Insulation tips from intelligent people for home renovation and repair - hiring, working, managing - for women, children and pets

House-wrap properly installed will do away with most air infiltration as 20-40% of the heat loss within an ordinary home is attributed to air infiltration. The only time to do it is when the house is being built, or when you're adding on.

To determine the insulation R-value, measure the depth of the material. Take a sample to your dealer.

R-value per inch:

Vermiculite 2.1

Perlite 2.7

Fiberglass 3.3

Rock wool 3.3

Cellulose 3.7

Polystyrene 3.5

To check for air leaks around windows and doors, hold a burning candle to see drafts coming into or leaving the house.

To check insulation work, perform an infrared scan. Utilities and others perform energy audits.

You will lose heat if you apply weather-stripping on a wintry day when winds are blowing. Self-stick tapes don't adhere well when the temperature drops below 50°F.

To determine which is leaking: if the moisture forms on the windowpane, cold air is leaking past the storm sash. If moisture appears on the storm window, warm air is leaking from the inside.

Do not insulate the roof of the attic if it is not living space; only insulate the floor.

Before you fill cracks with foam between the driveway and the house, walk around and check for holes around faucets, electrical service cables, and the like. After you foam the cracks in the driveway, it is nice to use up the excess on other holes in the house.