Batt Insulation
Batt insulation is commonly seen in home improvement stores since it is relatively inexpensive and easy to handle for homeowners since it requires no equipment to install. In our part of the country batts are typically made with fiberglass. Rock wool is sometimes available, but is more common in northern climates, especially Canada. It has some advantages over fiberglass which include better resistance to air flow (especially important in cold climates), better sound dampening qualities, and better fire resistance. Batts come in precut lengths to match typical wall heights. If it comes in a long roll, it is called a blanket instead of a batt. The batts or blankets come in thicknesses to match common wall or ceiling framing lumber, such as 3 1/2 inches thick for 2×4 framing and 5 1/2 inches for 2×6 framing. The available widths also match common wall and ceiling lumber spacing of 16 or 24 inches. The drawback to batt insulation is that to perform properly it must be installed near perfectly with minimal gaps between the insulation and the wall framing or pipes and wires within the wall. Wall framing has many places where the spacing does not match the insulation width and must be trimmed or pieced together to fit tightly. To properly insulate around pipes or wires, the batts must be split to fit around them without gaps or compressing the insulation. May Energy Solutions has the experience to install batts properly in the walls or attics of new construction or existing homes so that it meets the recommended R values shown in the charts below from the International Energy Code.
*Note: In the table at right , CI stands for “continuous insulation” that is applied to the exterior of the wall assembly just inside the cladding. Map and chart: www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation