Comfortable living is a direct indicator of success in life. This means being able to live in a home that is cozy, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. Following the right guidelines when insulating can keep you comfortable even in the face of harsh weather. If you plan to construct a new home or renovate an existing one, here are the best practices to adhere to when adding insulating material.
Georgia Climate
Firstly, be aware of the climatic conditions here in Georgia. It is a hot hot and humid environment, you might want to go for materials that do not store too much heat. On the other hand, homes up north always lose heat rapidly, especially when they do not have the right mechanisms to trap hot air. With this in mind, the material you opt for should be suitable for the average weather condition around.
Materials
There are two materials commonly used to insulate buildings during construction. These are bulk insulators and reflective insulators. You can easily find any of these materials at a hardware store near you. Before then, it is important to fully understand how the two work.
Bulk
Bulk insulators work by transferring heat to different sections of a building through conduction and convection. Technically, there must be small pockets of trapped hot air for this to work. The materials used to make them include polyester, cellulose fiber, polystyrene and glass wool. These insulators are generally ideal for use in predominantly cold regions.
Reflective
An alternative for a hot region is the reflective insulator. If you have some knowledge on basic science, you would know that reflective materials give off heat as opposed to retaining it. This is the primary reason why reflective insulators are best suited for hot areas. You do not want more heat getting into your already hot living room.
Characteristics
The materials used in making these insulators have two key characteristics. They have high levels of reflectivity and low levels of emissivity. In a typical reflective insulator, the high resistance to radiant heat flow is to a large extent dependent on a 25mm separation between the hot air and the surface of the material. Manufacturers usually produce them in the form of aluminum foils stuck onto sheets of plastic or hard paper.
Location
At this point, you may be wondering where the best place to install insulating material is. You may insulate your walls, floors, ceiling or roof. When insulating the roof, ensure the insulator is placed right under the roofing material. This way, heat loss can be lowered through radiation.
Ceiling
Ceiling insulators work in two ways. They reduce both heat loss and heat gain, switching between the two modes depending on the weather. If residing in a location that experiences the winter season, you may choose to insulate your floors. For the best results, consult with your contractor to find out what to use in all these areas.