The benefits of insulating interior walls

Most countries have building codes that require a minimum amount of insulation in a home’s exterior walls and ceiling. Insulating interior walls is not as common, although it offers homeowners some energy-saving and sound-dampening benefits. The best time to insulate all walls with XPS boards, for example, is during new construction, but it is possible to add insulation to existing walls without removing the drywall. In this article you can read why you would do well, because we inform you about the benefits of insulating interior walls!

Energy efficiency

Interior wall insulation can save on home energy costs, especially if the home has rooms that are not in use year-round. Three-season rooms, unused guest rooms or even storage areas are expensive to heat and cool. Interior wall insulation reduces heat transfer. While you’ll save some money by closing off rooms when they’re not in use, it’s not always a good idea to skip heating or cooling altogether if you live in an area with extreme temperature fluctuations. When rooms are not up to temperature, the framing is more likely to expand and contract, contributing to cracked drywall.

Sound dampening

Insulating interior walls reduce some sound transmission from room to room. Because sound also travels through wooden frames, insulating a standard interior wall does not create a completely soundproof barrier. In rooms that require strong soundproofing, such as home theaters, a double-skin wall consisting of staggered studs in addition to insulation is usually required. This way, the room will be completely muted when it comes to sound, so you can watch your favorite movie on the TV you bought on offer without being disturbed by outside noise.

Fire resistant

Interior walls separating individual living areas in duplexes or apartments, known as “party walls,” often require insulation not only to reduce sound and thermal transmission, but also to prevent the spread of fire from one side of the wall to the other. stop others. In this case, the insulation must be fire-resistant, along with the drywall, tape, and compound used to build the wall. Check with your local building authority before building or modifying a party wall. You may need a permit, and a code enforcement officer will inspect the wall to make sure it complies with fire codes.

Options

Fiberglass batt insulation is the cheapest and most DIY option. For new construction, choose unfinished batts and place them between wall studs without compressing the batts. The mats are available in widths to fit standard stud spacing. Expandable foam insulation is available but requires professional installation. Blown in cellulose is an option for existing walls. It requires holes to be drilled at the top of each stud space and then patched to repair the wall. You can also use rock wool plates to insulate the interior walls. Which option is best, it is best to ask an expert!