If you like your home and its neighbourhood but are finding that your current digs are too cramped or don’t have the right floor plan for your needs, adding an addition may be a better solution for you than picking up stakes and moving. When you are making plans to increase your floor space, don’t scrimp on your insulation. You’ll want to make sure that your new rooms are comfortable and it can help to keep your heating costs manageable as well. New additions are the perfect time to consider spray foam insulation, as you don’t have to remove old insulation. Spray foam is the perfect air barrier.
Required Insulation for Your Addition
The local building code will specify a minimum thickness for the insulation. While your contractor does have to meet this standard, you can always choose to have a higher R-value insulation installed in your home.
The higher the R-value (resistance to heat), the better job it will do keeping heat in your home in winter and out of your home in summer. If you choose an R50 insulation, you are getting a much better quality product than an R10 one.
Comfortable Indoor Environment
A well-insulated addition will be easier to heat in the winter. The last thing you want is to have cold spots or drafts in your new rooms. If you have a central air conditioning system, you’ll want to have a home that is uniformly cool, without any warm spots which may indicate air leaks.
Lower Energy Costs per Additional Square Foot
A well-insulated addition in your home will increase your square footage but because it is more energy efficient will help to keep your energy costs relatively low. If you are concerned about the environment and keeping your family’s carbon footprint low, you may want to weigh out the higher cost of choosing a higher R-value product against the future energy savings you will get on your energy bills over the long term.
Investing in higher-quality insulation now can pay off over several years, since energy costs are likely to increase over time. Before making any decisions about the insulation for your home addition, be sure to consult with your contractor, who can explain your options relative to your project in detail.
