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4 Things To Know About Insulation When Buying A New Home

Posted On Wednesday, 06 April 2022 05:32
4 Things To Know About Insulation When Buying A New Home

Purchasing a new home can be an overwhelming process. From the stress of placing a purchase bid to familiarizing yourself with the home's features and other intricacies, the pressure is real. Whether you buy a newly-built property or an older home, it's easy to lose track of the buying process because of the considerations you need to take.  

Thus, it's essential to have a list of all the things you want to do during the home buying process. These can include asking the agent about the insulation used in your prospective home. By doing so, you'll know whether the home you want to purchase has adequate insulation or not.  

If you're buying a new home, below are the four things you should know about insulation: 

  1. 1. Types Of Home Insulation  

Essentially, home insulation refers to a material used to insulate the building to provide a barrier between the temperatures inside and outside. It can help reduce noise, control humidity levels, prevent dust and pests from entering your home, and lower energy bills. However, if you're purchasing a new home, it's crucial to know that there are different types of insulation to choose from.

Depending on your needs, you may consider the following options for your next home: 

  • Bulk Insulation: It's a common type of home insulation designed to trap air and resist the heat flow inside and outside the home. As such, it’s become a popular choice for homebuyers looking for optimum "thermal performance" in their new homes. Also, bulk insulation is usually made from various raw materials, such as glass wool, natural wool, polyester, and recycled paper.  
  • Reflective Insulation: It's commonly used to deflect heat to ensure a more comfortable indoor temperature during hot and sunny weather. It's made from multiple layers of aluminum foil, which is laminated into plastic. One of the best things about reflective insulation is that it can be attached to bulk insulation to create hybrid insulation.  

  1. 2. Need For Installation Or Retrofitting  

When buying a new home, it's also essential to know the need for insulation installation or retrofitting. Generally speaking, if you plan to buy a home that's still in the construction phase, you might need to consider the installation of the home insulation. Check with the building contractor how they intend to install the insulation. Discuss the type of insulation you want to be installed in your home. Also, when it comes to installation, make sure to check the local building codes for the insulation level and other requirements that apply to your area.  

However, if you're buying an older home, you might need to consider the retrofitting process. It's simply the process of replacing current insulation that failed or became damaged due to age or improper installation. To know if your prospective home needs retrofitting, you can ask the agent for the property's previous monthly bills or request a home inspection. If the property needs one, then you might want to consider it in your decision to buy it or not.  

  1. 3. Energy Consumption And Efficiency  

When purchasing a new home, you also need to check the insulation concerning energy consumption and efficiency. With adequate insulation, the property is sealed, which helps lower monthly energy bills and makes the house more efficient.  

Whether you're buying a house under construction or an already-built one, the insulation should be 19 inches thick for optimum efficiency. You can check the efficiency level by looking at the insulation products' R-Value. It refers to a measurement of insulation's resistance ability to heat flow. A higher R-Value means the insulation has a better thermal performance.  

So, if you want to buy a home with adequate insulation, check the thickness or the R-Value level to reduce energy consumption and ensure efficiency.  

  1. 4. Typical Areas That Need Insulation  

Many areas in the house are under-insulated or uninsulated. Hence, if you're buying a new home, know the typical areas that need proper insulation. This can help you figure out the need for installation or retrofitting.

The following are the areas that should be insulated before purchasing a particular property:  

  • Attic – This ensures that the air from your air conditioning system won't escape through your roof.  
  • Exterior Walls – This protects your new home against drafts and other related problems.  
  • Crawl Space – This ensures the floors aren't too cold to walk in and the air conditioning system isn't working hard.  

Bottom Line  

Buying a new home is about knowing and understanding what you're into. This means checking the properties' features, including its insulation. When you're familiar with your prospective home's insulation condition or status, you'll figure out whether it's worth buying or not. To help you with that decision, keep the information mentioned above in mind, and you'll be in the right direction.  

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