Think About These Things When Choosing Insulation Material For Your Home

The stuff you hear on television and read in blogs can mislead you when you want to buy insulating material for your home. It makes it difficult to choose between the stuff that will work for you and those that will not. A little knowledge of the things you need to focus on will go a long way in helping you make the right purchase. The following information will guide you through this shopping dilemma and ensure that you get value for your money:

Hydroscopic Versus Hygroscopic

Water vapour behaves differently when it encounters different materials. Understanding the response of these materials is essential for choosing the right insulation material for your home. First, water condenses and forms small droplets when it encounters a hydrophobic material. It does not penetrate the inner layers of the material. Hygroscopic material, on the other hand, absorbs the water and releases it later when the levels of humidity go down.

Hydroscopic materials are better at withstanding moisture. However, you will witness a significant reduction in their ability to retain heat when there is too much moisture. On the contrary, hygroscopic insulation will be made of natural materials such as sheep wool or wood fibre. Extreme moisture conditions for prolonged periods will eventually damage these materials.

Thermal Conductivity

The objective here is to go for an insulation material that has the lowest thermal conductivity. This is the ability of the material to transfer heat from one side to the other. The shallower the depth of the insulation material, the lower its thermal conductivity. The conductivity will always be displayed on the packaging material used to prepare the material for sale.

Noise Cancellation

Insulation is not limited to heat exchange and ventilation requirements alone. You can use it to achieve other objectives and make your home as ambient as possible. One of these goals could be reducing the noise reaching your indoor space by using the insulation for noise cancellation. On this note, consider complementing the insulation on your walls with additional insulation, such as secondary glazing. The wood fibre or sheep wool insulating your walls will do a great job of reducing sound transmission through the walls, while the secondary glazing maintains the desired standards for your door and windows. Secondary glazing is your best alternative because it works with the materials you already have on your windows. You don't have to strip down and replace everything, which is the case for those who opt for double glazing.

For more information about insulation, speak with insulation contractors.