Batt insulation Benefits
Batt insulation has traditionally been the choice of home builders. Widely used, this type of insulation has proven to be one of the most convenient choices for your home, garage or basement. With proper installation you will get the best balance between cost and performance. Insulation batts have been usually manufactured in rolls but are now precut into industry standard sizes.
As a home builder you can choose from an overwhelming variety of products. Most commonly used materials for batt insulation are fiberglass and mineral wool. They come in different widths for various applications. This way you can decide which product is the one who has an optimal performance level and sure, achieve the R-Value within any budget.
Where can Batt Insulation be applied
-Home walls
-Garage
-Garage door
-Ceilings
-Floor
-Attics
-Basement walls
Batt Insulation materials
Fiberglass
| Mineral wool
|
Eco-Friendly Insulation
If you are looking for an eco-friendlier insulation material you are in the right place. You can choose from cotton, sheep’s wool and straw. These materials have a high percentage of natural fiber which has been recycled and treated to adapt with insulation needs and meet the R-Value requirements. Though little known from home builders, these materials are worth mentioning.
-Cotton
Cotton insulation material consists of 85% recycled cotton and 15% plastic fiber. The final result has been treated with borate to make cotton flame proof and insect\rodent repellent. Cotton batts cost 15% up to 20% more than fiberglass or mineral wool batts. Being a recycled content, this product has minimal energy manufacturing use.
-Sheep’s Wool
Sheep’s wool is one of the most natural materials you can use for insulation. It is also treated with borate to make the material fire resistant and prevent pests to get in the wall. Sheep’s wool natural skill to prevent mold puts this material to home builders list. It offers a R-Value, R-13 up to R-19 depending on batts width. Sheep’s wool has water absorption properties but this can sometimes lead to the loose of borate, making it an unfavorable choice for home insulation.
-Straw
Straw can be an effective insulation material if installed properly. It is cheap and can be used for your basement, barn or garage. For use as insulation, straw is fused into board panels and equipped with heavyweight kraft paper each side. For interior partitions, straw panels can be used as sound absorbers. It is easy to install and guarantees a high R-Value.
TYPE | MATERIAL | WHERE APPLICABLE | INSTALLATION METHODS | ADVANTAGES |
Fiberglass Mineral wool Natural fibers Plastic fibers | Unfinished walls Foundation wall Floors Ceilings | Fitted between studs, joists, and beams. | Do-it-yourself. Low cost compared with other insulation methods Lower your energy bills by 20% Quick insulation |
Batt insulation attributes
When it comes to insulating, Batt insulation has been and will be one of the most preferred methods for the professionals of the field. Its qualities put batt insulation on the top 5 list among Spray Foam Insulation, Concrete Block Insulation and Structural Insulated Panels.
Compared with above mentioned insulation methods Batt insulation might have a lower R-Value but it is guaranteed that its insulating capabilities will be retained over time.
Insulating home with Batts is loved from home builders just because it is one of the easiest and quickest ways to install. To a team of professionals, it might take them less than 1 normal business day to complete a 300 feet square two-story home.
You can do it by yourself also but you will need the right tools and must be well knowledgeable of the steps of the process prior installation.
To sum up this paragraph, as mentioned on the comparison table above, Batt materials are fire resistant and have sound absorption properties.
Batt Insulation R-Value
R-Value measures the effectiveness of an insulation platform. It determines how well a layer of insulation resists the heat flow. When insulating an area, you should choose the best materials and get the proper installation guide to make sure it will impact the highest R-Value. Batt Insulation is considered to be an effective heat preventer. Keep in mind that batt thickness plays a key role. The thicker the batt the easier would be for the insulated platform to prevent heat and air flow.
THICKNESS (INCHES) | R-VALUE |
3 1/2 | 11 |
3 5/8 | 13 |
3 1/2 (high density) | 15 |
6 to 6 1/4 | 19 |
5 1/4 (high density) | 21 |
8 to 8 1/2 | 25 |
8 (high density) | 30 |
9 1/2 (standard) | 30 |
12 | 38 |
It is understandable that the cost will be higher per each thickness level. It may also vary depending on the type of insulation batt that will be used. Extra air sealing materials such as caulk might be needed to fill in the gaps of doors and window framing.
Spray Foam VS Batt Insulation
Spray Foam and Batt Insulation are both two good insulating methods. They both have air sealing properties and both are capable of preventing heat flow. Each one of them can retain the R-Value over time and guarantee lower energy bills. This is where Spray Foam earns the first place on the list of insulation methods. In the long-term Spray Foam is definitely the most cost-efficient insulation method. Spray Foam has a higher R-Value than Batt Insulation. This means an increase of energy efficiency and saving more on your energy bills. The higher the R-value the lower your energy bills will be. Spray Foam can be applied everywhere, in any type of material or space and that makes it unique.
Why EcoStar?
EcoStar’s insulation team strives to provide the best quality products and the highest standard of expertise.
Our professionalism and experience goal is that you never have to worry about anything less than thorough and complete workmanship. Our professionals will guide you through the consultation to the execution stage.
Contact Us for your free estimate.
