By: John Crowe
Submitted: 2010-08-19 01:34:41 | Word Count: 578
Most people usually don’t pay that much attention when it comes to ceiling insulation types. Why should we even bother? We think of our roof as nothing more than covering on our heads protecting us from the outside elements. But you’d be surprised how much of a role ceiling insulation plays when it comes to indoor temperature regulation. This lack of attention to detail can be costly because without proper insulation your home could lose up to 35% of its heat during winter and gain the same amount of heat during summer - both of which translates to higher energy consumption to keep optimal indoor temperature.
Depending on your locality or need, there are different ceiling insulation types you choose is important. Not every roof is structured the same which is why you need to choose the right materials. Ceiling insulation can come in a variety of different materials that reflects their effectiveness, handling, and price. Here are some of them:
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Loose Fill
Loose fill insulators are mainly composed of loose fibers and fiber pellets. They’re used to fill in the cavities of your ceiling using specialized machines. Loose fill insulators come in three types, namely; cellulose, a mixture of fiberglass and rockwool, and the environmentally friendly green cellulose which is made up of recycled newspaper. Loose fill insulators can be a bit expensive as compared to other kinds of insulation materials. The main advantage of loose fill is the fact that it’s very efficient when it comes to insulation, providing your whole roof with airtight insulation coverage.
Blanket Insulators
Blanket insulators are made from mineral fibers and available in rolls of varying sizes. Blanket insulators are considered to be the cheapest among all types but require both precision and care in handling because they tend to get damaged quite easily. Aside from this, in terms of durability, blanket insulators may need replacement over time, which can lead to additional cost. However, putting that fact aside, blanket insulators will still be able to provide sufficient insulation coverage for your home.
Rigid Board Insulators
Rigid board insulators are made from fiberglass, polyurethane or polysterene and are available in varying thicknesses and lengths. The only issue about rigid board insulators is the fact that they’re quite vulnerable to fire and as such needs professional help in terms of installation and additional fireproofing safety measures. It can also be susceptible to damage over time and might need to be treated with weatherproofing to add to its durability.
Spray Foam insulators
Spray foam insulators are composed of two chemicals - a polymer agent and a foaming agent. When combined together these two chemicals turn into solid plastic sealing everything, making it an airtight alternative compared to other insulation types. The main advantage of spray foam insulators is the fact that it’s relatively easy enough to apply, lasts long, and very effective. The only downside of this method is that it can be expensive. Considering that you’ll need to cover the entire ceiling, the resulting cost can be a bit too much for those who are on a budget.
As you can see, choosing ceiling insulation types will depend on a lot of factors. Your needs, budget, location, and even roofing design will play a role in picking the right one, so be sure to take them into consideration before making any final decisions.
