Benefits Of Foam Board Insulation
Benefits of Foam Board Insulation
While in the past, fiberglass insulation was the choice of those who wanted to eliminate the escape of heat or cool air from their home, a growing number of home-owners today are opting for something else: foam board insulation.
There actually are several different types of foam board insulation. Each of these has its own distinct uses where it excels. Let's examine these different types of foam board insulation and how they differ from one another.
The first type is polystyrene. This kind of insulation uses pressure and deep heat to old into shape. Polystyrene is used most often in walls and for attic insulation. Even though it tends to be a bit more expensive than the other kinds of boam board insulation, it's chosen by many because it's more durable and considerably stronger than the others.
Our second type is rigid foam insulation. This kind is made so that foam beads expand to fit, thereby creating a better insulated area. You'll find this kind of insulation used in everyday products. Moisture is absorbed with tihs insulation because of bead spacing.
Before you choose rigid foam insulation, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Te first is flame retarder It takes a lot to ignite this product, but once it's ignited, it burns quite steadily. According to safety guidelines, you must use flame-resistant materials such as dry wall, panel gypsum wall board or dry wall over the insulation.
Rigid foam insulation is also known to deteriorate when in direct sunlight. Because if this, if you install attic insulation, you should protect it with tar, acrylic silicone, roofing felt or rubberized paint asphalt.
And finally, bugs enjoy making their nests in this kind of insulation, so if you plan to insulate floors or a basement, be sure to use insulation that has been treated with insecticide.
And the third kind of foam boards are polyiso and polyisocyanurate foam boards. Because of its durability and strength, it can withstand great extremes in temperatures. This makes it good for installing attic insulation. Also, this kind has a great moisture barrier if it's applied along with aluminum foil facing.
The foam insulators we've discussed are excellent substitutes for either fiberglass or cellulose. The cost tends to be higher than for fiberglass or batt insulations. However, foam insulations give you a higher performance. This means that in the long run, you will likely spend less money and save more money on your utility bills.
Foam board insulation, as we've seen, offers several choices in just how to insulate your home. Some are better than others, but ultimately, the choice of what to select will have to rest with you. Just understand that whichever one you choose, you can rest assured that you will see significant savings on how much energy you burn --and how much money you burn in the process. Yes, one foam solution might be better for one person, but none of them is a bad product. It just depends on what your particular needs are.
