When you are building a home or doing a remodel with Gerard Construction, we will walk you through parts of the construction process you never really thought about. While you may have Pinterest boards filled with cabinet hardware, wall colors, and your favorite types of flooring, we doubt there is much about which type of insulation you prefer. Insulation is typically installed in the attic and in the exterior walls. According to homereference.net, the attic is the cause of 25% of a home’s heat loss or gain. There are two main types to consider and each comes with their own benefits.

Spray Foam Insulation

Chemicals are mixed and the reaction that takes place is what creates spray foam insulation. This product is sprayed into place and expands to fill the spaces between joists and beams. Because of the firmness of the spray foam, it also makes good sound insulation and is very highly rated for energy efficiency. Additionally, because it expands, it can insulate every nook and cranny, even into existing wall spaces. That being said, it is a much larger investment and can only be installed by a trained professional into your attic or home.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is the most traditional form of insulation and comes in large batts. The fluffy pink product is rolled into place and protected by brown paper. It consists of spun glass fibers and can be installed into your walls and attic very quickly. This insulation requires no special skills to install or put into place and can easily be accessed on the market. For most of your insulation needs, fiberglass works well, but there may be some nooks and crannies that are difficult to cover. Fiberglass insulation can be cut and the pieces patched together for these irregular areas, but there may be gaps in your coverage. Additionally, it is impossible to add fiberglass insulation into existing walls, if you were looking to increase your home’s energy efficiency without opening walls.

Which Is Best?

At the end of the day, insulation is important for keeping the heat in or out, depending on the season, of your home. Both types will work well when properly installed in your home, which we guarantee. The best of the two really depends on your needs. If you are wanting a smaller remodel and adding in insulation to existing walls, spray foam is the only way we can provide this without tearing up your space. If we are building from scratch and you are focusing on other areas of your budget, you may want to choose fiberglass as a way to cut costs while still getting the insulation you need. That being said, if you are looking to save money in your monthly budget down the line, spray foam will provide savings in your energy bill right away.

To go over your Pinterest board with our team, and to add a few more search inquiries about things you haven’t considered yet, schedule a time to meet with our Gerard Construction team. We have the expertise to walk you through every decision in the home building or renovating process and will help your build the home you love!