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InsulationA riddle: which one of the important 'systems' of your home has no moving parts and is spread throughout the house? Answer: insulation. Insulation helps keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Temperature control is one of the chief reasons houses were invented, after all.
Insulation works by preventing the transfer of heat by one of three basic ways: convection, radiation and conduction. Convection occurs when hot air moves to a cooler area. Insulation helps block or trap air, preventing the movement. Warmer bodies radiate heat to cooler surroundings. Radiation can't be prevented, but it can be directed, or insulated against. Insulation conducts very little heat, and is placed between parts that do, preventing heat
movement.
How well insulation carries out those tasks is measured by something called the R-value. The 'R' stands for 'resistive', in this case to heat transfer. The higher the R-value the more effective the insulation.
Which R-value insulation is appropriate for your home depends on several factors: local climate, the other components in the house (walls, ceilings and floors, carpets, windows, etc) and the general quality of the construction. Which is actually used depends largely on local building codes and costs.
Keep in mind, you don't always want the highest number possible. Houses have to breathe in order to maximize your health. You can get some guidance for which is best for your circumstances by contacting the local utility company or by talking to a knowledgeable person at the building supply nearest you.
Apart from walls, carpets and windows there are two basic elements of insulation in most homes: weather stripping and foam.
Weather stripping usually takes the form of rubber moulding placed around doors and sometimes windows. Replacing it is just a matter of removing the old strip and gluing or tacking the new one in place.
Foam generally comes in two types, sheet and particle.
Sheet foam is a strip of insulating material similar in texture to dried cotton candy (only not sticky!) and often available in long rolls. The woven material contains numerous air pockets that, along with its non-conductive nature, provides insulative ability. Sometimes the strips are covered with a kind of paper, sometimes even backed by a type of aluminum-like foil.
Laying the sheets down is simple when the area is accessible. In attic areas, for example, the sheets can simply be unrolled between two by four support members. Make sure to step only on the beams (joists), never in between. Ceilings aren't made to be walked on.
The other major type of insulation comes in small chunks, often 'blown in' by professionals using a specially made machine. You don't need a multi-thousand dollar machine, however, to replace small amounts. The material is often some kind of fiberglass. Other kinds of insulation, such as cellulose, silicates, etc are sometimes used within walls.
Obtain as many bags as you require to cover the area at least a few inches deep. How much you need depends, obviously, on your climate, the size of the area, etc. Consult your local building supply or knowledgeable home center store clerk.
When working in an attic area, again stepping only on the beams, put on some latex gloves and toss the material over the area needed. The gloves aren't for safety, per se. The insulation isn't toxic, but if you work with it for a couple of hours you might find your hands uncomfortably dry and itchy.
Avoid crushing the foam after it's spread over the area. The air pockets formed are part of what help provide insulation.
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