Can Insulation Add Value to Your New Home?

As a construction professional, you understand how important material selection is in delivering a quality build. While insulation might be one of the more hidden features of a newly built home, few materials involved in new home construction are as important for determining the building’s market value and future comfort.

Read on to find out how the insulation materials you choose can add value to the home you’re building!

How High-Quality Insulation Adds Value to New Homes

When building a home for your client, it’s crucial to communicate the importance of high-quality insulation.

Clients might be tempted to skimp on the quality of insulation, choosing instead to splurge on more eye-catching aspects of their new home build. However, as the building professional, it’s critical that you convey the importance of high-quality insulation, such as:

• Energy efficiency: Better insulation results in higher energy efficiency, which makes the home more valuable. Homeowners are more likely to pay a higher price for an energy-efficient home. A 2015 survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that “energy-efficient” was the second-most influential feature when making a buying decision.
• Market value: Homebuyers want a place that’s healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable, according to Home Innovation Research Labs. Choosing the right insulation materials can help you build a home that hits all these points, making it more marketable.
• Longevity: Poor-quality insulation materials can wreak havoc on homes over time, leading to air leaks, foundational and exterior damage, and other costly repair needs. By selecting high-quality insulation, you’ll protect the structural integrity of the home you build (along with your credibility as a home builder).

Recommended R-Values for Homes in Fort Wayne, IN

To determine the insulation quality, you must identify its R-value — the capacity of an insulating material to resist thermal transfer. The greater the R-value, the more resistant to heat flow the materials will be.

Here in Fort Wayne, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following R-values based on the placement of insulating materials in the home:

• Attics: R-30 to R-60
• Cathedral ceilings: R-30 to R-38
• Walls: R-13 to R-21
• Floors & crawl spaces: R-25 to R-30

Since each type of insulation is made of different materials, the R-value will vary significantly for each. It’s important to note that it’s much easier to add insulation during construction than to retrofit afterward, so be sure to carefully review your options before installation.

Types of Insulation Materials

Each type of insulation material features a different R-value. The following are some of the most popular insulation types along with their best application and R-value range:

• Spray foam insulation: Featuring an R-value from R-5.5 to R-6.5 per inch, closed-cell spray foam insulation is a great choice for attics, exterior walls, crawl spaces, basements and floors. This insulation type provides excellent thermal performance, air sealing and moisture resistance.
• Fiberglass insulation: Fiberglass insulation comes in batts (R-3.9 to R-4.3 per inch) or blown-in (R-2.3 to R-3.8 per inch). Batts of fiberglass come in pre-cut sizes ideal for installation between wall studs, ceiling rafters and floor joists, while blown-in fiberglass is better installed in attics or in walls and floors that are already finished.
• Cellulose insulation: R-values for cellulose insulation typically range from R-3.1 to R-3.8 per inch. This blown-in insulation material is best used in attics and finished walls since it’s simple to install. Created from recycled newspaper that’s been specially treated to enhance fire resistance, this eco-conscious insulation material adds tremendous market value to newly built Indiana homes.

Trust Momper Insulation for Your Insulation Needs

If you need an insulation partner to complete your new home construction project, look no further than Momper Insulation for the top-quality materials you need. Our team offers a broad variety of superior insulation materials suitable for any residential construction project.

Call 260-432-7543 in Fort Wayne, 219-663-7777 in Crown Point or 574-295-1683 in Elkhart to discuss your options and request an insulation quote today!