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The whole point of insulation is to prevent air and moisture from penetrating through the walls of your home. Insulation can be implemented into the walls, the attic, and even underneath the house just below the flooring. Insulation is so vital to your building’s protection that it is regulated by the city, state, and federal agencies. These agencies essentially look for the following criteria:

●        Is the insulation environmentally safe?

●        Does the insulation create an energy efficient home?

●        Is the insulation cost-effective and durable?

●        What is the overall R-Value of the insulation?

What is R-Value?

R-value determines and rates how effective an insulation product is at inhibiting air and moisture from getting through a building’s walls. Manufacturers produce various insulation products that are designed for this purpose. Modern insulation is produced from various materials including cellulose, spray foam, fiberglass, rockwool, and polystyrene structural insulated panels (SIPs). Each of these materials is rated according to their ability to insulate an entire home from top to bottom.

More specifically, R-value is also understood in the technical world as a measure of thermal resistance that a material has. How much of the sun’s heat and UV rays can it withstand in order to keep a home cool during the summer? When considering what type of insulation is best for your home you need to ask an insulation technician about its ability to keep air, heat, and moisture from invading the interior.

Comparing Different Types of Insulation

The R-value should be the most important factor in determining what type of insulation you will invest in. Below is a chart of the most popular types insulation and the R-value rating given to each.

As you can see from the chart above, different types of insulation have varying levels of R-Values. For instance, fiberglass insulation that is common in many homes has an R-Value of 2.2 – 3.8 per inch. This rating meets or exceeds the industry standards. Polyurethane spray foam has the highest R-Value rating of 5.6 – 8.0. For this reason, spray foam is often implemented in commercial and industrial buildings for maximum protection.

Higher R-Value Will Save You Money

Insulation is vital to a building’s energy efficiency. It creates a blanket around the all the walls, ceiling, and floors that seal the entire structure. This type of inside barrier allows your HVAC system to operate in a more efficient manner. Your heating and cooling unit will work less to provide a comfortable home interior. The result is lower heating and cooling costs and lower energy bills annually. When investing in insulation, you should spend the additional money to get quality insulation that will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

If you are looking for insulation installation or replacement in North St. Paul, Minnesota or the surrounding area, then contact Window World MN at 651-770-5570. You can also message us on our contact page. Just click here.  Call us today to get a free estimate!