WEST HOUSTON Blog

How To Improve R-Value With Better Insulation Material

Insulation 101: R-Value

The insulation installed throughout a structure helps to improve temperature regulation and climate control capabilities in a building. This is because the material is designed to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or how easily heat can enter and exit through something.

When you don’t have regular evaluations and maintenance performed on your material, plenty of important factors may go unnoticed. The insulation could have been poorly installed, recently damaged, or even simply deteriorated over time. This contributes to irregular temperatures and discomfort from drafts or cold spots. 

To find out how effectively your insulation is able to reduce heat transfer, the material is measured by its R-value, which is short for resistance value. Typically, a higher R-value means it’s going to be better at maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the house. Deterioration and damages reduce a material’s R-value and there are a few common warning signs that indicate you may need to schedule an evaluation: 

• One room or a side of the house that is regularly colder or hotter than other areas
• Drafts or cold spots
• Poor indoor air quality
• High energy bills and maintenance fees

Keep your home safe and comfortable by recognizing these signs early on. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to ignore some of these conditions and instead write them off as "typical seasonal changes" or effects of extreme weather. Take the initiative to reduce discomfort and improve savings by regularly evaluating and updating the insulation and air sealing throughout your home.

How To Choose Insulation For The Best R-Value

There are many different insulation types, materials, and ways to install them. This also means that each has a different R-value. A quick example would be the difference between fiberglass batts and blown-in fiberglass. While the loose-fill material typically averages about R-2.7, fiberglass batts can range from R-3.1 to R-3.7.

Some homeowners make the mistake of thinking that just because a certain type of insulation has a higher value, that automatically makes it the better choice. This isn’t necessarily true. While a higher base R-value generally means less material needs to be installed, lower-value materials still have benefits that contribute to the comfort and safety of your home. These products can be advantageous when installed in different areas of a building. 

As you talk with local insulation professionals about your insulation choices, these kinds of additional factors can help contribute to a comfortable environment alongside the R-value. A great example would be the differences between two very different insulation types and materials, like closed-cell spray foam and blown-in cellulose.

Closed-cell spray foam has one of the highest R-values out of your options, with an average of R-6.9 per inch. Meanwhile, blown-in cellulose has an average of R-3.4. While closed-cell spray foam can be applied in between beams, ceiling joists, and even on the roof of some buildings, cellulose works better in between floor joists and inside walls. It’s important to consider adding both of these materials to key areas in your house in order to maximize your energy efficiency.

What R-Value Do You Need?

It’s important to remember that R-value doesn’t stay the same throughout the lifespan of the insulation. The material will start to deteriorate which also reduces the R-value. The good news is this helps take out any guessing games for evaluations: you can measure a reduction in efficiency. 

Although some insulation materials have the ability to last up to 15 years, there are many different problems that can increase the potential rate of deterioration. The most significant contributors are the unfortunately common issues of leaks from the roof or foundation.

Regularly evaluate your material with the help of local professionals to locate insulation and air sealing that may be damaged or deteriorated. This reduces the risks posed to your household’s safety and air quality. With our team at Koala Insulation of West Houston, we inspect the area and R-value to take into account any significant reduction that may harm your environment. Our experts can provide you with the necessary information to help you and your household better understand the unique needs of your home that can influence what R-value is necessary.

A professional evaluation takes a closer look at your home’s insulation and air sealing to determine the current condition. We can also locate potential problems, checking for signs of mold, pest infestation, and other hazards. Our team at Koala Insulation of West Houston has a thorough process in order to effectively remove the old material, clean and prepare the space, and add new insulation to restore the necessary R-value.

Understanding Your Home’s R-Value Needs

Unfortunately, there isn't exactly a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to measuring the best R-value. Your house is going to have different needs from every other building in your climate zone, city, and even around the block! Having some background knowledge of the unique requirements of your structure is important on top of developing a better understanding of the insulation material inside your home.

The criteria that influence the needs of a building are impacted by a number of different variables. Industry experts need to take into account everything from the climate zone you're living in to the regular habits of your household. Furthermore, each area in the house that's in need of insulation is going to have different requirements as well.

This is why it’s so important to correctly calculate the current R-value of your home. This required R-value measurement isn’t necessarily a simple DIY project if you’re unfamiliar with the space and process. Industry leaders like the Department of Energy have regional guidelines and estimates, but these won't offer the same specialization that's provided by an in-depth evaluation of your personal environment. 

When a building is constructed, a professional fills the space with insulation and air sealing per building codes. But they likely only hit the basic requirements, taking into account industry regulations, regional standards, climate conditions, and national recommendations. Every room in your home can have different R-value needs and different deterioration rates, even within the walls and under crawl spaces. 

Find Insulation Savings With Your West Houston Experts

Enlisting the help of an insulation technician gives you the opportunity to raise your R-value to keep your area comfortable. This is especially important if you haven’t had your insulation updated in a few years, or, the worst case scenario in newer homes, since construction. This expert perspective helps by providing you with more information while also saving you money in the long run by cutting out energy waste and improving energy efficiency.

Contact Koala Insulation of West Houston today to schedule your free evaluation and learn more about how upgraded materials can impact your environment.