The Different Types of House Insulation: An Overview

Any given house is bound to have more than one type of insulation, depending on the part and purpose. In this blog, roofing and siding replacement contractor Moss Roofing shares an overview of these types of insulation and how they’re used.

Blanket Batts and Rolls

You’re probably familiar with blanket insulation, being the most common type of insulation used in homes. This type of insulation is sold in large batts or rolls and is made of mineral wool, fiberglass, or natural fibers like sheep’s wool. Some manufacturers sell blanket insulation pre-lined with paper, which acts as a moisture barrier. Blanket insulation is affordable, sold by many suppliers and is easy to install. However, it needs to be installed at 10 to 12 inches thick to be effective, which makes it difficult to install on existing structures.

Rigid Foam

Rigid foam or foam board is sold as large rigid panels, which makes it ideal for vertical components such as exterior walls and roofs. It’s one of today’s best-performing insulation options. While it’s easy to cut and use for new wall installations, using it as replacement insulation for exterior wall or roof repair is another thing. The drywall or interior side of the roof must be torn down before these boards can be installed, which means you will need to factor in the costs of hanging a new drywall.

Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation

Perhaps the most popular type of loose-fill insulation is the pink one offered by manufacturer Owens Corning®. This insulation is made of fiberglass and is simply layered onto the attic floor loosely, which means it’s not the best option if you want an attic with finished floor. Blown-in insulation, on the other hand, is made of cellulose from recycled paper. This type of insulation is installed wet using a blower. Despite their differences, both materials have a few things in common: they’re both installed using blowers, are made using recycled materials and are typically used in attics.

Expanding Foam

Expanding foam is installed as a liquid, which expands as it cures. Most of today’s roofs are equipped with expanding foam insulation, which allows for finished attic floors. Expanding foam is also used for window replacement, as it can seal the gap between the window frame and the wall opening.

Moss Roofing is your leading provider of insulation and siding repair services. Give us a call at (317) 207-4778 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Fishers and Indianapolis, Indiana.