Rigid Insulation

Advice On Rigid Insulation And Its Various Types

Rigid insulation is a great idea when you want to reduce your energy consumption and thus your cost. And it can make the home more comfortable as well. But before going into that, let us for a moment understand the value of insulation. You will need to keep the home well insulated to ensure that it remains cool in the summer and warm in chilly winters, and it can also make the air conditioning work better. In some cases, with insulation, there may not be any need for air conditioning too. Insulation can also help you cut down on the outside noise.

What Is Rigid Insulation?

This is a kind of building substance that provides thermal resistance for your roofs, walls and foundations. You can get the substance as extruded or formed sheets in different sizes. How much thermal resistance can be offered is measured by the R-Value of the sheathing material. If the value is on the higher side, it would mean that it can resist the temperature transfer more, and a low R-value indicates that air will be able to pass in or out of your home easily. So a higher R-value is always desirable.

The Different Kinds Of Rigid Insulation

There are 3 main types, and each one of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. MEPS or “molded expanded polystyrene” is made from sheets of liquid polymers. This is the most common type that you will find and this is the most affordable as well – it is popularly also known as beadboard. Next is XEPS or “extruded expanded polystyrene”. Though this is very expensive, but the material here is very dense and strong, and thus it is often used for roof installation jobs. The last type is the board made from polyurethane foam. This is the thinnest of all the types, and is ideal for small spaces at the home. Yes, it might be thin, but the material here is extremely strong, and the only deterrent is the slightly higher price. This is a popular choice in walls and in the attic. The polyurethane is also a good choice in extreme temperature conditions. Polyurethane foam is also a very popular choice.

Since all these three types have their own plus and minus points, you should first know in detail what they are capable of doing before choosing your material. Once you know this, you can decide which one of these best meets your needs. You can also speak to an expert and ask for professional advice in this matter.

Once you have the advice, you can do the planning and installation yourself, or you could also search for a contractor for the job. A DIY project can be a lot of fun if you are willing to learn about the finer details. But if you want less hassles and if you want a quicker job, then perhaps the contractor can do your rigid insulation better. The choice is naturally yours.