NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA Blog

Our Top-Notch Insulation Choices | Koala Insulation of Northwest Penns

We truly believe that insulation is one of the most important parts of your home. It not only helps your entire family stay comfortable no matter what is going on outside, but it also helps your home function more efficiently. An efficient home reduces your carbon footprint, protects the longevity of your home’s equipment and saves you significant money.

However, choosing the right insulation material for your space makes all the difference! We outline our three different insulation materials below with some of the benefits and drawbacks, so read on to learn more.

Blown-In Insulation Blown-in insulation is our insulation material that comes as a loose fill. It can be made of either fiberglass, cellulose or mineral wool. It is installed by quite literally blowing the insulation out of our long tubes and into your space.

Blown-in insulation is great for larger projects because it can be blown into place really quickly and provides fast coverage for big spaces like your attic floor or behind your walls.

Fiberglass and mineral wool are naturally fire-resistant and are a good mid-range insulation when it comes to R-value. Blown-in insulation has an R-value per inch of between 2.7 and 3.4. Fiberglass is made of glass, so it can be irritating to the skin if handled improperly. One cool thing about blown-in insulation is that the thickness can be controlled, so the efficiency of it can change depending on how tightly packed it is.

Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is also made out of fiberglass, but instead of leaving as loose fibers, it is woven into sheets. These sheets are what many people think of when they think of insulation! That’s because they are commonly found between wall studs and under floors. Batt insulation is budget-friendly and doesn’t settle once installed, meaning it will last for decades.

One drawback of batt insulation is that it is not as easily manipulated as other forms of insulation because it comes pre-made in those sheets. It can be a bit trickier to navigate around ductwork, wiring holes or electrical boxes.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is the result of a chemical reaction that occurs when two chemicals called isocyanate and polyol resin are combined. As this mixture is sprayed out of our hoses, it expands in

size and forms a tight seal against whatever it is applied to. This makes it a great option for tight angles and small spaces.

Closed-cell spray foam is more expensive to install, but that’s because it is incredibly durable and densely packed. This also means it has a really high R-value! It is water-impermeable and fire-resistant and can last for many years.

Open-cell spray foam is a bit easier on your budget because it is a little less densely packed and more flexible. This form of insulation is great at noise reduction, but is more susceptible to moisture issues.

All of our insulation materials shine in different ways, and we can figure out what material is right for your home and your current home’s needs. Is an insulation upgrade in your future? Is an insulation upgrade in your future? Contact us at Koala Insulation of Northwest Pennsylvania today.