Adding new insulation to your home is often a great way to drastically reduce energy costs throughout the year, but many homeowners are reluctant to make the investment because of perceived drawbacks. After all, insulation is usually in hard to access areas of the home, including the outer walls, and getting into those spaces to add new and better insulating materials can seem like a big job. The fact is, it would be if you had to install everything whole and in its final shape, but that’s only the case with certain kinds of insulation. Other kinds can be added to supplement the original installation without becoming a major project. It’s all in the choice of materials.

Expanding and Loose Fill Materials

Often, expanding foam insulation is the most effective and fastest way to add insulation to areas of the home that need more protection. That’s because it is not only effective, it’s also a substance that can be introduced through a single, small access point. The foam is then sprayed into place until it expands and fills the entire gap, without requiring you to open up big sections of wall, floor, or ceiling. There are multiple types of expanding foam insulation out there, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are also alternatives that work on a similar principle, but with materials that stay loose and separate instead of creating one large mass. If you’re interested in learning about the kinds of sprayable insulation available in your area, contact spray foam contractors Virginia and ask for details about the insulation they install.

Lifespan and Insulation Effectiveness

Every insulating material has its own limitations, based on the materials used to make them. Some expanding foam insulation formulas do need to be refreshed from time to time, but others have long lifespans. The same is true of many other insulation types, though. All of the upsides and installation costs should be considered as you make your choice. One of the reasons spray foam is so popular is the ease of insulation makes it inexpensive to add more if you find new areas with insulation gaps or you want to improve your home’s average insulation factor even more.

Even when formulas do have a predictable lifespan, this ease of installation makes refreshing your insulation coverage easy. Chances are you won’t be the one replacing spray foam when it breaks down, though. While it doesn’t last as long as some other insulating materials, the difference is an average of 80 years versus an average of 100. Either way, that sounds like an issue for the next home owner.