Have you been feeling cold drafts in your home as the weather turns colder? Are you dreading your first heating bill of the season? For homeowners in Southern Vermont and Southwestern New Hampshire, late fall is a time when your home’s insulation is at the forefront of your mind. “Do I have enough? Am I pouring money down the drain and sending heat out the window?” (We’re speaking figuratively here, but it could also be happening literally!)
If you’ve decided that enough’s enough when it comes to indoor drafts and high heating costs, and you’re finally going to do something about the insulation in your home (good decision!), you might be looking around at the different options and scratching your head trying to make sense of it all. Do you want spray foam insulation… or fiberglass batts? Let’s examine the differences between the two insulation types and explain how each can play an important role in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
What’s the Difference Between Spray Foam Insulation and Fiberglass Insulation?
Spray foam insulation, or spray polyurethane foam (SPF), is a mix of liquid chemicals that, when combined during the spray application process, hardens and sets to form a durable foam insulation. Spray foam is not only an effective insulating material (spray foam’s R-value is between 3.7 and 6.5, depending on whether it’s open cell or closed cell), but it is also an air and moisture barrier for your home as well.
Fiberglass insulation is made mostly from spun glass fibers. Fiberglass insulation often comes in precut sheets, called batts, or rolled blankets, and it’s one of the most common insulation types that you might find in a house. With a fiberglass insulation R-value of 2.9-3.8, you very well might recognize this kind of insulation not by it’s name but by its color—it’s likely “the pink stuff” in your attic.
One of the biggest differences in the two insulation types is cost—spray foam is priced higher than fiberglass, which isn’t surprising when you factor in the higher R-value and the fact that it offers all-in-one insulation, air sealing, and moisture protection. Fiberglass on the other hand, offers great value for homeowners on a budget, and can also be a great option in specific areas of a house.
Where Are the Best Places to Install Spray Foam Insulation or Fiberglass Insulation in a Home?
At Vermont Foam Insulation, we’re a spray foam insulation contractor that uses spray foam in ways that maximize its benefits. This often means going with spray foam in areas that are prone to high levels of moisture or where there are air leaks, including:
-
Basements
-
Crawlspaces
-
Air Sealing
Fiberglass, on the other hand, will work best in dry areas of the home without air movement. Installed together with air sealing, we often put fiberglass batts on attic floors and in new walls. Because fiberglass batts are pre-cut, it’s important to have them installed by an expert insulation company—DIY fiberglass installation often results in gaps and holes that offer poor protection for your home and lead to energy waste.
Schedule a Home Energy Audit This Fall with Vermont Foam Insulation
Just because it’s right in our name doesn’t mean that we’re just a spray foam insulation company. From spray foam to fiberglass, and even blown in cellulose and mineral wool batting, we offer a variety of insulation types so that we can find the perfect solution for your Vermont or New Hampshire home. As a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR approved contractor, we’ll also help you qualify for insulation rebates that can make upgrades more affordable—you could save thousands!
Not sure if you need new insulation or air sealing in your Brattleboro or Hanover home? Schedule an energy audit with our team today. We’ll help you pinpoint the weak areas of your home, and using our audit results, recommend the specific services that will lead to lower heating and cooling costs and higher indoor comfort.
