In a typical home, half or more of its energy loss is through the exterior walls, floor, and roof. Proper insulation, in addition to sealing air leaks in your home's shell, is vital to reducing these energy losses. Exterior walls can be the most important part of the shell to insulate, because of their large area.
If you plan to replace siding, consider adding nonstructural foam sheathing beneath the new siding. Nonstructural sheathing with an insulating value of around R-5 decreases a home's heating and cooling needs and helps protect against moisture buildup inside exterior walls. The rigid foam panels are relatively easy to work with.
Nonstructural exterior sheathing works in conjunction with wall-cavity insulation. To see whether the cavities of your exterior walls have insulation, remove an outlet cover or make small holes in a discreet area, like the inside of a cabinet. If your home does not currently have wall-cavity insulation, insulate that area before adding nonstructural sheathing. Blown-in insulation does not require the walls to be torn open.
1.) Determine how much exterior wall space you have, and then purchase the necessary amount of insulation and supplies.
2.) Cut the panels to fit.
3.) Nail the panels to the studs, in accordance with product guidelines for nail spacing.
4.) Use caulk to seal to the top plate and band joist.
5.) Tape seams.
Insulate walls to the correct overall R-value. The ideal R-value for insulating walls varies according to the climate in which you live. In general, walls should be insulated to at least R-11.
Consider applying the sheathing over the old siding instead of removing the old siding. Consult a professional to determine whether this is feasible for your home.
Install correctly. Make sure that the insulation is free of gaps. When driving nails, be sure to avoid crushing the foam.
Compare contractors' bids for the same R-value.. When comparing contractors' bids, make sure they are for the same R-value, not just the same number of inches.