Blocking Heat from Your Ceilings

A ceiling insulation is one of the most cost effective energy efficiency measures. Not everybody knows the importance of the ceiling insulation in the part of their houses. Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold. A poor ceiling insulation allows substances (heat or cold) to escape outside through those tiny gaps and cracks that can appear in the long run. This can be taken care of with proper insulation added which is however only one of the potential benefits of ceiling insulation.

These are the common types of ceiling insulation:

Bulk insulation

Bulk ceiling insulation comes in two types:

Segments, which fit between the joists above your ceiling.

Blankets that are designed to be rolled out across the top of the ceiling and the joists.

Blankets

Blanket insulation consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. Blanket insulation that covers ceiling joists prevents extra heat loss through the timber joists. When you’re topping up existing insulation, it can be easier to install blanket insulation than segments because you can just roll it over the top of what’s there already. Insulation that covers ceiling joists can make it harder for a person to move around the ceiling space though. Blanket installation usually costs less than other types of insulation.

Segments

If you install segments between joists, you need to put in higher R-value insulation to make up for the heat that gets lost through the timber

Loose-fill insulation

Loose-fill insulation is blown onto the ceiling. Loose fills are most commonly sold in bags and are blown into building cavities using special equipment. It can be an option if there’s not enough space in your roof to move around and install bulk insulation. Otherwise we recommend using bulk insulation (blankets or segments). Its safety, effectiveness and durability depend highly on the quality of the material used as well as the installer's equipment and experience. As it can settle or move around over time, the insulation can get into contact with the roof or roof underlay and cause moisture problems.

Proper ventilation in the attic is another factor to a good insulation job. It lets your attic breathe, evaporating moisture in the winter and keeping it cooler in summer. If you install a vapor barrier, you need one square foot of free vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor area. Without a vapor barrier, you need twice as much ventilation. Vents should be located on opposite ends of the attic, with some near the top and others near the bottom to allow for good cross-ventilation. Whenever you install a ceiling insulation, don’t forget to consider the R values. The R value is a measure of a material's resistance to heat flow (thermal resistance). The higher the R value, the greater the resistance to heat transfer, the greater the insulating effect and the greater the energy savings. Different insulation products with the same R value will provide similar insulation performance, regardless of thickness or the type of material. Complete and proper ceiling coverage is essential to the performance of ceiling insulation.

Putting Wall Insulations in Houses Or Buildings

In a house or building constructions, many forms of insulation are included as a means of reducing the transmission of thermal energy through walls, ceilings and even floors. Basically, this helps keep heated interior space warmer in the winter and air-conditioned spaces cooler in the summer. Reducing the transmission of thermal energy not only makes spaces more comfortable, but it is also essential to controlling energy costs. All building materials have an inherent insulating property, usually measured on a scale known as R-value, but additional materials are integrated into the building construction specifically to add insulating value to the walls, floors, and ceilings. A good wall insulation halts the flow of heat into and out of the home which makes your home more energy efficient all year round. Insulation acts to keep both heat and air conditioning in the house, meaning your HVAC system will not have to work as hard and your energy bills will be lower. Insulation on exterior walls puts a blanket-like barrier between your living area and extreme outdoor temperatures. Insulating your walls can prevent this by limiting air movement, enabling you to save up to 40 percent in heating and cooling bills. A wall insulation can also reduce annoying sounds from outdoors and it reduces sound carrying from one room to another. With a wall insulation, you’re reducing sound transmission and maximizing your enjoyment of every room in your house. With insulated interior walls, there’s less worry about whether your home is too loud from the neighbors as the sound will not carry as much as when your walls are insulated.

Types of wall insulation that builders use:

Bulk insulation

Bulk insulation comes a form as segments or blankets. Segments are pre-cut to small standard pieces of insulation whereas blanket products come in rolls. Bulk insulation can be made from various materials including polyester, wool, and glass wool. Whatever material you opt for; a good wall insulation product should meet the correct thickness, highest R-value possible for the thickness of your walls and the right width for the stud spacing in your walls.

Injected or blown-in insulation

Injected or blown-in insulation is pumped into existing walls through small holes in the cladding or lining. It can be made from various materials such as urea formaldehyde foam, wool, glass wool fibers or polystyrene beads. Before putting in any type of insulation into existing walls, it is very critical to make sure the wall cladding is weather-tight and to check if there is a wall underlay behind the cladding. This is difficult to assess without opening the walls, so consult a registered or accredited building surveyor before you consider injected or blown-in insulation.

Also, you should put wall insulation into your interior walls of rooms that you do not use all the time. Heating or cooling these areas can be expensive, so wall insulation will help reduce energy costs. Ultimately, all exterior walls in your house should be insulated to effectively reduce the flow of heat in and out of the home. Insulating exterior walls should always be a priority over insulating the interior of the home. Putting a wall insulation can make a big difference within your home.