A building is no different. Insulation is the number one cause of energy use (and loss) in both commercial and residential buildings. Having thin layers of protection, or sometimes no protection at all will cause a structure to bleed the conditioned air on the inside forcing your HVAC units into overdrive.
In simpler terms, it means to separate or prevent the transfer of electricity, heat, or sound. In the world of construction, this means that insulation is put in place to prevent conditioned air from escaping the structure while also keeping the external climate outside.
Insulation is typically installed on the underside of roofs, in the attic, behind the walls, and below the floors of a given structure. This insulation acts as an air-barrier between the air that is on the inside of a structure and the air that is on the outside. Having proper insulation is the critical component for any home or business owner interested in saving money on energy consumption. Before we look at the different types of insulation that can be used, it is also necessary to understand what an R-value is.
Now that we have a basic understanding of insulation and why R-value is essential, let’s jump into the heart of the discussion. At Shield, we specialize in Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation. To understand why we believe it is the absolute best, let’s look at the competition.
The 4 Primary Types of Insulation
The loose-fill insulation is blown into an area and allowed to settle into the nooks and crannies of the structure. The loose-fill insulation has an estimated R-value of 3.5 per inch of thickness. It is not considered an air-barrier. Loose-fill also contains boric acid which makes the insulation both fire and mold resistant.
- Fire Retardant
- Doesn’t Form an Air Barrier
- Messy Installation
Batt and Blanket Insulation
Batts and blanket insulation is the most common and widely available insulation today. The insulation is air-permeable which means it allows air to flow through it and has an R-value of 3.2 to 3.8 per inch. Batts and blankets are very versatile and can be used anywhere in the structure except the basement.
- Fire Resistant
- Degrading R-values
- Difficult to Retrofit
Rigid Board Insulation
Rigid board can range in R-value from 3.6 per inch with expanded polystyrene up to 6.0 per inch with polyisocyanurate. Once again, depending on the type of rigid board you choose, some are water resistant.
- Good R-value at the Upper End
- Creates Air-Barrier
- Must be Fit Perfect to Form Air-Barrier
- Susceptible to Sunlight
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray Polyurethane Foam, or SPF, insulation starts as two separate liquids. After the two liquids come together in the spray gun and are sprayed in the designated area, it will immediately begin to expand. Once set, spray foam insulation forms an almost impenetrable air-barrier for the structure.
There are two types of SPF insulation, Open Cell, and Closed Cell. (You can learn more about the differences here.) Open cell is less dense and more affordable with an R-value around 3.5 per inch. Closed cell is much denser with an R-value around 6.5 per inch. Closed cell spray foam insulation, specifically, forms an unprecedented air barrier, is a vapor retarder and adds an amazing amount of structural strength for a building as well as offers the best R-value of any insulation on the market today.
- Very Noticeable Energy Savings on Average
- Very Long Life-Span
- More Expensive Than Alternatives
- 24-72 Hour Waiting Period to Re-Occupy
Making the Right Choice
It is in your best interest to choose an option that is going to both protect your building while also reducing energy consumption and utility costs. For decades the founder at Shield has been constructing buildings in Texas. We realize how vital insulation is. Spray Foam Insulation is the only option that forms a barrier which keeps the extreme temperatures out, the conditioned temperatures in, and can resist moisture. In our minds, it is not only the best option, it is the only option.