Should Internal Walls be Insulated?

When thinking about home remodeling projects, the question of whether to insulate 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 below can help you decide.

Are Interior Walls Typically Insulated?

Generally, interior walls in a home do not contain insulation. Interior walls are commonly 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 call for interior insulation, so usually only in interior walls if the homebuyer specifically requests it from the builder. If you weren’t included in the building process, assume 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 different areas of your home, increasing comfort and lessening the strain on your heating and cooling system.
• Reducing noise: When you put insulation in your home’s interior walls, you dramatically reduce the amount of sound going from room to room. This is particularly useful 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 disrupting family members throughout the house.
• Moisture protection: Certain kinds of wall insulation act as a moisture barrier, preventing the accumulation of dampness inside the walls of high-humidity spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Keeping these walls dry reduces the risk of mold, which can undermine indoor air quality and your home’s structural stability.
• Fire protection: Some varieties of insulation materials are fire-resistant, providing an extra degree of safety. In the event of a fire, insulated interior walls slow the spread of flames, giving you and your family more time to evacuate and potentially saving your property from extensive damage.

What Kind of Insulation Is Used for Interior Walls?

The right material for your interior wall insulation project is determined by your specific needs and goals. Here are a few kinds of insulation to consider:

• Loose-fill insulation is best suited for existing walls, as it can be blown into the hollow spaces inside walls through small openings that are simple to patch afterward. Without the need for extensive renovation, you keep the cost and construction mess to a minimum.
• Spray foam insulation expands to fill cavities, cracks and gaps, making it ideal for unusual areas within walls or around obstructions. It also features outstanding thermal properties and is good at reducing sound. Spray foam is a fabulous choice if you’re building new interior walls, but it is more expensive than some other choices.
• Fiberglass batts are a desirable, cost-efficient choice that are easy to install in new construction or remodels where walls are open. They have effective thermal performance but installers must be careful to avoid gaps.
• Mineral wool is denser than fiberglass, making it a superior option for fire resistance and soundproofing.
• Rigid foam board offers high insulation values in thin profiles, and therefore it is useful for new construction or significant renovations that involve thin interior walls. However, it cannot be installed if walls are already closed—they must still be open.

More Steps to Increase Home Efficiency

Although insulating interior walls has perks, it doesn’t do very much to lower your utility bills. If efficiency is your primary focus, try these improvements to yield more significant results:

• Install additional attic insulation: This is the most effective location to add insulation to a home that is already built. A nice, thick layer of attic insulation prevents heat from escaping in the winter and getting in through the ceiling during the summer months.
• Seal air leaks: This requires identifying and blocking leaks around doors, windows and other openings in exterior walls to prevent warm or cool air from escaping. Caulk, weatherstripping and expanding spray foam are the best tools for the job.
• Install double-pane windows: If your home still has old, single-pane windows, think about upgrading to double-pane models for more insulation. This investment helps keep your home warmer in the winter and colder and more comfortable in the summer.
• Get a smart thermostat: Thermostats with learning capabilities can change your home’s temperature to match your habits and preferences, optimizing energy use and bringing down your utility bills.
• Replace old HVAC equipment: A new, energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner uses less energy to heat and cool your home than an outdated system.

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 improvement plans. 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, durable solutions with guaranteed results. If you’re not extremely happy with our workmanship, we vow to make it right. For innovative solutions and expert service personalized for your home’s needs, call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.