A cold room may have insufficient insulation in the walls. You have three common options when it comes to increasing this insulation value.
Batting
Batting-style insulation is the type of wall insulation that most people are familiar with, as it was the industry standard for many years. This type of insulation consists of big rolls of insulation sheets or blankets, which are usually made of fiberglass, but there are some modern types made of wool or other materials. The rolls are installed between the studs in the walls, filling in the space with a thick blanket of insulation. The amount of insulation depends on the roll, but high amounts can be achieved if you are willing to invest in the type.
The main drawback with batting is that it is best reserved for new construction because it must be installed before the drywall or wallboard goes up. If you are installing it in an existing home, you must first tear out the wallboard, then install the insulation and replace the wall. It can also be time-consuming to install, as each roll must be cut to the exact size of the space.
Blown-In
Blown-in insulation can be lumped into two categories. True blown-in is made from fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose. It is literally blown in with a special machine. Spray foam is also applied by blowing it in, but it is a special foam made from liquid polyurethane which expands and then hardens in place. Both types of insulation are great for insulating odd-shaped areas or hard-to-reach spots. They can also be used alone or in conjunction with batting or foam boards.
Unlike batting, both blown-in and spray foam do not require that the wallboards to first be removed. Instead, a single hole can be drilled between each set of studs. The insulation is blown or sprayed in, then the hole is patched. This is a much better option if you need to add insulation to an existing home.
Panels
Rigid foam panels are just as they sound — panels of rigid foam that are compact and designed to provide insulative values. They may also have a reflective coating to further help reflect heat in the desired direction, whether it is into the home in a cooler climate or away from the home in a warmer climate.
Much like batting, rigid foam is best installed before the wallboard goes up. It also may not provide the same high amount of insulation as other options. The main attraction of rigid foam is that it fits in narrow spots, such as thin walls where other types of insulation won't work.
Contact a wall insulation contractor to learn more about these options for your home.
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