One primary reason everyday people bear with drafty homes stems from construction costs. Old houses and those with failing exterior wall insulation seem to require costly demolition. The idea that drywall or select wood wall materials require removal and replacement often causes property owners to take a deep breath and think about something else.
The good news is homeowners enjoy increased access to quality insulation materials which may not require wall demolition.
What insulation materials are available?
The two leading materials that generally do not require wall removal are loose-fill cellulose and spray foam. These products task installers with drilling small holes — between ½ and two inches — in strategic locations. Specialized equipment then funnels the material into the exterior walls between the framing studs.
The idea is to pack the vacant spaces with material that deters air penetrations. These are differences to consider between loose cellulose and spray foam materials.
- Loose Cellulose: Properly installed and packed loose cellulose can deliver a higher R-value rating than a good deal of fiberglass batt products. This material may be best suited for older homes with little or no exterior wall insulation, which is largely because it may not push aside impediments such as outdated insulation behind walls. Another criticism of loose cellulose involves "settling." When not tightly packed, gaps can emerge at the top of exterior walls.
- Spray Foam: Injecting spray foam ranks among the viable solutions to reduce or eliminate drafts. This seemingly wet material floods the space between exterior wall studs and can form a firm barrier against air penetrations. Although spray foam also outpaces many fiberglass insulators, it does present a risk. Excessive spray foam funneled into walls can expand, resulting in cracks and bowed walls.
Not every handy DIY homeowner possesses the equipment or experience to effectively install insulation without removing walls, which is why it's essential to work with an experienced professional installer.
How to choose an exterior wall insulation material
Consult with an experienced insulation contractor that uses both materials. Their assessment of the house could prove invaluable in terms of selecting the best option. And, don't hesitate to field multiple quotes before writing a check because installation costs can differ significantly.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
