Time is money when it comes to building.
The right insulation material for your ceiling depends on two important factors: your climate region and the R-value needed to form the house's insulating envelope. Essentially, one form of insulation works similar to the other, but when it comes to choosing the right ceiling insulation material, time and money become driving factors.
Foam Board or Rigid Foam
The ceiling type determines the type of ceiling insulation used. For instance, an A-frame or cathedral ceiling doesn't accommodate batt insulation or loose fill insulation. These types of ceilings require a rigid board insulation, often installed on the exterior of the roof prior to the installation of the roofing materials, such as tile, metal or shingles. If insulation is installed on the interior of the home, most building codes require it be covered with a non-flammable material, such as gypsum.
Fiberglass Batt or Loose Fill
A ceiling that has an attic above it can accept fiberglass batts or loose fill insulation materials. Batts are sized to the width between joists and laid between the joists without binding or compression. Binding or compressing insulation removes its insulating factors. Loose fill fiberglass insulation is blown in, is the quickest to install, and usually is the least expensive of all ceiling insulation materials.
Rock Wood Batt or Loose Fill
Another insulating material for ceilings works in the same manner as fiberglass batts and loose fill: rock wool insulation. Comprised of strands of rock fibers and sometimes combined with cotton or other natural materials, rock wool insulation is installed in batts or as loose fill. These types of insulation only work in ceilings with attics.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper and other paper materials. Coated with a fire retardant to prevent the material from catching fire, cellulose insulation is blown into the attic of a ceiling. This type of ceiling insulation material does not work in any other application, such as an A-frame or cathedral ceiling, as it requires ceiling joists to sit between.
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