It is essential to have an energy-efficient home and for that, you have to consider insulation and the various iterations that it comes in. Installing an insulation system can drastically reduce the energy consumption of your house. Insulation is a system designed to reduce the amount of heat that leaves your home when it’s cold outside as well as the amount of heat that enters the house when it is hot outside. There are various types of insulation in Kenya and the one you will choose depends on the area to be insulated, budget, and DIY capabilities.
Types of insulation in Kenya
Below are several types of insulation in Kenya
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Blown-in insulation
This type of insulation is also known as loose-fill insulation. It is installed using a machine that blows the insulation material into the space being insulated. The paper-like substance blown in is made of fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose making it flexible enough to accommodate almost any location including tricky corners and crevices. this insulation method is ideal for attics and oddly shaped areas or places that require further insulation. This process is DIY friendly but for the best results hire a professional.
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Spray foam insulation
spray foam insulation is designed to fill gaps and crevices within walls and other surfaces. It is made of liquid latex or polyurethane foam. There are two types of spray foam, open and closed cell foam. Open-cell foam is the less dense of the two. when the spray foam is sprayed into a cavity it expands and hardens so that it completely fills each gap. Due to its flexibility, spray form insulation is ideal for oddly shaped and hard-to-reach areas as well as cracks and small gaps. It sets quickly and can be painted, trimmed, or stained.
3. Foam board insulation
Also known as insulating boards, or rigid foam panels these boards are firm structures used to reduce the amount of heat conducted through walls wood, and roofs. Typically made of polyurethane foam boards can be used nearly everywhere for both interior and exterior insulation. This type of insulation is known for its reliability and effectiveness. Best for unfinished walls such as foundation walls, basement walls, floors, and ceilings.
4. Batt insulation
This insulation consists of a blanket constructed from fiberglass, cellulose natural fibers, or plastic and is a budget-friendly insulation option . Batt insulation materials are designed to fit into the standard width between walls, attic rafters, and floor joints making it an ideal choice for traditionally designed areas. These materials come either pre-cut in a blanket form or uncut in a roll form, if you opt for the roll form you’ll have to cut it yourself.
5. Radiant barrier insulation
These are reflective barriers different from most types of insulation, rather than reducing the flow of heat, they work by reflecting heat away. this type of insulation is made of substrate material like kraft paper, foamboard, or polyethylene covered by a reflective material usually aluminum foil. Radiant barriers are both DIY and budget friendly and have proven effective in attics of homes in hot climates.
6. Insulating concrete foams
This type of insulation is for homeowners tackling new poured wall construction whereby the building form and insulation are mixed into one product to act as both the forms to shape concrete and insulation for energy efficiency. The concrete is poured into the gap between two reinforced foam panels to cure, while the foam remains in place for the life of the concrete wall.
Conclusion
By sealing air leaks and adding proper insulation to the attic, basement, and crawls spaces homeowners can save up to 15 percent on heating and cooling costs. Choosing the best type of insulation in Kenya comes down to specific factors, ultimately the budget and the area to be insulated, whatever the chosen product, it is a big step towards an energy-efficient home.
