Insulation
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Natural Alternatives to Manufactured Insulation
The mainstays of modern home insulation are fiberglass, rigid foam and cellulose. But there are natural alternatives to these which are worth considering, especially if you're going for super-green construction!
How to Insulate Exterior Walls
Upgrading Exterior Walls
Walls have large surface areas and are responsible for a significant percentage of a house’s heat loss. Older homes constructed from solid materials like stone, log or brick usually have no insulation on the inside: there is often just a small air space between the outside covering and inner frame wall. This drainage cavity should be insulated as it can cause water leakage and condensation.
Interior & Exterior Insulation Upgrades
Exterior Insulation Upgrades
If you have to improve old siding, you might as well improve the exterior insulation too. You have a choice of methods for adding insulation underneath the new siding, which will increase your home’s overall "R/RSI" value significantly. New siding with blown-in insulation eliminates filling in access holes as well as repainting.
Other points to note are:
Wall Insulation in the Home
Wood-Framed Walls
Wood-framed walls are the easiest part of the home to insulate since they can be treated in the same way as new construction. The main concerns for wood-framed walls are the thickness and accessibility of the wall cavity. Assessment of wood-framed walls should also determine the presence or absence of insulation.