| Form |
Method of Installation |
Where Applicable |
Advantages |
Blankets: Batts or Rolls
|
Fitted between studs, joists and beams |
All unfinished walls, floors and ceilings |
Do-it-yourself Suited for standard stud and joist spacing, which is relatively free from obstructions |
| Loose-Fill (blown-in) or Spray-applied
|
Blown into place or spray applied by special equipment |
Enclosed existing wall cavities or open new wall cavities Unfinished attic floors and hard to reach places |
Commonly used insulation for retrofits (adding insulation to existing finished areas) Good for irregularly shaped areas and around obstructions |
Rigid Insulation
|
Interior applications: Must be covered with 1/2-inch gypsum board or other building-code approved material for fire safety Exterior applications: Must be covered with weather-proof facing |
Basement walls Exterior walls under finishing (Some foam boards include a foil facing which will act as a vapor retarder. Please read the discussion about where to place, or not to place, a vapor retarder) Unvented low slope roofs |
High insulating value for relatively little thickness Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists. |
Reflective Systems
|
Foils, films, or papers: Fitted between wood-frame studs joists, and beams |
Unfinished ceilings, walls, and floors |
Do-it-yourself All suitable for framing at standard spacing. Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present Effectiveness depends on spacing and heat flow direction |
| Loose-Fill (poured in) Vermiculite or Perlite |
not currently used for home insulation, but may be found in older homes |
not currently used for home insulation, but may be found in older homes |
not currently used for home insulation, but may be found in older homes |