Insulation - types, features, and flaws

Summary

This video introduces the different types of insulation and their proper installation to achieve optimal energy efficiency. It highlights the pros and cons of batt insulation, cotton, blown-in blanket systems, cellulose, spray-applied products, and spray foams. The importance of ensuring full contact with air barriers on all six sides of insulation is emphasized. It also covers radiant barriers and how different insulation types perform in varying climates, particularly in Louisiana. Special attention is given to moisture control, air sealing, and achieving the best R-value for energy savings.

Takeaways

• 🧱 Proper installation is key to insulation effectiveness, requiring smooth, full coverage on all six sides of a wall.
• 🛠 Batt insulation is common but often poorly installed. It should be friction fit to avoid voids and compression for optimal performance.
• 🌡 In North Louisiana, craft-faced batt insulation is suitable, but in South Louisiana, unfaced batt insulation is recommended to avoid moisture issues.
• 🔧 Blown-in blanket systems (BIBS) provide excellent coverage by using dense-packed loose-fill fiberglass, preventing voids and compression.
• 🌱 Cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans is a green, safe-to-handle option with similar R-values to other batts.
• 🔥 Spray-applied cellulose, made from recycled newspaper, resists mold and pests, absorbs moisture, and needs time to dry before wall closure.
• 🛡 Open-cell spray foam provides both insulation and air sealing, creating a tight building envelope but at a higher cost than batts.
• 💧 Closed-cell spray foam is more expensive but offers a higher R-value, vapor resistance, and is flood-resistant, ideal for certain climates and flood-prone areas.
• ☀️ Radiant barriers, like foil-faced foam or reflective roof materials, reduce solar heat gain and improve energy efficiency in hot climates.
• 🔧 Installing radiant barriers under roof decks or in vented attics is an easy, cost-effective retrofit solution to keep attics cooler.

Q & A

What is the key factor for insulation to be effective in a wall system?

For insulation to be effective, it needs to be in full contact with the air barrier on all six sides of the wall system.

Why is unfaced batt insulation recommended in South Louisiana?

Unfaced batt insulation is recommended in South Louisiana because the region doesn't need a vapor retarder. Moisture moves from the outside to the inside, and unfaced batts allow for better moisture flow and drying.

What are the disadvantages of using craft-faced batt insulation?

Craft-faced batt insulation can be poorly installed when contractors side staple it, causing compression and air voids, which reduce its effectiveness.

What is one of the benefits of cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans?

Cotton insulation is safe to handle without gloves and has a similar R-value to fiberglass batts, making it a more eco-friendly and user-friendly option.

What is the advantage of a blown-in blanket system (BIBS) over traditional batt insulation?

A BIBS system provides full coverage without voids or compression and works well around obstructions in walls, offering a more consistent R-value and better insulation performance.

How does spray-applied insulation improve energy performance?

Spray-applied insulation provides even coverage and fills gaps around obstructions, improving energy performance by creating an airtight seal and avoiding the gaps and voids that are common with other types of insulation.

What are the benefits of using cellulose insulation, particularly in Louisiana?

Cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspapers mixed with borates, is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and repels bugs. It can also absorb and release moisture, making it an excellent choice for Louisiana’s humid climate.

What are the main differences between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation?

Open-cell spray foam creates an air barrier and is vapor permeable, while closed-cell foam is denser, more expensive, has a higher R-value, and is flood-resistant, making it ideal for areas that require moisture protection or more insulation per inch.

Why is a radiant barrier useful in a hot climate like Louisiana?

A radiant barrier reduces solar heat gain, keeping attics cooler, lowering heat transfer to insulation, and protecting ductwork and air conditioning systems from excessive heat exposure.

What are some retrofitting options to improve insulation in a home?

Retrofitting options include adding radiant barriers under roof decks, which can be installed easily, even by homeowners, and help keep attic spaces cooler by reflecting radiant heat away from the house.