As temperatures drop in winter, the warm air escapes through the windows and doors. You will have to use heating systems that consume lots of energy in order to keep the house warm. Insulating your home will add an extra layer of heat resistant materials that will save you money on your energy bills. Here is detailed guide on home insulation and draught proofing methods for the home.Unwanted draughts and cold air are not pleasant or comfortable. You should think about how to stop draughts that penetrate through the doors, windows, floors, and other areas of the house. Draught proofing is the solution as it combines various methods that are intended to insulate the home.The first step is to find out the areas that are most exposed to draughts. Generally, the entry of cold air or the escaping of warm air occurs near the windows and doors. Once you address these problems, you are on your way to resolving them. If you are still not sure how to stop the cold air from coming in, here are some ideas.For your windows, buy draught-proof strips that stick around the frame and fill the gaps with self adhesive foam. These foams are cheap and easy to use. However, they do not last very long. It is better to use plastic or metal strips with attached wipers. Again these are cheap but they are not long lasting.Measure the frame before buying the strip as it must be the right size to fill the gap. It is too small, there will still be cold air coming in. For sash windows, foam strips are not recommended. Use brush strips or hire a professional to do the task for you. Or you can use a silicon sealant to fill the gaps.The next step is to draught-proof your doors. It will not cost a great deal and you can actually save a lot of heat from escaping through the holes. There are various places that the warm air could escape from, such as the keyhole, mailbox, gaps at the bottom of the door and around the edges. Buy an all-purpose-made cover with a metal disc for the keyhole. Use a flap or brush to fit your mailbox and use a hinged draught excluding flap to cover the gap at the bottom of the door. For the edges of the door, fit wiper strips that are also used for windows. When you feel cold air in some areas of your house, you can be sure that there are small holes or gaps. The loss of heat from your rooms results in the fluctuations in the temperature, thus making you and your family feel uncomfortable during cold winter months. This is why the government has set out new building regulations that ensure all new houses are completely draught proofed. The tiny cracks around the doors and windows are wide enough to allow up to 20 percent of heat to escape from the house. Therefore, sealing these gaps will help your home retain the warm air inside. Wooden floors should also be draught-proofed by applying fillers in between the gaps.Insulation contractors specialize in identifying draughts in your home and they generally charge the same amount as it would cost you to buy the materials from a DIY store. These specialists use safety equipment and guarantee their work for up to 10 years or even longer. They are licensed and regulated by the state, so you will not have to worry about the quality of the work that is carried out at your property. One way of locating a reputed company is by going online and searching for its website. Read the previous customers' testimonials about the Insulation Company or contractor as it will be worthwhile to hire a licensed person rather than doing the work yourself. Whether you decide to do the draught-proofing yourself, or you hire professional contractors' services, the money you spend is worth the investment, as you will save significantly on your energy bills for many years to come. Most homes lose around 10 to 20 percent of their heat via draughts and lack of ventilation. The time invested to seal these gaps will reduce the amount of warm air that escapes. No homeowner wants to waste money on heating the house when all the warm air is going out through holes and gaps. Hiring professional contractors is a good idea as they will insulate your home properly and they can guarantee their work too. Here is some information about how these companies insulate a house: Cavity wall insulation is one of the most popular methods of insulating external walls. The thin brick walls are treated by drilling tiny holes into the wall and injecting the insulation materials into it. This method is referred to as "blown in" and is highly advised to be carried out by expert contractors. Insulating solid walls will save you even more on energy bills per year than brick walls. Home insulation and draught proofing is the loft or attic is another effective method of saving money. The contractors use thick insulating materials of at least 250 mm to lay in the loft area. This method can be done in DIY, however there are some areas which are difficult to reach and you will need assistance. By insulating your attic, you will reduce your energy bills and slash one ton of carbon dioxide.Home insulation and draught proofing choices must be taken seriously by every homeowner, especially if you wish to save money on energy bills in the long term. There are numerous insulation methods and materials available and each one has specific advantages. Many contractors specialize in a particular application, such as using fiberglass for attics and walls, or recycled materials that are fluffy for older types of properties. New build properties will benefit more from materials that are sprayed on. This is because these materials are resistant to mold, lighter in weight and have drying time qualities. However, it is best to seek the advice of a reliable company about the most appropriate materials to use in your home. |