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Insulation and Weatherizing

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.

  • blower door test

    The Blower Door: Why Isn’t It Called the Sucker Door? And Other Tough Questions

    In this archived webinar, building-science expert Peter Yost shares what he's learned over years of using blower doors, IR cameras, and other diagnostic tools so you can make the most of your test results.

  • airtight drywall gasket foam
    Sponsored Content

    Create Airtight Drywall With Great Stuff Flexible Drywall Gasket

    This water-based foam gasket offers a clean and simple way to get a consistent, reliable air-seal between your framing and drywall.

  • How to Find Air Leaks in Your House

    A blower door isn't just for measuring how tight a building is—you can also use it to search for gaps and holes that need air-sealing.

  • Easier Approach to Air-Sealing

    Is There an Easier Approach to Air-Sealing?

    Bring a house to code-required airtightness in just hours with AeroBarrier.

  • Sponsored Content

    RHH Versi-Foam Application and Safety

    This video explains how to apply and use Versi-Foam safely, with chemical-resistant safety goggles, an approved respirator, chemical-resistant protective clothing, and nitrile gloves.

  • Create a Dry Space Under Your Deck

    See 4 options for redirecting rainwater so that you can create storage or living spaces below an elevated porch or deck.

  • Protect Your Outdoor Electrical Outlets

    Get the information you need to select the right weatherproof boxes and covers for your exterior power receptacles.

  • Use and Care for a Professional Foam Gun

    Remodeler Kiefer Limeback shares tips on how to select the right spray-foam gun, how to fill gaps of all shapes and sizes, and how to clean and store a foam gun.

  • Podcast 200: Home Shops, Working Lead-Safe, and Keeping Cool in Carolina

    The regular team discusses pole building vs. slab-on-grade, reducing lead exposure, and using batts for a double-stud wall.

  • Podcast 193: Understanding Permeability, Insulating Behind Fiberboard Sheathing, and Building a Patio Door

    Rob, Matt, and Patrick get feedback about rain-barrel spigots and soil pressure before answering questions about WRBs, air-sealing walls sheathed with fiberboard, and making French-style patio doors from scratch.

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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

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