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Batt Insulation Buying Guide

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published August 27, 2024

Batt insulation does the work of keeping your house cozy and energy-efficient all year-round. It is situated in the walls and the ceilings of your house. It is among the most popular types of insulation. Let’s look into more about batt insulation and how they work.

What Is Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is a kind of insulation that comes in rectangular pieces. These are made to keep your house adjusted to the temperature outdoors. It works to reduce the exchange of heat through the building’s exterior.Batts are designed in a way so that they would fit easily between the framing of your house. These also fit in the joists of the ceilings and floors. Batt insulation is known for its easy installation and cost-effectiveness. Batt insulations makes your house thermally efficient.  

What Is Batt Insulation Made Of

Common batt insulation is made of materials like fiberglass, mineral wool (also known as rock wool), and cotton (usually recycled blue jeans material). Fiberglass is the most prevalent type because of its fire resistance and its affordability.

Features Of Different Types Of Batt Insulation Material:

Fiberglass Batt Insulation 

Fiberglass batt insulation contains extremely tiny glass fibers. Very thin strands of glass are woven together. This insulation material is most commonly used.  

Features:  

  • These are energy efficient which keeps your home warm in winter and cool in hot weather. It reduces the electricity costs for your house. 
  • Fiberglass batt insulation is generally cheaper than other options. 
  • It comes in pre-cut panels which make it easy to install between the frames of your wall and attic. 
  • It also helps reduce the noise reaching your home from the outer environment. 
  • Fiberglass is fire-resistant. It adds a layer of fire protection to your home. 

Mineral Wool Batt Insulation

This is made up of rock and basalt fibers and at times recycles slag from steel mills. It uses very dense and tough fibers from industrial waste. 

Features: 

  • It has superior fire resistance more than the fiberglass insulation. 
  • It is denser than fiberglass, making it much more soundproof.
  • It's better than fiberglass for thermal efficiency.
  • Mineral wool batt insulation naturally repels water. It is less likely to get soggy and moldy in damp climates. 
  • Often contains more recycled materials making it eco-friendly.

Cotton Batt Insulation

This insulation is made up of recycled denim and cotton materials. 

Features: 

  • Made from recycled materials, it eco-friendly. It is a great choice for ones looking to make an environmental difference. 
  • It doesn't irritate the skin or lungs, unlike fiberglass. It is safe and comfortable for installation. 
  • It provides similar warmth and coolness identical to other materials.
  • These are treated with fire retardants which makes them fire resistant which means extra layer of protection. 
  • Because of its dense nature, it can help reduce the outer noise.

Each of these materials have unique properties. These materials are transformed into batts to make them fire, mold and pests resistant. The best choice depends on your specific needs, budget and strengths. 

How Does Batt Insulation Work?

Batt insulations trap pockets of air in its fibers which is the bad conductor of heat. These small pockets largely reduce the total flow of thermal energy from inside and outside of your home. During winter, hot air remains inside making it warm and cozy. Similarly, in summer the insulation keeps the heat outside. Maintaining the cool temperature inside your house.  

Installing batt insulation can also help with reducing the noise from the outside environment. It absorbs sound and cuts down the noise that can enter through the walls. 

Benefits Of Installing Batt Insulation:

Using Batt Insulation Offers Many Benefits:

  1. Cutting down your energy bills - Batt insulation can moderate the temperature at your house according to the temperature. This will help you save energy and cut down Air Conditioners, heater, fans, and cooler bills. 
  2. Less surrounding disturbance - It cuts down the environmental noise that enters your house. It makes your home a peaceful living place. 
  3. Easy to install - Batt insulations can be installed on your own. Because of their designs it becomes easy to fit them inside the frames at your house. 
  4. Sustainability - Batt insulations are made of most recycled materials. These are sustainable in nature and are eco-friendly. 

Batt insulation is simple and effective in nature. These are a modern way to moderate the temperature at your home. When you understand what is batt insulation, what materials they are made of, and how it is made, you can make the right choices for your home. Installing the right batt insulation will keep your home comfortable all year-round. It will help you save energy costs, too. If you are building a new or redesigning your old home, batt insulation should be fitted as per the needs of your home.

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