Insulation
Insulation refers to any material that slows the transfer of heat. Most North American homes are not insulated at their highest capacity. Older homes, for example, are likely to loose energy due to bad insulation. Beefing up your home's insulation will reduced utility bills and add to its resale value. Insulation is typically classified in the following categories - flexible insulation which come in blankets of mineral fibers; loose fill insulation which is made of loose fiber pellets that are blown into building cavities with pneumatic equipment; foamed-in-place insulation which is made from polyurethane foam and is sprayed into place; rigid insulation which is made from fibrous plastic materials that are pressed into boards; and reflective insulation which is covered with aluminum foil. Insulation is rated according to its R-Value (or thermal resistance); which indicates its resistance to heat flow. The higher the insulation's R-value - the greater it's insulating ability.
