As bitterly cold as Wisconsin winters are, it is important to make sure your home is properly insulated so that you can stay comfortable without spending too much on heating costs. If your home is more than a decade or two old, it may have less home insulation than the U.S. Department of Energy currently recommends.

What Does R-Value Mean?

R-value is a measurement of a material’s resistance to the flow of heat. Insulation with a higher R-value resists heat flow better than one with a lower R-value, meaning it will hold on to the heat long after your furnace or heating system turns off. This minimizes your heating costs while keeping your family warm and cozy. For homes in Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends home insulation levels of:

• R-60 in the attic
• R-30 for floors in southern Wisconsin and R-38 for northern areas
• R-20 to R-25 for exterior walls, with a combination of in-wall insulation and exterior continuous insulation

Choosing the Right Home Insulation

The quality and amount of insulation in your Wisconsin home can have a dramatic impact on your comfort. Proper insulation can keep your home warmer, reduce drafts, improve air quality, and keep your utility costs lower year-round. There are several types of insulation available for your Wisconsin home, including:

• Fiberglass or mineral wool batts – Cost-effective and easy to install, fiberglass batts, mineral wool batts, or recycled cotton batts offer good thermal performance and are best for new homes or extensive renovations, as they must be installed before drywall or other wall finishes are added.
• Blown-in insulation – Made from loose fiberglass or cellulose, blown-in insulation fills the wall cavities with a dense layer of insulation for excellent thermal performance and air sealing. It can be added to existing homes through small openings in the walls or directly over existing attic insulation.
• Spray foam insulation – With one of the highest R-values per inch of installed insulation, spray foam offers impressive thermal performance and air sealing, but it is also more expensive than fiberglass or cellulose.
• Rigid foam insulation – Foam boards or panels that offer impressive R-values are ideal for continuous insulation on the exterior of a home, beneath the siding.

If you are building a new home or doing extensive remodeling, spray foam or fiberglass batts may be your best option for the ultimate in performance and efficiency, with fiberglass being slightly better for the budget. For existing homes in Wisconsin, blown-in fiberglass or cellulose are ideal, as they can be installed with minimal work or remodeling while providing great thermal performance.

Home Insulation Services in Wisconsin

Are you tired of living in a cold, drafty home with high energy costs? Upgrade your home insulation with help from our team at First Quality Roofing in Wisconsin. We specialize in blown-in fiberglass insulation, and we can evaluate your home for free to determine if adding insulation will be beneficial for your comfort and budget. We feature friendly, highly skilled technicians, upfront pricing so that there are never any surprises, impressive warranties, and up to 100% financing with great terms and conditions.

Trust First Quality Roofing for all your home insulation needs in Wisconsin. Call 715-350-2162 today or contact us online to schedule an insulation inspection in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Kenosha, or the surrounding areas.