Do Internal Walls Need to be Insulated?

When considering home remodeling projects, the question of whether you should insulate interior walls often arises. If you’re curious if your interior walls are insulated and whether it’s worth adding some insulation if they’re not, the information in this article can help you decide.

Are Interior Walls Normally Insulated?

Usually, interior walls are not insulated. Interior walls are frequently left uninsulated during construction because the energy efficiency benefits aren’t as great as 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, it’s a pretty safe bet that your home’s interior walls are not insulated.

Is Insulating a Home’s Interior Walls Worth the Expense?

Reasons to insulate interior walls of a home include:

• Energy efficiency: Insulating interior walls helps preserve a stable temperature in different rooms in your home, enhancing comfort and reducing the strain on your heating and cooling system.
• Stopping the spread of sound: When you add insulation to interior walls, you significantly reduce the amount of sound traveling between rooms. This is very beneficial for creating a quieter, more private home office or nursery. It also helps stop the noise from a music room or home theater from bothering family members in other rooms.
• Moisture protection: Certain types of wall insulation act as a moisture barrier, controlling the accumulation of dampness inside the walls of high-humidity spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Making sure these walls stay dry cuts down on the risk of mold, which can undermine indoor air quality and your home’s structural integrity.
• Fire protection: Some insulation materials are fire-resistant, adding an extra level 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 evacuate and potentially saving your property from substantial damage.

What Variety of Insulation Is Used for Interior Walls?

The correct material for your interior wall insulation project varies according to your specific needs and goals. Here are several different forms to consider:

• Loose-fill insulation is appropriate for existing walls, as it can be blown into wall cavities through small openings that are very easy to patch afterward. Because this doesn’t require extensive renovation, this is a way to keep the cost and inconvenience to a minimum.
• Spray foam insulation expands to fill cavities, cracks and gaps, making it great for irregular spots or in walls that have internal obstructions. It also offers outstanding thermal properties and is a good way to add soundproofing to your home. Spray foam is a great choice if you’re building new interior walls, although it typically is more costly.
• Fiberglass batts are a desirable, cost-effective alternative that are easy to install in new construction or remodels where walls are haven’t yet been closed up and finished. They offer good thermal performance but installers must be careful to avoid gaps.
• Mineral wool is denser than fiberglass, which makes it a better option for fire resistance and soundproofing.
• Rigid foam board provides high insulation values in thin profiles, which makes it useful for new construction or major renovations that involve thin interior walls. Then again, it cannot be installed if walls are already closed—they must still be open.

More Steps to Enhance Home Efficiency

Even though insulating interior walls provides many benefits, it doesn’t do very much to minimize your utility bills. If efficiency is your biggest focus, try these improvements to see more results:

• Put in more attic insulation: This is the most effective place to add insulation to a home that is already built. A nice, deep layer of attic insulation prevents heat from escaping in the winter and sneaking in through the ceiling in the summer.
• Stop air leaks: This requires finding and fixing leaks around doors, windows and other openings in outside walls to prevent warm or cool air from escaping. Caulk, weatherstripping and expanding spray foam are the most useful tools for accomplishing the task.
• Install double-pane windows: If your home still has old, single-pane windows, think about opting for double-pane models for an extra level of insulation. This is an up-front expense but helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler and more comfortable in the summer.
• Get a smart thermostat: Thermostats with learning capabilities can adapt your home’s temperature based on your habits and preferences, optimizing energy use and lowering your utility bills.
• Replace old HVAC equipment: A new, energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner consumes less energy to heat and cool your home than older and more inefficient models.

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 remodeling plans. If it’s related to HVAC, plumbing or electrical, our talented team can help! The ACE-certified technicians at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing provide speedy, long-term solutions with guaranteed results. If you’re not totally happy with our work, we vow to make it right. For state-of-the-art solutions and expert service customized for your unique needs, call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.