In this video, This Old House General Contractor Tom Silva shows Host Kevin O’Connor three types of insulation homeowners can choose from.
What to Know About Choosing Insulation
- Fiberglass insulation is sold by wall thickness and that should be adhered to so the insulation doesn’t get compressed and lose effectiveness.
- Open cell spray foam has the same R-factor as fiberglass, but it goes around any penetrations and acts as an air infiltration barrier.
- Closed cell spray foam has a higher R-factor per inch, but it is more expensive.
- When retrofitting, cellulose, made from recycled newspaper, can be densely packed into the stud bays. It’s treated with borate for insect and fire resistance.