Do You Need to Insulate Internal Walls?

When researching home improvements, the question of whether it’s worth insulating your home’s interior walls often arises. If you’re curious if your interior walls are insulated and whether it’s worthwhile to add insulation if they’re not, the information here can help you decide.

Are Interior Walls Usually Insulated?

Generally, interior walls are not insulated. Interior walls are frequently left uninsulated during construction because the energy efficiency benefits are less significant than those gained from insulating exterior walls, floors and ceilings. State and local codes don’t mandate interior insulation, so usually only in interior walls if the homebuyer specifically instructs the builder to add the extra insulation. If you weren’t involved in the building process, chances are good your home’s interior walls are not insulated.

Is it Worth Insulating Interior Walls?

Reasons to insulate interior walls of a home include:

• Energy efficiency: Insulating interior walls helps keep a stable temperature in all rooms in your home, improving comfort and lowering the strain on your heating and cooling system.
• Stopping the spread of sound: When you insulate interior walls, you significantly reduce the amount of sound traveling between rooms. This is especially ideal for creating a quieter and calmer atmosphere for a home office or nursery. It also helps stop the noise from a music room or home theater from disturbing family members in other parts of the home.
• Moisture protection: Certain kinds of wall insulation function as a moisture barrier, combating the accumulation of dampness inside the walls of high-humidity spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Stopping moisture from getting into these walls lowers the risk of mold, which can undermine indoor air quality and your home’s structural integrity.
• Fire protection: Certain kinds of insulation materials are fire-resistant, providing an extra layer of safety. If a fire starts in the home, insulated interior walls slow the spread of flames, providing you and your family more time to escape and potentially saving your property from substantial damage.

What Type of Insulation Is Best for Interior Walls?

The proper material for your interior wall insulation project depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are several types to consider:

• Loose-fill insulation is suitable for existing walls, as it can be blown into the interior of the walls through small openings that are not difficult to patch afterward. Because this doesn’t require extensive renovation, this is a way to keep the cost and construction-related headaches to a minimum.
• Spray foam insulation expands to fill cavities, cracks and gaps, making it perfect for unusual spots or in walls that have internal obstructions. It also offers excellent thermal properties and sound dampening. Spray foam is a fabulous choice if you’re building new interior walls, but it typically is more costly.
• Fiberglass batts are a desirable, cost-efficient alternative that are easy to install in new construction or remodels where walls are open. They provide reliable thermal performance but require careful installation to avoid gaps.
• Mineral wool is denser than fiberglass, and as a result is a better option for fire resistance and soundproofing.
• Rigid foam board delivers high insulation values in thin profiles, making it useful for new construction or extensive renovations that involve thin interior walls. Then again, it requires walls to be open for installation.

Additional Ways to Improve Home Efficiency

Even though insulating interior walls provides many benefits, it doesn’t do very much to reduce your utility bills. If efficiency is your main objective, try these improvements to get better results:

• Install additional attic insulation: This is the most effective spot to add insulation to a finished home. A nice, big layer of attic insulation prevents heat from escaping in the winter and seeping in through the ceiling during the summer months.
• Stop air leaks: This consists of pinpointing the location of and fixing leaks around doors, windows and other openings in exterior walls to stop warm or cool air from escaping. Caulk, weatherstripping and expanding spray foam are the best tools for this task.
• Install double-pane windows: If your home still has old, single-pane windows, think about opting for double-pane versions for more insulation. This investment helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cool and more comfortable in the summer.
• Upgrade to a smart thermostat: Thermostats with learning capabilities can change your home’s temperature to complement your habits and preferences, optimizing energy use and reducing your utility bills.
• Replace old HVAC equipment: A new, energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner requires less energy to heat and cool your home than older less efficient equipment.

Questions about Insulation in the U.S.? Call the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help with many of your home renovation projects. If it’s related to HVAC, plumbing or electrical, our skilled team can help! The ACE-certified technicians at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing provide fast, long-term solutions with guaranteed results. If you’re not completely happy with our performance, we promise to make it right. For inspiring solutions and expert service customized for your distinct needs, reach out to us at 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.