Insulation

Proper Insulation

This Old House — When it comes to insulation, says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, money truly can buy happiness. "It's the wisest way to invest that I know of," he says. "A well-insulated house will make you more comfortable in every ...More…

Tips for Installing Insulation

Ask The Builder — Summary: Installing insulation in your home is a fairly simple DIY project, and you need only simple tools that you likely already have around the house. Insulation is not the most fun project, however. Tips for installing fiberglass blankets or ...More…

Insulation - Fiberglass and Cellulose

Ask The Builder — Summary: Insulation for the home has been readily improved through the years. Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation, in batt or blown in insulation form, have certain advantages as well as traits that need special diligence. Assure proper ...More…

R Value and Insulation Manufacturers, Associations

Ask The Builder — Ask the Builder R Value and Insulation Manufacturers, Associations Summary: R value is an important number for homeowners to understand. Insulation r value recommendations have been updated recently by the U.S. Department of Energy. R values for ...More…

Attic Insulation - Blown vs. Batt

Ask The Builder — Summary: Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets (batt or blown in insulation. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. Blown in insulation requires a professional. Before choosing blown vs. batt ...More…

Fiberglass Blankets and Blown In Insulation

Ask The Builder — Summary: Fiberglass blankets, or batt insulation, and blown in insulation are essentially the same product. Only the batt is suggested for the DIY homeowner. The seven insulation manufacturers providing these home insulation products are listed here.More…

Installing Insulation

Ask The Builder — Summary: Installing insulation is simple, but a process which needs your attention to some important details. Fiberglass is easily cut to fit, but you need to get the bulky fiberglass blankets up into the attic in the first place! Fiberglass ...More…

Foam Insulation

Ask The Builder — Summary: Foam insulation is very popular. I used spray foam insulation on one of my jobs years ago and had splendid results. But don't think for a moment that do it yourself spray foam insulation is possible. You need very special equipment to ...More…

Foam Insulation Helps Even in Warm Climes

This Old House — Key West's streets, never wide-open boulevards, may be destined for further constriction if a technology On February 3, a large truck pulled into town after a long drive from Naples, Florida, a few hundred miles back on the mainland. Aboard were ...More…

New Insulation Options

This Old House — Whether it's pink, white, yellow, or blue, all insulation is at least a little bit "green." After all, anything that saves so much energy gets high marks for environmental friendliness. But increasingly, the materials we put inside our walls ...More…

Insulation Made From Mushrooms?

This Old House — Greensulate eo-friendly, fire-retardant insulation made from mushrooms Greensulate makers Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre Oyster mushrooms are the raw material for Greensulate Newspaper and denim used to be the coolest-sounding insulation options. ...More…

Adding Attic Insulation

This Old House — To install fiberglass batts over existing insulation, lay the batts perpendicular to the joists so they do not compress the insulation below Don't cover can lights unless they are rated for contact with insulation. It's safer to build a small ...More…