Why Is Fall the Best Time to Insulate Your Home? | Koala Insulation

Why Is Fall the Best Time to Insulate Your Home?

While it's always important to have a well-insulated home, there are many reasons why the fall is the best time to check your attic insulation. Depending on the amount of ordinary wear and tear, you may need insulation removal services or new insulation materials altogether. 

Still, it's hard for many homeowners to decide what time of year to check on their insulation. Not only that, but it's also challenging to choose the correct types of insulation if you discover that you can’t wait another day to fix the issue.

So, with that in mind, here's a breakdown of why the start of fall is ideal for insulation installation, repair, or replacement.

Why check on home insulation during fall and not other seasons?

Fall is certainly the most valuable time to check on insulation. Mainly, it's a prime opportunity to save on energy bills over the winter when energy costs are highest.

A home's energy efficiency relies on proper installation; however, it's ordinary for the materials to degrade or get damaged by the elements over time.

For example, if a winter storm causes damage to the roof of your home - and you don't repair it right away - water damage from melting snow and ice can seep into the attic and down into interior walls, ruining insulation as well as drywall.

If this happens, you'll most likely find it difficult to find a contractor who can do the job at a reasonable price. The insulation price doesn't necessarily go up during the winter; the problem is that it'll be hard to find a contractor who isn't completely booked.

Another reason is that poor insulation lets warm air seep through walls, windows, and door frames, so when a Pennsylvania winter comes along, you need the most protection to get the most life out of your furnace or heater.

What are the three main types of insulation available?

Generally, you'll find three main types of insulation available at any hardware store, such as:

• Spray foam
• Blow-in
• Batt

Let's look at each one to demonstrate critical differences...

Spray foam

Spray foam insulation works well when you need to fill in any cracks or crevices in the attic. Unlike ordinary insulation, spray foam insulation won't compress over time. Not only do you get new insulation, but you're also significantly improving the air sealing in your home, more so than any other type of insulation.

Blown-in

Not to be confused with spray foam insulation, blown-in insulation is another alternative to traditional insulation.

Honestly, spray foam isn't the best choice every time, so that's why blown-in insulation is still around.

These materials won't make an attic airtight, but they will make it much easier for insulation to get into those hard-to-reach areas (e.g., attics with roofing slopes). Best of all, it's affordable.

Batt

Aside from blown-in and spray foam insulation, batt insulation is the traditional way to go.

You instantly recognize batt insulation by its wiry composition, which consists of fiberglass and rock wool. Generally speaking, it's the most common insulation material you'll find in older homes built before spray foam technology became widespread.

Your home may also have radiant barriers or reflective insulation for added protection, but overall, these types of insulation are the most common.

They're readily available online and at brick-and-mortar shops, yet buying insulation requires knowing the difference between our values.

What do R-values mean when shopping for insulation?

When you shop for insulation either online or in person, you'll find products organized by our values. Essentially, an insulation’s R-value is a measure of how much protection the insulation material provides.

Insulation varies by density and thickness, so products with a high R-value will do a better job at keeping the heat in and out of the home.

Ultimately, checking on your insulation is an easy win and a low-hanging fruit to pluck when you want to improve your home's energy efficiency – and keep it warm and cozy for the entire family as well.

Need an estimate from a team of professionals who offer an excellent value for the price? Contact us today and get a free estimate!