Without question, one of the biggest demands that custom home building clients want is an energy efficient home. Investing in energy efficiency will not only save you time and money, but you'll also create a more comfortable and durable home.
While there are a number of ways that you could make your home more energy efficient, let's focus this article on insulation.
Many people in the custom home building industry would agree that insulation is the most important building material in an energy efficient home. All too often, homeowners are tempted to splurge on fancy energy efficient appliances; however, without a good insulation system in place, the energy efficient appliances in your home may not be able to perform as intended.
Yes, while we are fortunate to have fairly mild winters in DeLand, it's not uncommon to occasionally encounter temperatures near freezing. And of course, Central Floridians are accustomed to a very hot summer season. Investing in good insulation can help to keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round without causing your utility bills to go through the roof.
When deciding which contractors in the custom home building industry you want to work with, talk to them about their insulation practices. With that being said, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to insulating your home:
Insulated Foundation
One of the latest advancements in home insulation is an insulated foundation. While it may sound strange at first, insulating the slab of concrete that sits under your home is one of the best ways to create a tightly sealed, well insulated home.
An insulated foundation can benefit your home in two big ways. First, it can play an instrumental role in reducing your utility bills. In addition, it helps to prevent against moisture condensation.
Structural Insulated Panels
If you're going through the custom home building process, you may want to consider using structural insulated panels in your home. This type of insulation offers an average energy savings of 12 to 14 percent, although there is a heftier upfront cost associated with it.
The advantage of structural insulated panels (SIPs) is that they insulate the entire wall surface and framing. Typically, they come in 4 x 8 sheets, but you can find them as large as 8 x 24 feet, which are ideal for new construction homes.
Spray Foam
Another high-end insulation practice is to use spray foam. This type of insulation is installed as a liquid, which then expands to fill the space and seal all gaps and cracks. Although spray foam costs more than traditional batt insulation, the strong air barrier that it creates will prevent you from regularly needing to make other energy efficient updates, such as caulking.
Before you get started with the custom home building process, be sure to talk to your building contractor about insulation practices and available options. Making the investment in insulation now can certainly save you money down the road and ensure a comfortable living environment.
Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about the different types of insulation that we install in our custom homes. As a custom home builder in DeLand and Central Florida, we have successfully completed over 500 projects and can offer you a wealth of knowledge when it comes to choosing insulation for your home.
When deciding which contractors in the custom home building industry you want to work with, talk to them about their insulation practices. With that being said, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to insulating your home:
Insulated Foundation
One of the latest advancements in home insulation is an insulated foundation. While it may sound strange at first, insulating the slab of concrete that sits under your home is one of the best ways to create a tightly sealed, well insulated home.
An insulated foundation can benefit your home in two big ways. First, it can play an instrumental role in reducing your utility bills. In addition, it helps to prevent against moisture condensation.
Structural Insulated Panels
If you're going through the custom home building process, you may want to consider using structural insulated panels in your home. This type of insulation offers an average energy savings of 12 to 14 percent, although there is a heftier upfront cost associated with it.
The advantage of structural insulated panels (SIPs) is that they insulate the entire wall surface and framing. Typically, they come in 4 x 8 sheets, but you can find them as large as 8 x 24 feet, which are ideal for new construction homes.
Spray Foam
Another high-end insulation practice is to use spray foam. This type of insulation is installed as a liquid, which then expands to fill the space and seal all gaps and cracks. Although spray foam costs more than traditional batt insulation, the strong air barrier that it creates will prevent you from regularly needing to make other energy efficient updates, such as caulking.
Before you get started with the custom home building process, be sure to talk to your building contractor about insulation practices and available options. Making the investment in insulation now can certainly save you money down the road and ensure a comfortable living environment.
Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about the different types of insulation that we install in our custom homes. As a custom home builder in DeLand and Central Florida, we have successfully completed over 500 projects and can offer you a wealth of knowledge when it comes to choosing insulation for your home.
