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Insulation

It’s taken years for the building community and the public to recognize the value of putting the right amount of insulation in a new house, or adding insulation to an existing house. But that day has arrived. Insulation not only means added energy efficiency at a time of rising energy costs, but also added comfort.

Building codes now require a certain amount of insulation that varies by climate: the colder it is, the more insulation you need. But the codes don’t tell builders or homeowners what kind of insulation to use, and manufacturers have invented new products and tinkered with old ones as they find ways to deliver products suited to the application and the budget.

Once limited to rolls of pink or yellow fiberglass, builders now have choices: spray polyurethane foam, cellulose made from old newsprint or cardboard, batts of wool and denim, mineral wool, rigid foam panels of polystyrene, even insulating foundations made from concrete-filled foam blocks. There are even spray foam insulation kits or blown in insulation machines for rent for intrepid homeowners who want to avoid the cost of hiring an insulation contractor.

As buyers demand houses that are more energy efficient, builders now have more effective ways of delivering. At the same time, research and experience in the field are helping contractors bring old houses up to snuff by sealing off air leaks and adding insulation in a process called weatherization.

A growing list of insulation options has brought with it a greater chance of installing insulation incorrectly. As some builders have discovered, mistakes can be costly. Fine Homebuilding’s extensive list of expert authors will keep you on track, helping not only with choosing the right insulation but making sure it’s installed for the greatest possible gains.

  • Protecting Foundations From Frost

    Protecting Foundations From Frost

    Code-offered alternatives to digging below the frost line.

  • EPS foam raft

    High-Performance Raft Slab

    This versatile frost-protected shallow foundation is adaptable for different wall systems and climates.

  • environmentally friendly spray foam

    Is There Environmentally Friendly Spray Foam Insulation?

    HFO-blown foam is significantly better than HFC-blown foam when it comes to global warming potential, but no spray foam has zero environmental impact.

  • FHB House ep5

    Double-Stud Walls and Insulated Window Bucks

    Senior editor Patrick McCombe is back at the 2020 FHB House remodel to learn about the wall-insulation details and see how to install triple-pane European windows.

  • Getting Interior Air-Barrier Details Right

    Installation of the Intello Plus membrane on the inside of the third floor of the 2020 FHB House happens in conjunction with additional wall framing to get a good air-seal and to make room for lots of cellulose insulation.

  • Podcast 291: Overdriven Nails, Indoor-Air Quality, and What is This Attic Insulation?

    Kiley, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about homemade blower doors and a supposed urban exodus before taking listener questions about overdriven fasteners in Zip System sheathing, unknown attic insulation, and indoor-air quality.

  • Removing Old Insulation

    You can remove fiberglass batts yourself, but you'll need some professional tools and always keep safety in mind.

  • Maximize Insulation in Minimum Headers

    Alternative code-approved header designs for better energy performance.

  • Optimizing Occupant Comfort

    Natural materials and ecologically sound building practices define this 1600-sq.-ft. timber-frame home.

  • Working With ZIP R-Sheathing

    There's a lot to like about these insulating panels, and a lot to learn about building with them.

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