Did you know 90% of American homes are currently under-insulated? It’s true! That’s because most homeowners don’t realize what areas of their home require strong insulation.
By understanding which areas of the home need insulation, you can ensure a more comfortable living space and ongoing savings for your heating and cooling expenses. Read on to find out which areas of your Miami home need insulating the most.
5 of the Most Important Areas To Insulate in Your Miami Home
While Miami homeowners don’t need to insulate their homes against freezing temperatures, it’s still essential to protect against unwanted thermal transfer, so their HVAC systems don’t have to work as hard to meet their indoor comfort needs.
The following are some of the most critical areas for homeowners to keep insulated:
1. Attic
One of the most important places to insulate your home is the attic. Air can escape easily through the roof if your attic is poorly insulated, making your HVAC equipment work harder than necessary to meet your indoor comfort needs.
According to the Florida Building Code, homes in Miami-Dade County require a minimum of R-30 attic insulation.
2. Basement
Especially if you have an unfinished basement or a basement that’s always cold and drafty, adding insulation will improve its ability to retain heat. Plus, properly insulating your basement will help protect against moisture, so you won’t have to worry about mold, mildew or pests.
3. Ceiling
Like attic insulation, the Florida Building Code requires ceiling insulation materials to be a minimum of R-30. Higher insulating values (R-value) help keep homes more comfortable by protecting against air leakages through the most sensitive areas of the home.
By keeping your ceilings well-insulated, you can protect them from extreme heat during Miami summers. Insulation also helps keep condensation from forming on ceilings, which can lead to mold growth.
4. Floor Insulation
Ceiling and attic insulation usually must be higher because heat rises in a building. However, per the Florida Building Code, floor insulation should be a minimum of R-13 — significantly lower than the required ceiling insulating values.
Floor insulation is particularly important to install above crawl spaces, garages and other parts of the home that may be unheated. Insulated floors help minimize drafts, reduce moisture and retain heated and cooled air.
5. Wall Insulation
The residential requirements for wall insulation in Miami homes are determined based on the wall’s location:
- Framed walls: Insulation must meet or exceed R-13
- Interior block walls: Insulation must meet or exceed R-7.8
- Exterior block walls: Insulation must meet or exceed R-6
Without wall insulation, air can easily escape and prevent you from achieving total comfort in your home. Proper wall insulation also offers soundproofing properties, helping you enjoy enhanced privacy in your home.
Insulate Your Home With Installed Building Products of Miami!
If your home’s insulation situation could use some help, Installed Building Products of Miami is here with the expert solutions you need. Our team offers a broad range of insulation replacement and installation services for virtually any budget or project need.
Whether you have an existing home that needs updated insulation or are building a new home in Miami, our insulation team can deliver the top-quality insulation materials you need to get the job done right.
Call (305) 929-8657 to speak to our insulation professionals in Miami-Dade today!
