Household insulation is arguably the most effective way to prevent energy loss in a home. Unfortunately, many buildings don’t meet government standards such as the requirements for ‘Energy Star’ compliance. Granted, many of these homes were built in an era where energy standards did not exist or were much easier to comply with. This results in the homeowner having to make changes so the home can be heated and cooled as efficiently as possible.
One choice for Insulation in Columbus Ohio is a sprayed filler. This is often a cellulose material, but it may also be fiberglass or mineral wool. The latter is a mix of recycled materials that are shredded into a type of wool that blocks the flow of air. The filler is typically placed in the walls by creating a hole in the exterior wall and blowing the filler inside. After the space is filled, the small hole is repaired, and the siding put back into place.
Most air loss is actually through the roof, and part of the problem is the accumulated heat in this space. The heat can be vented, but to keep it out of the lower portion of the building requires the use of Insulation in Columbus Ohio. That is the application of batting or spray foam. The former is the first choice when the insulation needs to be placed in the ceiling joists because the insulation can be applied extra thick when necessary. Spray foam is often the method of choice when the insulation needs to cover an uneven surface or fill in cracks. This is because the foam begins as a liquid polymer and expands after it is sprayed into place.
There are two types of spray on foam. The first is the open cell method which provides an R-factor of roughly 3.7. The second is the closed cell spray that provides an R-factor higher than 6. The latter provides the best barrier because of the higher R factor and the durability of the foam.
Another area where some homeowners need to focus is the basement. A basement without insulation is like a heat sink that pulls the warmth from the building. If the basement has been finished, then the walls probably provide some insulation, but there should still be some barrier between the different levels, so the concrete doesn’t steal the heat from the rest of the structure.