Insulation vs Re-Insulation Explained

Insulation and re-insulation refer to two different concepts related to the thermal insulation of buildings.

1. Insulation: Insulation refers to the process of installing a material or barrier in the building envelope (walls, roof, floor) to reduce the transfer of heat or cold between the interior and exterior of a building. Insulation helps to improve the energy efficiency of a building by reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, which can result in lower energy bills and improved comfort for occupants. Common insulation materials include fiberglass, cellulose, foam, and mineral wool, among others.

Insulation is typically installed during the initial construction or renovation of a building to meet building code requirements or energy efficiency standards. It can be installed in various areas of a building, such as walls, roofs, floors, and attics, to create a thermal barrier that minimizes heat transfer and helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

2. Re-Insulation: Re-insulation, on the other hand, refers to the process of adding additional insulation to an existing building that already has some level of insulation. This can be done to improve the energy efficiency of the building, upgrade insulation to meet higher energy performance standards, or rectify inadequate or deteriorated insulation.

Re-insulation may involve adding insulation to areas of a building that were not previously insulated, such as adding insulation to walls or attics that were previously uninsulated or under-insulated. It can also involve adding additional insulation to areas that already have insulation, such as adding insulation on top of existing insulation in attics or walls to increase the overall thermal resistance (R-value) and improve energy performance.

Re-insulation can be a cost-effective way to upgrade the energy efficiency of an existing building, reduce energy consumption, and lower heating and cooling costs. It may also be necessary to meet building code requirements or to improve occupant comfort in spaces that are too hot or too cold.

In summary, insulation refers to the initial installation of thermal barriers in a building, while re-insulation refers to the process of adding additional insulation to an existing building to improve energy performance, meet building code requirements, or rectify inadequate or deteriorated insulation.