If you want to make your home more energy-efficient, you may be considering having insulation installed. Here are some tips to help you figure out what type of insulation may suit your house.

Different Ceiling Shapes

A lot of the sun's solar heat enters a house via the roof, so it's a perfect place to put bulk insulation. The type of insulation you opt for will depend on the shape of the ceiling. If the roof is peaked and you have a flat ceiling, there is plenty of space to contain the insulation. Bats that are filled with tiny air pockets that block heat flow can be put between the ceiling joists. Or else, loose-fill insulation can be pumped into the ceiling space. If your home has a cathedral ceiling with a narrow area between the roof cladding and ceiling, insulating boards can be slid into the compact gap. You can ask experts in residential insulation installation for their specific advice.

Foil Insulation

While bulk insulation works by creating a barrier that heat can't easily flow through, foil insulation works differently. It reflects radiant heat away from a building rather than creating a barrier that is difficult for heat to pass through. Foil-insulating blankets are often placed on the roof battens, under the roof cladding, rather than on the ceiling joists as bulk insulation typically is. The foil side faces the direction where the heat is coming from. To stop the sun's heat, it faces outward. Not being bulky like batts, foil insulation can be used for cathedral ceilings and flat roofs and ceilings. If dirt and dust settle on the foil, it won't be as reflective. 

R-Values

With the various available insulation options, it can be hard to know which to choose. This is where R-values are useful. Products are rated with an R-value that indicates how much heat resistance they offer. A higher R-value means that products resist heat transfer more strongly than something with a lower R-value. Regardless of the specific material and thickness of bulk insulation, you can use this R-value rating to get the most effective product.

Bulk insulation stops the heat from moving through it in both directions. So it will stop the heat from coming inside in summer and block it from escaping in winter. But a product may be more effective at stopping the heat flow in one direction. For this reason, bulk insulation is rated with separate up and down R-values. Down R-values describe how well it does at keeping the heat out of your home. Up R-values state how well it stops the warmth from escaping.

For more information about residential insulation installation, contact a local company.