How much exterior wall insulation should I add?
The amount of wall insulation you need is based on the size of your walls and the type of insulation that you and your contractor decide to install. Generally, exterior walls should be insulated to at least R-13.
Related Articles
Why is wall insulation important?
Wall insulation, like attic or floor insulation, is used to keep your indoor climate in and the outdoor climate out. If you’ve been in an old house, then you know how drafty they can feel, or even the opposite, how stale the air can feel. One of the ...
How much attic insulation should I add?
The recommended insulation level for most attics is around R-38, or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
How much floor insulation should I add?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that floors in warm climate zones be insulated with an R-11 value, or insulation that is 3 ½-inches thick.
Why is air sealing important in exterior walls?
Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. Exterior walls typically have penetrations for electrical wiring and outlets, as well as gaps in the top, bottom, and sides of the walls that can leak warm air into or out of your ...
What does insulation do?
Insulation protects the conditioned areas in your home from the unconditioned areas. Translation: It prevents outdoor temps from disturbing the temperature you’re enjoying inside as well as keeping the unpleasant temps of, say, a hot and humid attic ...