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Does the Brand of Insulation Matter?

The type of insulation you use in your home largely depends on the area you are trying to seal. Fiberglass batts are great for garages, basements and attics. Spray foam and blown-in insulation are good for seals and leaks in the wall or roof. Before selecting an insulation material, you must evaluate the area. Once you’ve decided on a treatment, the process of selecting the material begins. Now that you’re deeper in the rabbit hole, you will start to look at what brand of insulation is best for your project.

As a beginner, you will not know much about insulation materials and you may go for highly publicized brands. This is a good idea in theory, but it’s not always the best option. Name brand does not always equal quality. It is important to learn about the different types and brands of insulation before making a purchase. By thoroughly doing your research, you will save time and money in the long run.

 

The R-Value

Insulation materials vary in effectiveness, meaning it’s possible to choose a brand that won’t properly insulate your home. To help you find the right insulation for your home, the Department of Energy has created a mathematical measure of each material’s heat resistance. This measure is called R-value, also known as resistance value. Higher R-values mean higher levels of heat resistance.

R-values are important because they help buyers pick insulation that fits their environment. If you live in a warm climate you will not need insulation with a high R-value. Homeowners who live in cold climates need insulation with the highest R-values.

Typically, R-value is measured by inch because insulation is applied by square foot. R-values vary by brand and material. Materials such as polyurethane and phenolic foam have high R-values, for example.

 

Brands

The Department of Energy’s rating system means that there are basic regulations that each type of insulation must adhere to in order to be safe. Brands do vary but not nearly as much as they would in different industries. Most brands tend to stick to certain types of insulation. For instance, certain brands may only specialize in foam insulation while others only make fiberglass insulation.

Speak to your contractor to find out the types of insulation that they most commonly use. Certain contractors only use specific brands; knowing this information beforehand will help you make your final decision.

You should also take a trip to your local home improvement store to find out the names of popular insulation brands. Pricing does depend on square footage and material but you will pay extra for certain brands.

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Does the Brand of Insulation Matter?

The brand of insulation is not nearly as important as its R-value. The R-value is predetermined by the material that is used. Fiberglass will never have a higher R-value than foam because the materials have a completely different chemical composition. As a homeowner, you should focus more on R-value and less on brand name.

 

Get the Right Brand of Insulation for Your Home

Making sure that your home is protected from whatever outside temperatures might come your way is a matter of getting the right insulation. Good insulation will prevent heat loss in your home and lower your long term energy bills, protecting both your comfort level and your wallet. Install the right brand of insulation in your home and you’ll never have to worry about high energy bills again.

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