanket insulation?

Blanket insulation is one of the most commonly installed types of insulation. It comes in the form of batts or rolls. While batt insulation is available in pre-cut panels, roll insulation comes with and without facing, and rolls can be cut and trimmed to fit the space you are filling.

Batts and rolls are usually made of fiberglass, mineral wool, plastic fibers and natural fibers, such as cotton or sheep’s wool. You can also get batts with flame-resistant facing if the insulation area is going to be left exposed, such as in a basement. 

Where can blanket insulation be installed?

Blanket insulation is usually installed in spaces without too many obstacles, such as pipes or wiring. You would typically use blanket insulation in areas such as unfinished walls, floors and ceilings. It is fitted between studs and beams and is often used in new construction projects. You can also use blanket insulation as thermal insulation for areas inside your home. One of the most common places to install blanket insulation is in an attic.   

What is its R-value?

The R-value of blanket insulation is highly dependent on its thickness. Blanket insulation has an R-value of around R-2.9 to R-3.8 per inch of thickness. If you choose a higher-performance fiberglass blanket or batt insulation, the R-values sit between R-3.7 and R-4.3 per inch of thickness.

Pros and cons of blanket insulation

As with anything, there are both benefits and drawbacks to choosing blanket insulation. 

Pros

• Blanket insulation is very affordable and is much cheaper than say, foam insulation.
• It is easy to install, especially if your house does not have many small crevices that need to be sealed off.
• It reduces noises from the outside, as well as between different rooms and floors inside.
• If installed correctly, it is very energy efficient. Some studies have shown batt insulation can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a home by as much as 50 per cent.

Cons

• It is not as durable as other materials – it tends to settle and break down faster, meaning its thermal protection reduces over time.
• Due to its lower R-value, if you are insulating an attic or crawl space that has already been built, you will need to ensure there is plenty of room for installation as you may need to add 10-12 inches of insulation to achieve the right amount of insulation.

Is blanket insulation right for your home in Virginia?

Blanket insulation is an effective insulation material to use if you live in Virginia because Virginia generally experiences mild weather year round. However, the amount of blanket insulation you need will also depend on the type of heating and cooling system you have and the part of the house you plan on insulating. For example, if you want to insulate your attic and live in Virginia, you would need an R-value of R-30 to R-60. If you want to insulate your floor, you would need an R-value of R-25.