Should Internal Walls be Insulated?

When researching home improvements, the question of whether to insulate interior walls often arises. If you’re interested in knowing if your interior walls are insulated and whether it’s worth adding some insulation if they’re not, the information here can help you decide.

Are Interior Walls Usually Insulated?

In general, the answer is no. Interior walls are frequently left uninsulated during construction because the energy efficiency benefits are less significant than those gained from insulating exterior walls, floors and ceilings. Province and local codes don’t require interior insulation, so in most cases it’s only added if the homebuyer specifically instructs the builder to add the extra insulation. If you were not part of the building process, it’s a pretty safe bet that your home’s interior walls are not insulated.

Is it Worth It to Insulate Interior Walls?

There are several reasons homeowners might insulate their interior walls:

• Energy efficiency: Insulating interior walls helps keep a stable temperature in various rooms in your home, improving comfort and lessening the strain on your heating and cooling system.
• Reducing noise: When you add insulation to interior walls, you drastically reduce the amount of sound going from room to room. This is particularly beneficial for creating a quiet and calm home office or nursery. It also helps keep music room or home theater room noise from disturbing family members in other parts of the home.
• Moisture protection: Certain kinds of wall insulation function as a moisture barrier, preventing the buildup of dampness inside the walls of high-humidity spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Making sure these walls stay dry cuts down on the risk of mold, which can jeopardize indoor air quality and your home’s structural stability.
• Fire protection: Some varieties of insulation materials are fire-resistant, providing an extra layer of safety. If a fire breaks out, insulated interior walls slow the spread of flames, offering you and your family more time to escape and potentially saving your property from considerable damage.

What Kind of Insulation Is Used for Interior Walls?

The right material for your interior wall insulation project is determined by your specific needs and goals. Here are some kinds of insulation to consider:

• Loose-fill insulation is appropriate for situations where walls are already up, as it can be blown into wall cavities through small openings that are not difficult to patch afterward. Because you don’t need an extensive renovation, this is a way to keep the cost and inconvenience to a minimum.
• Spray foam insulation expands to fill cavities, cracks and gaps, making it ideal for uneven areas within walls or next to obstructions. It also has exceptional thermal properties and is good at reducing sound. Spray foam is a fantastic choice if you’re building new interior walls, but it typically is more costly.
• Fiberglass batts are a desirable, cost-effective choice that are easy to install in new construction or renovations where walls are are unfinished and still open. They provide effective thermal performance but installers must be careful to avoid gaps.
• Mineral wool is denser than fiberglass, which makes it a preferable option for fire resistance and soundproofing.
• Rigid foam board delivers high insulation values in thin profiles, making it useful for new construction or extensive renovations involving thin interior walls. However, it can only be installed if the walls are open.

Additional Ways to Enhance Home Efficiency

Although insulating interior walls is beneficial in several ways, it doesn’t do a lot to minimize your utility bills. If efficiency is your main objective, try these improvements to yield more significant results:

• Add attic insulation: This is the most effective spot to add insulation to an existing home. A nice, big layer of attic insulation stops heat from escaping in the winter and getting in through the ceiling in the summer.
• Seal air leaks: This consists of pinpointing the location of and blocking leaks around doors, windows and other openings in outside walls to stop warm or cool air from escaping. Caulk, weatherstripping and expanding spray foam are the most effective tools for the job.
• Install double-pane windows: If your home still has old, single-pane windows, contemplate opting for double-pane windows for an extra level of insulation. This purchase helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cool and more comfortable in the summer.
• Get a smart thermostat: Thermostats with learning capabilities can adjust your home’s temperature based on your habits and preferences, optimizing energy use and lowering your utility bills.
• Replace old HVAC equipment: A new, energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner uses less energy to heat and cool your home than an outdated system.

Questions about Insulation in Windsor? Call the Experts at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts

Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts can assist with many of your home renovation plans. If it’s related to HVAC, plumbing or electrical, our skilled team can help! The certified technicians at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts provide fast, long-lasting solutions with guaranteed results. If you’re not completely happy with our work, we promise to make it right. For innovative solutions and expert service customized for your unique needs, call 226-773-3357 today to reach the team at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts.