See also:
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Wall and Ceiling Insulation
Insulation provides a thermal barrier that
keeps your house cooler in the
summer and
warmer in the winter. Insulation
should be
placed in all external walls
and ceilings.
Rated with an "R" rating
to indicate
its effectiveness as an insulator
(the higher
the rating the higher the insulation
capability),
insulation comes in various materials
and
forms. The three most common
are:
- blankets - available in rolls or batts and
made from fiberglass or rock wool, blankets
are commonly use to insulate attics and other
areas where the house's framework is exposed.
The blankets fit between the frame.
- blow in - either loose insulation or spray
foam is blown into openings in sealed areas
though would otherwise be inaccessible. Only
small jobs can be done easily by the do-it-yourselfer.
- rigid - polystyrene polyurethane, or polyisocyanurate
foam available in panels, usually used in
new construction.
Insulation works by trapping air inside,
so do not compress it or it will loose its
insulation value. Also, it's important that
you completely insulate. Leaving a doorway
uninsulated, for example, will greatly diminish
the value of the remaining insulation work,
much like leaving the lid off a bottle. |
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