Category Archives: Wall Insulation

The best insulation for exterior walls is spray foam insulation if it is new build and retrofitting with loose fill insulation for existing homes. Paying for cooling your home in Phoenix during summer is expensive! It’s possible to cut down on those electricity bills with quality insulation. We will show you the best insulation for your exterior walls in this post.

There are 3 main types of insulation commonly installed in walls.  The type that works best for your home depends on if the walls are still open during construction or a remodel, or if you’re improving the insulation of an older home. See below for more information about the exterior wall insulation options.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is sprayed on wet and it expands rapidly into gaps, cracks, and solidifies as a hard, thick foam.  This insulation type can be used to insulate the walls of new build and existing homes.  One of the best features of spray foam insulation is how well it conforms automatically to all of the odd shaped cavities and air leaks.  The R-value of spray foam depends on the chemical makeup as there are two variants, closed and open cell spray foam insulation.  Spray foam insulation does require a slightly greater investment, but it does offer superior performance.

Fiberglass Batt Insulation

For most people when they imagine insulation they think of those pink rolls of fiberglass batts.  It has been a staple for much of the country as it is effective and affordable.  As a favorite of both contractors and homebuilders fiberglass batts are designed to fit between common stud spacing.  This option is susceptible to air permeability unless it has a facing which acts as a vapor barrier.

Loose-Fill Insulation

Loose-fill insulation comes in various compositions from rock wool and fiberglass to the incredibly popular cellulose insulation.  For existing walls cellulose loose fill insulation is an excellent option as it requires less demolition to install.  In fact the only demolition required is to drill small homes in the outside of the exterior walls and install the insulation via a tube which blows the cellulose into the walls.  Much of cellulose insulation is comprised of recycled newspaper which is treated with fire retardant products to make it safe for homes.

How To Insulate Exterior Walls

There are three popular ways to insulate exterior walls.  The first and highest performance is spray foam insulation.  The second and widely used is fiberglass batt insulation.  The third is loose fill blown in insulation.  The first two types of insulation can be installed in exterior walls when the property is first built or during renovations.

Loose fill insulation can be installed in exterior walls by a process called “retrofitting”.  Retrofitting is an insulation installation process where small holes are cut into the sheetrock of your property and insulation is blown into the wall cavities to improve your building or home’s energy efficiency.

Spray Foam Exterior Wall Installation

Spray foam is an excellent option for exterior wall insulation.  Used widely in basements, attics, crawl spaces and exterior walls it not only provides insulation but seals air leaks in your property.

Step 1. Understand Scope Of Installation

For jobs bigger than sealing around dryer vents, windows, or other common gaps or cracks its typically more cost effective to hire professional insulation contractors.  Professional spray foam installers will have years of experience, safety gear, high pressure spray foam applicators, and the right spray rigs to do large areas efficiently

Step 2. Installation Safety Gear

Spray foam insulation installation produces fumes that are harmful if inhaled.  During installation it’s important for installers to use respirators.  Once the insulation has cured it is no longer has an impact on indoor air quality.

Step 3. Use The Right Equipment

A big part of making sure spray foam lives up to it’s design specifications is installing it correctly.  While some homeowners will get low-pressure sprayers the risk of spending the money to do it wrong isn’t worth the risk.  We use high pressure applicators with years of experience to get the job done right, the first time.

Step 4. Choose The Type Of Spray Foam

There are two types of spray foam insulation, open and closed cell.  While closed cell spray foam does have a higher insulation performance value it is more costly to install.  For this reason, many homeowners choose open cell spray foam as it is fast to install and more affordable.

Step 5. Clean & Clear Debris

Before spray foam can be installed extra nails, dirt, and debris must be removed from inside walls.  If it’s left it will affect the quality of the installation.  It’s also a good practice to identify areas where it’s especially drafty to ensure they get sprayed correctly to seal air leaks.

Step 6. Install Spray Foam Insulation

This is the most important and sometimes challenging step.  The spray must be applied evenly and around the edges of each void before laying a nice layer in the center.  This helps seal the air leaks in your exterior walls.  It should be done at the right temperature, which is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fiberglass Batt Exterior Wall Installation

Fiberglass batt insulation is another very popular exterior wall insulation.  The sections are sold in rolls and are the sold in standard widths that fit between your exterior wall studs.  With most having a paper backing vapor barrier they are installed with heavy duty staple guns.

Step 1. Calculate How Much Is Needed

The first step is to calculate how much fiberglass batt insulation you’ll need.  This is done by measuring the total area of your exterior wall or walls.  Tally up the number of voids you need to insulate on your exterior walls and buy a little more than needed for odd areas and mistakes.

Step 2. Buy The Right Type Of Fiberglass Batt

Fiberglass batts are sold with different grades and thicknesses for various applications in your home or business.  Some are designed to be installed in exterior walls while others are meant for basement or attic walls.  Ensure you are choosing the right types for each of the exterior walls you need to insulate.

In addition to standard fiberglass batt you have the option of choosing types of non-fiberglass batt insulation.  Some consumers are choosing batts made from cotton, mineral wool, sheeps wool and other natural materials which guard indoor air quality.

Step 3. Collect Tools Of The Trade

Whoever is installing the batt insulation must wear protective gear and have a staple gun and utility knife. Protective gear should include a face mask, gloves, goggles, and clothing that covers the arms and legs.

Step 4. Cut Batts To Fit

Measure the height of each exterior wall void and cut the batts to fit each of these spaces.  The width should have been factory made for your walls but the length is variable as some homes have vaulted ceilings.

Step 5. Set In Place & Staple

The next step is to simply put the batts into the wall cavities and staple them into place.  This is done by unfolding the side of the paper backing on your batts and stapling it to the wall stud or attic joist.  Ensure you have a staple at least every 6 inches to securely hold the insulation.

Retrofit Exterior Wall Insulation

Retrofitting insulation into exterior walls is a hugely popular option for older homes.  Whether there just isn’t insulation or the insulation has settled and isn’t effective, retrofitting will help.  This type of exterior wall insulation is best done by professionals with the right tools and training.  It is done by cutting holes into the walls and using blowing machines to pump the walls full of loose fill insulation.  Cellulose is a popular type of loose fill among other good options.

Insulation for Exterior Walls in Phoenix

There are few places in the world that can boast the summer time temperatures that Phoenix has.  As we continue to set record highs each summer it is increasingly important to have quality insulation in your home, attic, and exterior walls.  Keeping your home cooler with insulation is more than a question of staying comfortable, it is about staying healthy and keeping utility bills reasonable.

Barrier Insulation Inc. is the premier provider of quality insulation in Phoenix. You can trust your insulation to the professionals at Barrier Insulation Inc. knowing your house will be optimized with the finest quality insulation in the marketplace. For all of your insulation needs call us today at 602-499-2922.