There are a number of things to consider when choosing the correct insulation, but weight is not one of them. Insulation is very lightweight by nature because it is mostly air. The purpose of insulation is to create a barrier between outside temperatures and inside temperatures. This is done by trapping air, which is a poor conductor of heat in relation to solid building materials. Various designs of insulation do little more than trap air in pockets and protect the pockets from transferring heat to adjacent pockets. If, however, insulation becomes soaked with water, it can certainly compromise a ceiling.
Ceiling Construction
There are many common ceiling construction methods, but only a few are common. The majority of ceilings use gypsum board (also known as sheetrock or drywall) to hold insulation between the bays of joists or rafters. Older homes often used lathe-and-plaster. Perlin-constructed residential ceilings tend to use sturdier wood to span one framing member to the next. They are all more than capable of holding the light weight of insulation. Of the various types of ceilings, gypsum board is the most likely to fail when wet.
Types of Insulation
The most common type of residential insulation is fiberglass batt. It comes in rolls precut to the widths of standard bays, e.g., 16- or 24-inches. One side is sometimes coated with a reflective material. Another type of insulation is loose fill, which can be blown in and is often used when retrofitting an existing structure with insulation. Foam insulation, which is sometimes sprayed in liquid form, is normally used only to fill cracks. More often, foam insulation is available in preformed strips that fit between wall and ceiling framing structures. Loose fill is often made of the same fiberglass material as batting. Some loose fill is made of paper products or other water-absorbent materials, which if wet, could hold significant weight and cause a gypsum ceiling to fail.
Choosing the Right Insulation
The first consideration is local building codes, which will designate a minimum "R value" that is used to measure insulate properties of different types and brands of insulation. Consider whether you want to have more than the minimum required insulation and if you physically have enough space. Thicker framing members in your walls and ceilings allow greater potential insulation. Finally, choose the most appropriate type for installation. For example, blown-in insulation may be the only practical solution for remodels. However, rolled fiberglass bats are usually the most cost-effective for new construction. If you have specific reason to believe there is a likelihood of water damage to your ceiling, avoid any water absorbent materials.
What To Do If You Have Water Damage.
Should you ever have water damage sufficient to cause a gypsum ceiling to fail, do not enter the house. Only a major water leak could cause a potential ceiling failure. Any water leak sufficient to cause that sort of damage also represents a major risk of electrical shock and fire. Call the emergency numbers for your water utilities and electric company. Have them shut off your water and electrical service immediately. Call a licensed contractor. Some contractors specialize in flood damage and other types of major damage. If one is available, choose a "damage repair" contractor.
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