Periodically, all old homes require refreshing of the insulation in the attic and walls. Over time, the original insulation used to keep the home protected from the weather can break down or become less effective. Updating the insulation in the attic of an old home can help keep the home at a comfortable temperature, but to make the home as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible, the insulation in the walls also needs to be refreshed.
Don’t Forget Walls When Updating Insulation
When homeowners consider routine updates to their home, they often overlook the importance of inspecting the insulation in the walls, as well as the insulation in the attic or crawl space. Although updating the insulation in the home’s walls can be more complicated and expensive, the investment will ultimately pay off in increased comfort and energy efficiency.
Getting Your Home Evaluated
The first step in updating your wall insulation is to conduct a home energy audit. You will need to have a qualified Building Performance Institute (BPI)- certified energy auditor conduct an energy audit of your home. The tests that the auditor performs on your home will help assess the amount of insulation your home has and identify areas where new insulation is needed. They will also use an infrared camera to compare the temperature in different exterior walls of your home and identify cavities that lack insulation.
Find A Qualified Professional
After your home has been professionally evaluated, you will need to find a qualified professional contractor who can install insulation into the walls of your home. If your home has removable siding, it will be relatively easy to add insulation. However, if your home doesn’t have easy-to-removeeasy-to-remove siding, a contractor can blow insulation into the walls through small holes made in the interior walls. In most cases, insulation can be added without having to break open entire walls.
Next, finding an insulation contractor who understands how to update insulation in a home’s walls is essential. A professional insulation contractor can evaluate the exterior walls of the home to determine the feasibility of adding insulation. Typically, homes with removable siding are the best candidates for adding insulation to the walls. If it is not practical to go through the exterior side, it is possible to go through the interior side of the walls. Although this can create more disruption to homeowners, the process is similar.
Choosing The Right Material
Two different insulation materials can be blown into the wall of an older home: spray foam and cellulose insulation. Spray foam is a low-cost option, but homeowners who want their insulation to last should consider cellulose insulation instead.
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper mixed with boric acid to form small pellets. It’s an environmentally friendly material that is resistant to pests, water, and mold. Cellulose insulation is faster to install and requires fewer holes in walls compared to spray foam. Cellulose insulation also offers superior soundproofing compared to spray foam insulation.
Find Out Your Insulation Options Today
To ensure your older home is as energy-efficient as possible, reducing your energy bills and maintaining a comfortable temperature, contact the experts at Anderson Insulation today. We can help you find a qualified inspector and select the ideal insulation option for your home.