When it comes to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient, insulation is essential. The U. S. Department of Energy recommends R-49 to R-60 in the attic and R-13 to R-21 in the walls for the Palm Beach area.
Different materials respond differently to weather conditions, so it's important to consider all factors when building or upgrading a home. Traditional wadding insulation can lose some of its insulating capacity in strong winds, so hermetic seals are necessary when using this type of insulation. Building codes vary by geographical location, with colder climates requiring R-49 insulation (16 inches of fiberglass) and Florida guidelines suggesting R-38 is sufficient. Loose-filled fiber insulation has an R-value of approximately R-2.5 per inch and protects against conduction. Loosely filled fiberglass insulation is slightly less dense than fiberglass blocks, but it's easier to install, especially in hard-to-reach places.
Blown fiberglass is used in preconstructed attics and wall cavities, and can also be sprayed onto existing insulation to increase the R-value. The best attic insulation for Florida's hot and humid environment is spray foam. Closed-cell spray foam has an impressive R-value of 6 to 7 per inch. Other suitable attic insulation options for Florida include blown fiberglass and blown cellulose. Statistics show that 85 percent of a home's heat loss occurs through the attic space. Homes built before the energy crisis in the early 1970s may have some fiberglass insulation in the attic or empty cavities between the beams, but they're likely wasting energy and money.
The amount of insulation a material provides is measured by its R-value - the higher the number, the more effective the insulation will be. Homes built before 1970 may have an R-value of 11 or less, while today's standards call for up to 38 or more. If you have an older home, you may find mineral wool between the roof beams; newer homes are likely to have blown cellulose. You can leave it in place and add more insulation over it. Fiberglass insulation has long been a favorite of homeowners, contractors, and commercial builders due to its cost-effectiveness, fire resistance, noise reduction, and easy installation. If the insulating material is compressed during installation (common in DIY installations), the R-value will decrease significantly.
The experienced insulation professionals at Spray Foam Ft Lauderdale can help you decide which type of fiberglass insulation best suits your needs. Mineral wool insulation has been around for decades but is gaining popularity again due to increased demand for insulation. It's amazing how well an insulated attic can help regulate temperature while saving energy, money, and protecting ducts - plus spray foam insulation lasts a lifetime compared to other materials. When installed on the warm side during winter months, coated insulation features paper on one side that functions as a Class II vapor retarder.
