New Construction Series, Episode 5: Insulation, Your Home's Secret Weapon

• Batt Insulation: Pre-cut rolls of fiberglass or mineral wool that fit between the studs. 
• Blown-in Insulation: Loose fiberglass or cellulose blown in with a machine. 
• Spray Foam: Foam sprayed in that expands to fill every gap. 

Each has trade-offs.  Batts are affordable and effective when installed carefully.  Spray foam costs more but seals tightly, and when it's applied to the roof deck it can bring the attic, and the AC ductwork up there, much closer to indoor temperature.  

Air sealing, the attic, and radiant barrier

Insulation only works as well as the air sealing around it.  Before or alongside the insulation, crews caulk and foam the little gaps that let hot air sneak in: around windows and doors, where the walls meet the slab, and anywhere a pipe, wire, or duct passes through the framing.  

The attic is the other big piece here. On a Texas summer afternoon, an attic can get far hotter than the outside air, and that' soften where the AC unit and ducts live.  Two features make a real difference:

• Attic insulation depth.  More insulation on the attic floor means less heat pushing down into your living space. 
• Radiant barrier.  Many new homes here use roof decking with a reflective foil layer that bounces a good share of the sun's heat back out before it reaches the attic.  

Together, these help your AC work less and your upstairs rooms stay cooler. 

R-value, HERS scores, and inspections in plain English

Two terms you'll hear a lot when you shop new construction:  

• R-value measures how well insulation resists heat moving through it.  The higher the number, the better it insulates. Walls and attics have different R-values, and local energy codes set the minimums.  
• HERS score (Home Energy Rating System) rates the whole home's energy efficience.  Lower is better.  Many Austin area guilders advertise their HERS scores, which makes it a handy way to compare homes from different builders side by side. 

Once the insulation is in, it's typically checked for proper installation before the drywall goes up.  Your own third-party inspector can look for problems too, like gaps, compressed batts, or missing pieces behind tubs and in tight corners.  Those are much easier to fix now than after the walls close. 

Sherri's tips for the insulation stage: 

• Ask what's going in.  What type of insulation and R-value is in the walls and in the attic? 
• Ask about radiant barrier and whether the ductwork sits in a conditioned or unconditioned attic. 
• Request the HERS score (or projected one) and compare it with other builders you're considering. 
• Ask if upgrades are available, like spray foam or extra attic insulation, and what the cutoff date is to add them. 
• Snap photos of the insulated walls for your records before the drywall goes on.
• Have your inspector check it if your pre-drywall inspection lands after insulation, so gaps get fixed before they're hidden. 

These are exactly the kinds of questions a buyer's agent helps you ask, at the right time, so you get a home that's comfortable and affordable to run for years to come. 

Thinking about building a new home in Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Hutto, or anywhere in the Austin metro? Texas Oak Realty Group would love to help you through every stage, from picking the lot to getting the keys.  Reach out today and let's talk about your build!

Catch up on the series: Episode 1 , Episode 2 , Episode 3 , Episode 4