Fiberglass Roll

Wool Roll

Blankets: Batts or Rolls

* Fiber glass
* Rock wool

Method of Insulation:

Fitted between studs, joists and beams

Where:

All unfinished walls, floors and ceilings Do-it-yourself.

Advantages:

Suited for standard stud and joist spacing, which is relatively free from obstructions.

Blown In Fiberglass

Loose-Fill (blown-in) or Spray-applied

* Rock wool
* Fiber glass
* Polyurethane foam

Method of Insulation:

Blown into place or spray applied by special equipment

Where:

Enclosed existing wall cavities or open new wall cavities; Unfinished attic floors and hard to reach places

Advantages:

Commonly used insulation for retrofits (adding insulation to existing finished areas).

Good for irregularly shaped areas and around obstructions.

Rigid Polyurethane Foam Board

Rigid Insulation

* Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS)
* Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS or beadboard)
* Polyurethane foam
* Polyisocyanurate foam

Method of 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

Where:

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.

Advantages:

High insulating value for relatively little thickness.

Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists.

Foil Bubble Roll

Reflective Systems

* Foil-faced paper
* Foil-faced polyethylene bubbles
* Foil-faced plastic film
* Foil-faced cardboard

Method of Insulation:

Foils, films, or papers: Fitted between wood-frame studs joists, and beams Unfinished ceilings, walls, and floors Do-it-yourself.

Where:

All suitable for framing at standard spacing. Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present.

Advantages:

Effectiveness depends on spacing and heat flow direction.

Vermiculite

Perlite

Loose-Fill (poured in) Vermiculite or Perlite

Not currently used for home insulation, but may be found in older homes