Building insulation is the process used to protect a property from external pressures such as whether, noise, and fire. Insulating a property is done to prevent outside forces or pressures from entering the property. This includes keeping water, wind, and chemical damage outside. Siding is an exterior wall finishing product that is applied to outside walls of a property to protect and insulate the property from the elements including water, air, and other materials. Flashing is a material installed to prevent water from penetrating other material.
With the ever growing costs of oil and electricity, the need for proper insulation is more important than ever. Because oil prices have consistently been more expensive since 2005, insulation has become a larger priority for most property owners. Proper insulation has the power to prevent excess power bills. Rather than allowing air and heat to escape the house, insulation can reduce energy expenses. Prior to gas being as expensive as it is today, most homeowners were not concerned with the cost of heating and utility expenses.
Purpose of Insulation
The main reason properties are insulated is to be protect the property from outside conditions such as wind, water, and the heat or cold weather. A home that is properly insulated will reduce the airflow from both the inside and outside the home, saving homeowners on their monthly utility expenses. In the harsh winter months, homeowners can reduce their energy bill by not allowing the heat produced by the heater go through the cracks and crevices of their homes. In the hot summer, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard because most or all of the air created through the air conditioning system will remain in the home.
The quality of insulation material is expressed through the R-value of the material being used. An R-value represents the thickness of the insulation material. An R-1 value is approximately one and one-half inches of insulation. Every additional layer of insulation material added to another insulation material will be added to the R- value, thus increasing the R value. An example of this is if: an R-5 insulation material is added to an R-10 value, the total R value will be R-15.
Another common use of insulation is for piping. An insulating blanket can be wrapped around the pipe. By wrapping the insulating blanket around the pipe, the pipe’s temperature will be stabilized, while also reducing the chance of the pipe from bursting or malfunctioning.
