There never seems to be a moment when you’re not thinking about how to improve your home.

What we see first with the naked eye is what comes to mind as priority, but it’s the membrane of the home that keeps you cozy and comfortable, no matter the season.

At The Construction Group, we understand the anxiety involved with replacing and installing insulation.

Let’s take a look at the two types of insulation most widely used, then be sure to contact us or set up a free estimate online!

Insulation Basics 101

First of all, let’s get down to the basics. The obvious reason you need insulation is to keep your home warm in the winter months and cool during the summer. Without it, you’d probably pull your hair out, especially during those heat waves.

Proper insulation traps heat expelled from your central heating inside. In the summer, the hot air is reflected away from your home’s interior.

Let’s learn which one – fiberglass or foam – is most beneficial for your home when it comes to energy savings, cost, and other benefits.

Top 3 Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation

There are several benefits in using fiberglass, depending on your short and long term factors. Both can be more than sufficient for your needs, however, one surpasses expectations due to its additional enhancements.

1. Spend Less With Fiberglass

The distinctly pink batts of insulation you see in most homes are made of fiberglass, and seeing it so often makes it a popular choice. It is made from the process of melting down glass and spinning it at very high speeds as they cool.

Fiberglass insulation is pretty affordable, which is why you see it used often in new builds.

2. Factor in R Value Versatility

Homes in Minnesota definitely need higher R-values – this measures the effectiveness of the insulation product. The higher the better.

If you want to insulate a wall cavity, you should use between R13 to R20 insulation, yet uninsulated attics should have a minimum of R40 up to R60. You can check out the recommended minimums at energy.star.com.

Fiberglass is available with varying R-values and comes in batts and loose fill, giving you that adjustable amount of R-value you need.

3. Fire Resistance

Since fiberglass is made from sand and recycled glass, it's naturally non-flammable. It also doesn’t need to be treated with fire-retardant chemicals as it ages.

As a result, many building code areas recognize it as an acceptable fire stop material in wood- and steel-framed wall assemblies.

Top 5 Benefits With Spray Foam Insulation

With the help of a spray gun and professional installation, such insulation can be applied anywhere there is air space or voids – walls, attic surfaces, floors, roofs, lofts – reaching any difficult-to-reach areas making it better at overall performance.

1. Longer Lasting

While spray foam insulation might have a higher upfront cost initially, you’ll save in the long run on ever having to replace it in a lifetime in addition to saving on energy bills.

2. Enhances Wall Sturdiness

Even though spray foam comes in both open and closed-cell, it is closed-cell that tends to be denser because it quickly hardens, therefore helping to improve the strength of your walls.

In terms of cost, closed-cell spray foams tend to cost a little more than open-cell variants.

3. Reduces Noise

Spray foam tends to have a higher value when sound reduction is high on your priority list. If you live in a noisy neighborhood, this insulation rates better in blocking noisy neighborhoods.

4. Repels Moisture & Unwanted Pests

Nobody wants unwanted moisture in their home no matter how it got there. There are tremendous challenges facing homeowners trying to conquer mold or mildew growth due to a leaky roof or other water emergencies. With spray foam, any condensation is significantly reduced, making it better for anyone with allergies or other health issues.

And spray foam provides ZERO sources of food for any pests, whereas fiberglass can be easily torn apart by those little critters

5. Easier to Install

Even though spray foam is actually easier to apply than fiberglass, still be sure to contact a professional for the job who has experience in the technique.

Insulation Questions or Problems? The Construction Group Can Help!

If you still have questions and you’d like to have an honest conversation about which insulation is best for your home, feel free to contact us. We have experienced insulation contractor installers giving you the peace of mind it’ll be done right.

And if you also have other home concerns such as updating your roof or replacing your gutters, we got you covered. You can count on us to handle all your home remodeling improvements, professionally and efficiently. Call us at 651-731-5857 today!