Understanding your home's winter armor

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Published Date 12/18/2024

Some parts of a home simply can’t be decor superstars. Plumbing. Electrical. HVAC. Oh— but what about insulation? This is a time of year where that element may not be a home’s most glamorous feature, but it quietly becomes the MVP of your winter survival strategy when the temperature drops. Keeping the warm air in and the cold air out, insulation helps maintain a comfortable interior temperature while keeping those heating bills in check, says Realtor.com’s Jillian Pretzel.

“Like many things in a home, insulation tends to go unnoticed—until it’s not doing its job,” she says. “If your house doesn’t have enough of it, you could layer up with blankets or dial up the thermostat beyond your budget.” Worse, she adds, improperly installed insulation can create even bigger headaches, like moisture buildup inside your walls. “And where there’s moisture, there’s often mold—along with potential damage to the very structure of your home.”

Need to determine whether your insulation needs an upgrade? The first key is learning what level of insulation suits your home as well as your local weather. Insulation needs in Southern California do not match those of Minnesota or Alaska. So here’s the kicker: Insulation is measured by its thermal resistance, or R-value, which measures the material’s type, thickness, and density. Simply put, the higher the R-value, the better the climate control.

The Department of Energy uses insulation levels that range from 1-8, based on region. Hot, humid Miami gets a “Zone 1,” while the cold, northern half of Minnesota is a “Zone 7.” A “Zone 1” home might require R-13 for an uninsulated, wood-frame wall, while R-20 is recommended for the same wall in a “Zone 7 or 8” home.

Insulation is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, so don’t just grab the first insulation roll on sale and call it a day. “What works in one region—or even one part of your house—may not be ideal for another,” says Pretzel. “Using the wrong type or thickness could lead to inefficiencies or problems like moisture buildup.” The simplest way to determine your home’s R-value needs is to check your local building codes or consult a professional insulation contractor who knows your area’s specifics.

Let’s say you’ve figured out you’re in a Zone 4 area. But before you grab your keys and head to the store, here’s something to remember: Not all parts of your home are created equal regarding insulation needs. Various parts of your home—floors, walls, and attic spaces—each have unique requirements. “Your attic might need higher R-values to combat rising heat, your walls or crawl space might not require quite as much,” says Pretzel. Experts at Johns Manville, a manufacturer of insulation and commercial roofing, explains: “Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.”

On to types of insulation: fiber, foam boards, and reflective foils. “There are two ways to insulate a building: cavity insulation and continuous insulation,” says Pretzel. The cavity variety (which look like pink or yellow fluff strips) uses the “cavities” between a building’s framing and studs. It commonly involves fiberglass batts, placed between wooden posts. These batts are cost-effective but won’t provide perfect insulation. The fluffy material isn’t airtight, so it won’t keep all the warm or cool air in.

Spray foam insulation is often preferred because it is airtight, but even this version won’t bring perfect results, as air can still seep out through the wood—called “thermal bridging.” You. May see this used often in home improvement shows when contractors fluff up wall cavities in pretty colors.

Continuous insulation involves covering the entire building with insulating material—usually foam boards onto the exterior side of walls—rather than placing the material between the wood. This type can give homeowners a nearly 100% insulated home and comes with a lower risk for moisture problems.

If you are a DIYer, there are plenty of helpful guides online. Taking on the job is a good option if the wall is open and accessible (like an unfinished attic or basement). They also note that insulation material is an important factor, saying that batts or rolls “are typically installed by homeowners.” While it can be a good option, many types of insulation require professional installation. Even if your chosen type doesn’t require a professional, many homebuyers will splurge to ensure their insulation is done right.

Realtor, TBWS

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All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.

Darren Orshoff is a Marketing and Real Estate professional, licensed Realtor with the California Department of Real Estate DRE#01803671 with WSR Real Estate DRE#01977642.  Darren is also a Certified Mortgage Planner, A Certified Financial Literacy Coach, A Dave Ramsey Trained Financial Coach, A Certified Mortgage Advisor, and while Darren is licensed by the NMLS, he is not originating loans but refers lending transactions to Golden Empire Mortgage, Inc. ("GEM") [NMLS ID No. 2427] licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation pursuant to the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, for which he represents as the Corporate Marketing Coordinator.

Darren Orshoff

Realtor, Marketing Guru, Sushi Lover, Dad, Ham

License: CalDRE#01803671

The Key To Your Home!™ at WSR

6736 Palm Avenue, Riverside CA

Office: 951-468-8326

Cell: 951-323-2119

Email: darren@darrenorshoff.com

Web: http://sellriverside.com