Insulation Rebates

Utah Insulation Rebates

Rebates for
Low Cost
Utah Insulation

Call Today > (801) 758-0054

Insulation-Rebates-Button
  • Products & Services
  • Insulation Information
  • Contact Us

Homefix: More on insulation and R-values

November 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Q: I recently read your story about insulating an attic room and you mentioned using materials with a high R-value. Can you tell me what the various R-values are for the different materials available? Should I also insulate the floor joists in my crawl?

A: For those who missed this article, the R-value stands for the resistance of a material to thermal transfer. The higher the R-value of an insulating material, the better it is at conserving energy. The home stores I visit offer a variety of insulating materials, but the most common do-it-yourself insulating materials are: loose-fill fiberglass, Kraft-faced or foil-faced fiberglass batts, loose-fill cellulose; foam panels; and expanding spray foams.

Other insulating materials such as high-density fiberglass batts, mineral wools, cotton, sheep’s wool, hemp and straw are not normally used by the DIY homeowner (energy.gov/energysaver/articles/insulation-materials).

Spray foams are tricky to use and should not come into contact with your skin. Low-expansion foam insulating products usually are used around window and door openings or other narrow areas too small to insert fiberglass or cellulose insulation. The R-value of a common cell polyurethane spray foam is R-3.6 per inch.

Adding insulation to an attic is a simple DIY project requiring the help of at least one friend or relative, but the job is easier if three people are involved. Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in my area will rent or even loan the equipment necessary to add a blown-in loose-fill insulating material of fiberglass or cellulose.

Loose-fill fiberglass has an average R-value of 2.5 to 3.7 per inch of added material. Cellulose has an average R-value of 3.0 to 3.8 per inch. You can add either product to the existing insulation in your attic, but I would recommend that you add a similar material to what’s there now.

Do not compact the insulation you’re working with by walking on the new insulation. Compaction dramatically lowers the R-value and the usefulness of the product.

If you have fiberglass batts with a Kraft paper or similar that is facing the attic (this is incorrect installation), avoid adding insulation over the top until the paper or entire fiberglass batt is removed.

Should you insulate between the floor joists in a crawlspace? According to a 2004 research report by Joseph Lstiburek of the Building Science Corporation, “Crawlspaces insulated on the perimeter are warmer and drier than crawlspaces insulated between the crawlspace and the house.”

The perimeter walls of the crawlspace and the rim joists at the ends of each floor joist should be insulated, not the floor joists. In most cases, I find the insulation that was installed in the floor joists was upside down, providing a vapor trap that can lead to mold and offensive odors as well as a nesting area for pests.

(Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector. Contact him at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 268, Evansville, IN 47702 or barnett@barnettassociatesinc.com.)

Get all your favorite Home & Garden news by following our Home & Garden feed on Twitter! Click Here!

&nbsp

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact Us

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Phone Number

    City

    Your Message

    Insulation Rebates Utah
    Dominion Rebates (Questar Rebates) for Insulation
    Rocky Mountain Power Rebates
    Utility Rebates
    Insulation Materials
    Blown-In Cellulose In Attic Insulation Utah
    Spray Foam Insulation
    Choosing Spray Foam Insulation
    Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation
    Closed Cell Spray Foam
    Spray Foam Insulation Pricing
    Spray Foam vs Rigid Foam
    Injection Foam Insulation
    Fiberglass Insulation
    Rigid Foam Insulation
    Cellulose Insulation
    Rockwool Insulation
    Batt Insulation
    Attic Radiant Barrier
    Radiant Barrier
    Asbestos Insulation
    Air Sealing
    Attic Air Sealing
    Basement Air Sealing
    Duct Air Sealing
    Backdraft Dampers
    Chimney Caps
    Ice Dams
    What Needs Insulation
    How Insulation Works
    Attic Insulation Utah
    Types of Attic Insulation
    Foam Attic Insulation
    Fiberglass Attic Insulation
    Attic Roof Insulation
    Attic Vents & Fans
    Attic Energy Efficiency
    Roof Insulation
    Rafter Insulation
    Basement Insulation
    Best Basement Insulation
    Basement Floor Insulation
    Basement Wall Insulation
    Basement Ceiling Insulation
    Wall Insulation
    Foam Wall Insulation
    Fiberglass Wall Insulation
    Rigid Foam Wall Insulation
    Duct Insulation
    Crawl Space Insulation
    Crawl Space Floor Insulation
    Sealing & Insulationg a Crawl Space
    Ceiling Insulation
    Cathedral Ceiling Insulation
    Loft Ceiling Insulation
    Floor Insulation
    Floor Above Crawl Space
    Recessed Lighting
    Garage Insulation
    Garage Door Insulation
    Garage Roof Insulation
    Garage Ceiling Insulation
    Garage Wall Insulation
    Pipe Insulation
    Weatherization
    Weather-stripping
    Winterizing
    Insulation Information
    Insulation R-Value
    Attic Mold
    My Home Has Air Leaks
    Home Energy Audit
    Blower Door Test
    Contact Us

    Home Insulation

    By adding more insulation to your home, you not only save dollars each month on your utility bills, but you will be able to keep your home more comfortable throughout the year.

    Insulation Saves Money

    Save time and money and let the utility companies pay for some of the insulation upgrades in your home. Adding more insulation will help you save money by lowering your utility bills and make your home more comfortable.

    Where Our Customers Are
    • Murray, Utah
    • North Salt Lake, UT
    Copyright © 2023
    Visit us on social media