Can you insulate a roof

Even in a house with an unconditioned basement, the basement is more connected to other living spaces than to the outside, which makes basement wall insulation preferable to ceiling insulation. In new construction, adding insulation on the exterior of the basement walls will do the following:. In an existing home, adding insulation to the exterior of the basement walls is impractical.

Interior basement wall insulation has the following advantages:. To determine appropriate R-values for basement walls in your area, use these R-value recommendations. Then choose the type of insulation :. Moisture control is particularly important for basements, because they are notorious for problems with water intrusion, humidity, and mold.

In addition to reducing heating costs, a properly insulated foundation will keep below-grade rooms more comfortable and prevent moisture problems, insect infestation, and radon infiltration. In new construction, consider construction techniques that provide both foundation structure and insulation, such as insulating concrete forms and insulating concrete blocks.

During the construction process, many builders insulate the outside of foundation walls before backfilling. This strategy is possible but impractical and disruptive for existing homes. How you insulate a crawlspace depends on whether it's ventilated or unventilated.

Most building codes require vents to aid in removing moisture from the crawlspace. However, many building professionals now recognize that building an unventilated crawlspace or closing vents after the crawlspace dries out following construction is the best option in homes in hot and humid climates using proper moisture control and exterior drainage techniques.

If you have or will have an unventilated crawlspace, the best approach is to seal and insulate the foundation walls rather than the floor between the crawlspace and the house. This strategy has the advantage of keeping piping and ductwork within the conditioned volume of the house so these building components don't require insulation for energy efficiency or protection against freezing.

The downside of this strategy is that rodents, pests, or water can damage the insulation and the crawlspace must be built airtight and the air barrier maintained. Cover the ground with a thick vapor barrier to reduce moisture entering the crawlspace from the ground. Cold concrete slabs can be a source of discomfort in a home.

Insulating a slab in an existing home can be expensive and disruptive, but if the slab in your home is cold it is possible to dig around the perimeter of the house and install insulation, usually foam board. Installing slab insulation during the construction process is more straightforward. Slab insulation, typically foam board, is installed either directly against the exterior of the slab and footing before backfilling or under the slab and along the inside of the stem wall of the foundation.

Termites can tunnel undetected through exterior slab insulation to gain access to the wood framing in a home's walls. As a result, some insurance companies won't guarantee homes with slab insulation against termites.

Building codes in several southern U. Slab foundations with interior insulation provide more termite resistance, but some builders in the southeastern United States have even reported termite infestations through foam insulation on contained slabs.

Insulating the pitched roof If your attic is often used or perhaps you plan to convert it in the future, you will need to insulate the inner surfaces of the roof. Insulating the floor AND the roof This is certainly the most interesting solution when the attic is also going to be used. Don't miss our new tips Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about energyfacts. Your email address: We promise we will only use your data to send you our newsletter as stated in our privacy policy. More about this topic in these dossiers.

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Je vindt er eindelijk het antwoord op vragen als: Wat verbruiken mijn huishoudtoestellen? Wat is het verschil tussen watt en kilowattuur? Hoe kies ik de juiste lamp? En nog veel meer Environmentally friendly - Some insulation boards are available in eco-friendly materials such as cork, wood, and straw.

High R-value - Due to their high density and water resistance, insulation boards tend to have a high R-value rating. Buying foil and plastic facings for the boards can increase its R-value even more. Comes with a fire retardant - Most foam insulation boards are made with a chemical flame retardant.

Despite its fire resistance, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says these retardants can cause serious health effects like cancer and reproductive toxicity. Easily damaged - When exposed to sunlight for long periods of time, UV rays can cause damage to the rigid foam. Image source: Buildipedia. Perhaps the most common type of roof and attic insulation is batt blanket insulation.

Though mineral wool insulation batts are making a comeback , these rolls are typically made of fiberglass and are one of the least expensive insulation materials. Available in many different sizes and easy to transport, batt insulation is also DIY-friendly.

Easy to install - These rolls are manufactured and pre-cut in various sizes to fit most ceiling joists and rafters. Moisture resistant - Fiberglass batts typically resist moisture and are often recommended to homes in more humid climates. Low energy efficiency - Producing batt insulation requires a lot of energy, contributing to more air pollution than other processes. Due to its low R-value, batt insulation does not perform well in colder temperatures and may require several layers of insulation.

Safety - Glass fibers from these insulation rolls can irritate the skin, eyes, and cause potential lung damage.

Make sure you wear protective clothing before you perform the installation. Image source: My Green Shield. Available in either fiberglass or cellulose, this type of insulation is often blown into hard-to-reach places like a roof or unfinished attic through a long flexible tube.

While both options are made from loose fibers of recycled waste materials, cellulose has a higher R-value. Non-flammable - Though fiberglass insulation contains tiny shards of glass and can catch fire or melt, blown-in fiberglass is completely fire resistant.

Because cellulose is made from paper, it is more likely to catch fire. Health concerns - The small fibers of glass in the insulation can irritate your skin and can cause lung cancer over time if inhaled. It is recommended that you wear masks and other protective gear. Not good for cold climates - The U. As with warm loft insulation, this is not a DIY job. You will need a professional installer to ensure that the insulation is appropriate and complete, and that adequate ventilation is provided where needed.

Air needs to flow in and out of your house so it stays fresh, dry and healthy. A good installer will be sure not to block or seal any intentional ventilation. In Northern Ireland, building regulations require adequate ventilation when installing loft insulation. This usually means installing more vents if there are not enough. Check with your local building control office to find out what you need to do for your home. If your loft is hard to access, you can have blown insulation installed by a professional, who will use specialist equipment to blow appropriate insulation material into any awkward space.

They may use mineral wool fibre, treated cellulose or polyurethane foam. A flat roof should preferably be insulated from above. This is best done when the roof covering needs replacing anyway.

If your flat roof needs to be replaced anyway, you must now insulate it to comply with building regulations. It is possible to insulate a flat roof from underneath, but this can lead to condensation problems if not completed correctly. Installing flat roof insulation could save you similar amounts on your heating bills to loft insulation. The savings will vary depending on how much of the property has a flat roof. If your loft is easy to access, does not have damp problems and is not a flat roof, you could probably insulate it yourself.

In cases where there are damp problems or a more complex insulation system is needed, a professional installer should be used. Flat roof insulation always requires professional insulation and damp roofs require professional assessment before work can be carried out.