by Joseph Sanchez
President, Rocky Point Home Builders
There are ways to insulate your existing or new home that will not break the bank and provide an improved level of energy efficiency. Insulating a home is a practical way to achieve energy efficiency but most homes constructed here in Puerto Peñasco typically do not incorporate any insulation because concrete block naturally offers a minimal level of R-protection (typically 2.5-3.0), insulation can be expensive for people building on a budget and although hot in the summer, Puerto Peñasco is pretty moderate during the winter so some people feel that they can get by without it. The three options below are all economical ways to insulate your existing or new home construction.
Perlite Foam
Perlite Foam is a loose-fill masonry insulation that is used to fill in the cores or tunnels of hollow masonry walls. Perlite is an inorganic mineral that has thermal properties and is the least expensive way to insulate your new construction home. This can be used only on new-home construction and cannot be retrofitted to an existing home. Perlite offers excellent fire resistant properties, is lightweight and does not require any special equipment or skills. You could expect an R value around 5-6 depending on the size of block you are using. Perlite Foam only adds about $3 sq. ft. to the overall construction price of the home. This option should be considered if you are building a new home. With the R-value of concrete block combined with the R-value of Perlite Foam, you could achieve a total R-value of 7.5-9 depending on the size of your concrete block.
Den Glass Exterior Insulation
An effective way to insulate the home is to apply Den Glass Sheathing to the home’s exterior walls. Den Glass has excellent thermal properties while being air, water, mold and fire resistant. It can achieve an R-value of around 4.5 per inch of thickness used. This is a product is great for people who have an existing home because it can be retrofitted to an existing home. With the R-value of concrete block combined with the R-value of Den Glass, you could achieve a total R-value of 7.0-7.5 depending on the size of your block. Combine the Den Glass and Perlite Foam with the block and you are achieving an R-value of 12-13.5. Den glass can add $7 U.S.D per sq. ft. to the cost of constructing your home!
Conventional Insulation System
Of course you can also use the traditional means of insulating a home by erecting metals studs inside the home over the interior walls and inserting the type of insulation with the R-value you desire. Once your insulation is installed you would then install your sheet rock, tape, mud and sand the walls. This would achieve the best R-value but combined with the other two options your home would be highly energy efficient. Installing a conventional insulation system will add $12-$15 U.S.D. a sq. ft. to the construction of a home depending on level of R-value.
For more information about how you can insulate your home properly or about any other construction concerns feel free to contact me at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com or by phone at 815-553-2683.
About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and renovations.