Insulation

The purpose of insulation is to hold in the heat during winter and keep it out during summer. Some materials do this better than others so a scale has been developed for comparing different insulating materials. The measurement, called R-value, is a relative rating that indicates how well a material resists heat transfer. A good insulation material will have a high R-value.

How Much Insulation
Insulation is required in any building where a temperature above or below the outdoor temperature must be maintained. The amount of insulation recommended has changed in recent years. Comfort, health, and economy are the three considerations for thermal insulation. Comfortable indoor temperatures depend not only on the temperature of the air, but also temperature of surfaces of walls, ceilings and floors. It is possible to heat the air to a comfortable level but still have cold room surfaces. The rising cost of fuel, coupled with past fuel shortages, has caused recommended levels of insulation to rise much higher than they were a few years ago. The amount of insulation is based not only on comfort standards but also on insulation costs, probable future fuel costs and local climate conditions.

Types of Insulation
Flexible insulation is manufactured in two types: blanket and batt. Blanket insulation is generally furnished in rolls or strips of convenient lengths and various widths suited for standard studs or joist spacing. At Lakewood the body of the blanket is made with glass fiber. These unfaced blankets, are easy to install between studs in exterior walls and held in place by friction. This type of insulation is generally used along with a visqueen (plastic) vapor barrier. Loose fill insulation is composed of various materials supplied in bags or bales. It is poured or blown in. Loose insulation is commonly used to build up any desired thickness on a flat surface. At Lakewood our ceilings are generally made up of loose fiberglass material blown into a thickness, which provides a R-30 rating.

Where to Insulate
Heated areas should be surrounded with insulation by placing it in the wall, ceilings, and floors. The floors of rooms above unheated garages or crawl spaces require insulation. However, at Lakewood, we heat our crawl spaces so insulation in the floors is not necessary. Many of our homes at Lakewood are built with concrete slab floors. The floors contain insulation and a vapor barrier to prevent heat loss around the perimeter. Very little heat is lost into the ground under the central part of the floor. Only the perimeter needs to be insulated. The insulation is installed horizontally or vertically about two feet along the floor or foundation wall. The insulation that is used is a polystyrene panel (Styrofoam). These panels are anywhere from 3/4" to 2" thick.

Condensation
Water vapor is always present in the air. It acts like a gas and penetrates wood, concrete and most other building materials. Warm, moisture-laden air within a heated building forms a vapor pressure, which consistently seeks to escape and mix with colder, dryer air inside. When warm air is cooled some of its moisture will be released as condensation. The resulting condensation will reduce the efficiency of the insulation and may eventually damage structural members. Moisture that collects within a wall during the winter months usually finds its way to the exterior finish in the spring and summer. This causes deterioration of siding and/or paint peeling. The siding is usually a material that will allow moisture to pass. During warm weather condensation may occur in basement areas or on concrete slab floors that are in contact with the ground. When warm, humid air comes in contact with cool basement walls and floors some of the moisture will condense causing wet surfaces. Covering these surfaces with insulation will reduce or stop condensation. Operating a dehumidifier in areas surrounded by cool surfaces will also help.