How to Buy Insulation

Adding insulation to your house is fairly inexpensive and can really help cut your energy bills. Here's what to consider when buying.

Things You'll Need

• Fiberglass Insulation
• Measuring Tapes
• Caulking Guns
• Caulks
• Insulation

Instructions

1. Consider standard fiberglass insulation for areas where you have access to install the material between studs and rafters, such as an attic or new addition. Fiberglass is standard home insulation and should considerably reduce heating and cooling expenses.

2. Consider foam insulation board (this looks something like Styrofoam plywood and is usually blue or pink) for areas where the board is easier to use than standard fiberglass insulation. You can affix foam insulation to a basement wall - no framing is necessary.

3. Consider a loose-blown product (which can be pumped into existing walls through small holes in existing drywall) for adding insulation to existing exterior walls. This allows owners of older homes to benefit from increased insulation - a real benefit in a drafty older home. (Note that you'll probably need to have this type of insulation professionally installed; the contractor will supply the material.)

4. Calculate the square footage of wall space where you'll use each type of insulation.

5. Go to a home center to order the required amount of each type of material you plan to use. Don't forget to purchase caulk and a caulking gun to use on cracks and small holes - this is where a lot of heat is lost in most houses.