Home Insulation FAQs

by Matt Solis

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Do you have questions about an upcoming insulation project or insulation in general? Below, we answer some commonly asked questions.

Q: What’s the purpose of insulating my home?
A: Insulation resists the flow of heat, so it will keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Heat always looks for a cooler area, which means it will flow out of the house in the winter and into the house in the warmer months. If you can reduce heat flow, a well-insulated house uses less energy to heat and cool. Insulation also acts as a sound absorber.

Q: Which parts of my house should be insulated?
A: Attics and external walls are not the only places for insulation. It should also be installed in basement walls, vaulted ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, and between internal walls (particularly the bathroom, lofts or floors).

Q: What does R-value mean?
A: R-value is a measure of how well a layer of insulation (or any other two-dimensional barrier) resists the conducive flow of heat. Insulation manufacturers always print the R-values of their products on the labels or bags. Most of the time, R-values will be printed on the facings of fiberglass batts and rolls.

Q: How can I get the best performance from my new home insulation?
A: The installation of the insulation is the most important ingredient for performance. Regardless of the insulation type, the full R-value can only be achieved with proper installation. Make sure to choose a qualified home insulation contractor.

Q: When adding insulation to my home, do I need to remove the old insulation?
A: Since R-values are cumulative, it’s usually not necessary to remove existing insulation when installing new insulation, unless your contractor deems it worthwhile or necessary.

Q: What options do I have when choosing insulation?
A: You can choose from many types of insulation, including cellulose, spray foam and fiberglass. For residential homes, the most common types are fiberglass and cellulose.

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified insulation company?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose an insulation contractor with confidence by offering a list of local, top rated companies that have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only insulation companies rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise® earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings, and your new insulation purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.

Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.

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