NORTH BROWARD & BOCA Blog

Insulation for New Constructions

If you’re in the process of building a new home, it’s time to make decisions about insulation. This decision is not always easy and should be taken seriously as choosing the best insulation material will affect the air quality and comfort of your new home. You will be spending the majority of your time in your home and spending a lot of money to build it right. So, you should make sure you are getting the best materials and insulation installation.

Reducing the air flow and heat transfer in and out of your new home will reduce your future energy bills and prevent moisture issues that could lead to health risks such as mold and mildew. Creating an air barrier by installing insulation can prevent that air flow and bring down your cooling costs.

How do I make my home energy efficient?

The most important decisions about the home of your dreams are made in the planning and designing process and the U.S. Department of Energy recommends including a whole-house energy efficiency approach in that process. Working through the different options with a team of experts allows you to not only take the objectively best materials into consideration but also what specific requirements you, your new home and its environment have and how those will affect your future energy usage. 

The following areas of your home should be taken into account in the energy efficiency planning process: 

• Energy Star rated appliances and home electronics - for less energy consumption
• Insulation and air sealing - don’t let that Florida heat into your home and overwork your A/C system; insulation will support your A/C and bring down your energy cost
• Lighting and daylighting - use LED bulbs and double-think your window placement for daylight but no direct sun 
• Water heating - go for ENERGY STAR Certified water heaters
• Windows, doors, and skylights - make sure these are properly sealed and don’t allow air transfer

In South Florida there are some additional options that work well with our specific climate in adding extra energy savings to your home:

• Solar Panels - for solar electricity and solar water heating
• Reflective roofing materials - that reflect more light and absorb less heat

A reflective roof works especially well in combination with air sealing and proper insulation as the insulation will keep out the heat transfer the roof is still allowing. Both together create an optimized thermal resistance. 

Which are the best insulation materials for new homes under construction?

The most commonly used insulation materials are Spray Foam, Fiberglass and Cellulose. Here in Florida, where the sun is burning down on us nearly all year round, attic insulation is the most important kind of insulation for your home and luckily the three mentioned materials work perfectly in your attic. 

Cellulose is a cost-effective option that has been used for insulation for a long time and can be applied either in pre-cut batts or through blown-in insulation. The durable material is made from a variety of different components ranging from old newspaper to denim. There’s no need to worry - even though that old newspaper seems like a fire hazard, cellulose insulation is actually treated with specific human-safe formulations that make it fire-resistant and also keep pests out of your attic!

Fiberglass is another long-standing favorite when it comes to insulation materials and is made from thinly spun glass fibers. Just like cellulose, this popular insulation material is fire and moisture resistant and can be installed in batts or through blown-in insulation. 

In recent years, the new(er) kid on the block - Spray Foam Insulation - has gained popularity and is now the most requested insulation solution. Spray Foam is the most energy-efficient insulation material and the only one that creates an air seal. That means, no outside air or insects will be able to enter your attic! Spray Foam is also Class One Fire Rated and doesn’t retain water so it actively prevents mold and mildew. Find out more about its specific benefits (and what the difference between open cell and closed-cell Spray Foam is!) in our blog about Spray Foam.

There are plenty of options for you to choose from when deciding on the insulation for your new home. Whether you are looking for the best energy-efficient solution (Spray Foam) or a very good, but also more cost-effective option (Cellulose & Fiberglass) - Koala Insulation of North Broward & Boca offers them all and will gladly help you insulate your new home so you can enjoy the benefits for years to come. 

But keep in mind - installing insulation now during the construction process is easier, more cost-effective and gives you more options than having to do a retrofit insulation in a couple of years when you notice your high energy bills!