Properly insulating a home is critical to homeowner comfort. Poorly installed insulation can lead to cold spots, moisture problems and higher energy use resulting from an increase in heating or cooling. Uncomfortable homeowners are more likely to complain, incur warranty expenses, and tell their friends about their dissatisfaction, which can cause damage to the company reputation. In order to ensure the comfort of a home, you should know the best practices for installing insulation.
One such product used to insulate a home is fiberglass batts are primarily installed in wall cavities and in attics. When using fiberglass batts, it is always important that they be cut so that they fit tightly into any non-standard spaces. A snug fit is essential to installing fiberglass insulation effectively. However, fiberglass batts should not be compressed, since compression degrades the insulation value.
In exterior walls, the appropriate thickness of batt is needed for the specific wall; otherwise gaps will result between the batt and the drywall, compromising the thermal performance. Using best practices when installing fiberglass batts will ensure an excellent level of cost-effective thermal performance.
In hot-humid climates where moisture from outside the homes usually travels in, using unfaced batts in exterior walls is recommended to avoid moisture retention problems. In cold or mixed climates, on the other hand, moisture often moves from inside the home to the outside. The best practice for installing fiberglass batts in these climates is to use kraft faced batts in order to keep moisture away from the exterior sheathing. Using the appropriate type of fiberglass batt will help prevent mold and decay problems.
Installing fiberglass batts is one way to provide high quality insulation for a home. The following tips will help you ensure that the proper insulation contributes to a comfortable living atmosphere and a durable home. Employing best practices when installing fiberglass batts will improve customer satisfaction, increase referrals and enhance the company reputation.
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This information is taken from Building America’s Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate, one of a series of handbooks that focuses on best practices for all U.S. climate zones. Building America's system design recommendations and process improvements can help all builders interested in re-engineering their home designs to achieve high performance. This best practices handbook helps builders develop durable, comfortable homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in hot and humid climates. The handbook contains chapters for every member of the builder's team—from managers to site planners to designers, site supervisors, the trades, and marketers. There is also a chapter to help homeowners select the best systems for their new home. To view the entire guide, click here.
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