If done properly, insulation can save you thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs over time. However, before calling a home improvement contractor to install your insulation, you need to know what type of insulation you need.
For year round comfort in your home, it is vital you choose the right insulation. And, if done properly, insulation can save you thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs over time. However, before calling a home improvement contractor to install your insulation, you need to know what type of insulation you need. Loose fill and rigid insulation are two of the most common choices, but they offer different benefits.
Loose fill, also known as blown insulation, is both versatile and affordable. Loose fill insulation can be made from a variety of materials: cellulose (even recycled newspapers,) fiberglass, polystyrene beads, perlite or vermiculite). The R-value of these materials varies from 2 to 4 per inch, with the price varying based on the R-value.
Rigid insulation is likewise made out of different types of materials, including: polyisocyanurate, expanded polystyrene, bead board, EPS, XPS, rigid fiberglass, and phenolic foam boards. The R-value of these materials is much higher than loose fill insulation, varying from 4 to 7 per inch. Due to the higher R-value, rigid insulation is costlier, but on the other hand, does offer better insulation overall. You can read more about the difference between loose fill and rigid insulation here.