What Type Of Insulation Should I Use For Exterior Walls

Turn off the electricity then remove an electrical outlet cover for a view of exterior insulation.

What type of insulation should i use for exterior walls.

While there are additional considerations such as venting and moisture problems to take into account when you insulate under floors the united states department of energy recommends an r 25 rating in cold climates and an r 11 in warmer parts of the country. Because they have a high r value and can be used nearly anywhere in your home foam boards are one of the most common types of insulation. Complete with flexifast fastener technology our insulation is flexible fast and easy to use. Foam board or insulating boards are rigid panels of insulation that have a high r value.

Some key benefits of cavity wall insulation. While rated differently these two types of insulation are close enough in thickness that they can both fit into modern two by four wall systems. Best for floors foundation and basement walls interior and exterior wall sheathing and low sloped ceilings. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.

Vapour barriers help control the amount of moisture that passes through insulation and are commonly used when framing the exterior walls of a house. Extremely lightweight and easy to handle foilboard cavity wall insulation is outstanding for use in exterior walls including brick veneer cavity walls concrete walls and cladded walls. Check between floor joists if vented and check perimeter walls if unvented. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are r 13 to r 23 while r 30 r 38 and r 49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.

To add soundproofing weave a continuous roll of fiberglass insulation between staggered studs using insulation designed for 2x4 walls. If moisture from either direction is allowed to build up within the stud or cavity walls the heat conducting moisture will cause the insulation to lose its r value and allow mould and rot to set. Ground should be covered with a 6 mil polyethylene sheet. Insulate the garage s ceiling by using the recommended r.

If the walls and ceiling are closed in consider using loose fill insulation as this form of insulation uses a machine to get the insulation where it needs to go through a hole in the sheetrock. Weave loosely to fill the cavity but tightly enough so you won t have to compress the insulation when you install drywall. When you reach the end of the wall cut off the insulation. Use the same insulation to insulate the garage as that used for the home s exterior walls.

In most wall applications you will use r 13 or r 15 kraft faced fiberglass insulation rolls for these two by four stud walls. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.