Applying insulation to your exterior walls helps tremendously in boosting your home’s energy efficiency, especially when you own an older house . But what is the best kind?

Look For These Qualities

• AppropriateR-value. R-valuerefers to a substance’s resistance to transmitting heat. Popular wall insulation materials have R-values from about R-3 to R-4 per inch.

• Resistance to fire. To keep your home safe, look for fire-resistant insulation. Flammable insulation will need to be covered with a fire-resistant material like drywall.

• Resistance to insects and moisture. Insulation should resist moisture and infestation by termites and other pests, particularly when it is installed below grade.

Forms Of Insulation

• Blanket batt or roll. These flexible insulation types are available at a reasonable price. They’re designed to easily fit standard wall measurements between wall studs. The roll form is slightly trickier to use since it needs to be cut to the right length.

• Spray foam or blown-in insulation. Although it’s rather pricey andmore complex to use, spray foam is great for insulating difficult-to-reach or oddly-shaped areas of your home. Blown-in insulation must be applied with a special machine; however, the plus is that it can be used in just about any type of space.

• Rigid foam. In board or panel form, rigid foam is excellent for insulating unfinished surfaces such as basement or foundation walls.

• Reflective (radiant) barrier. This type of insulation is beneficial in warm weather, because its reflective action directs heat away from your home.