Virginia Insulation

For most homeowners, their house was not built specifically for energy efficiency. Older homes especially have less insulation than newer homes, and you can greatly improve your quality of living, as well as your expenses, by improving your home's insulation.
Before you get started, you'll want to figure out where your home is, is not, and should be insulated. You’ll also need to determine how much insulation you need in your home, as well as the current thickness or depth of the insulation you have. There are a few places where you can find this out fairly easily. If you have access to an attic or basement, start there – the structural elements of your house are usually exposed. If you don’t have an attic or basement, another place to look would be in openings of your walls, such as an electrical outlet. Also, be thorough in your inspection. Just because you find insulation in one part of the home, does not mean the rest of the house is insulated.
Once the type and thickness is determined, you can search online to find out the R-value rating that is suggested for your zip code. Insulation is measured in R-values, and the higher the number is, the better of a job the insulation will do from protecting your home. Since climates vary by location, so do suggested R-values.
There are many different types of insulation and while they all accomplish the same thing, the advantages and applications slightly vary. Some of the most common types are batt, rolled, reflective, blown-in, or spray foam, and they all work in the same way. There are also insulations made specifically for soundproofing. Talk to a contractor to figure out the best type of insulation for your home.