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You’ll have a wide variety of options when it comes time to install fresh insulation, these come in various materials, such as denim, foil bubble wrap, fiberglass, and foam, and it can occasionally take work to choose the best one for you.
Ultimately, the insulation that best suits your needs and climate is the one that will perform the best for you. Increasing your R-value will prevent pollutants from entering your home’s interior air and save you money on energy expenses.
You may have heard of reflective insulation or foil bubble wrap. One kind of insulation that keeps your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter is reflective insulation. It comes in sheet or spray form and can be put on floors, ceilings, and attics.
Although reflective insulation has many advantages, there are a few things to think about, such as climate, humidity, and longevity, before deciding if this kind of insulation is the best fit for your home.
Advantages of Foil Bubble Wrap
Excellent for Maintaining Calm
Reflective insulation is naturally efficient to use in homes located in warm regions since it is made to resist the radiant energy gain that the sun emits. If utilized in warm, sunny climates, the Department of Energy promises that it can help save up to 10% on energy expenses. Additionally, it makes your HVAC system function more effectively and maintains the coolness of your house even in the hottest summer months.
Quite Adaptable
The uses and applications of reflective insulation are likewise adaptable because builders incorporate ceiling joists and wall cavities into the roofing system and other uses.
Lightweight and thin
Barriers made of foil bubble wrap are likewise relatively light and thin. Additionally, these barriers are pretty simple to install because they are less thick than insulators like fiberglass or foam spray. This is fantastic news because adding a DIY bubble wrap barrier doesn’t require the same protective gear or technical expertise as applying foam insulation.
Because installation will be less expensive, silver bubble wrap barriers will also be cheaper than these insulators.
The Drawbacks
A Fussy Installation
Bubble wrap installation could be more sophisticated but may become tiresome quickly, particularly when you must tack the material to the center of each rafter cavity’s studs. Since you’re essentially spraying in the insulation, installing fiberglass or another type of insulator will take less time.
Reflective bubble wrap barriers cannot be installed anywhere since there must be an air pocket between the material and the surface to which it is applied. It might be troublesome for a lot of households.
Costly
Although the installation might not be costly, the material is more expensive because it is metal. It implies that complete insulators are more affordable in some situations, primarily if you reside in a colder region.
Risk of Electrical
By nature, aluminum is an excellent electrical conductor. Reflective insulation may present an electrical risk. Conversely, manufacturers dispute these assertions and assert that no such circumstances ever occur.
Sensitive to Dust and Grime
Lastly, dust and debris can accumulate on reflective insulation. Dust and grime can lessen the material’s thermal resistance efficiency, even if they are safe and might not have a physical impact.