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Unfaced wall insulation is easier to cut and install, making it the better choice for a DIY project. It’s also more affordable. But if it’s unfaced, you’ll likely need to add a vapor barrier to reach your desired R-value and efficiency, as it doesn’t offer any moisture barrier.

Faced insulation uses paper or foil to create a built-in barrier and doesn’t require an extra step. It’s also more fire-resistant and safe. But it’s quite a bit more expensive and a little bit harder to work with as a DIYer.

For your safety, you should always wear a mask when cutting batts of fiberglass insulation. We also recommend wearing eye protection, safety gloves, and long sleeves to protect your skin. Properly suiting up helps you avoid several fiberglass issues, such as cuts from the tiny shards of glass and inhaling small bits of fiberglass.

One of the clearest signs that your insulation isn’t working as well as it should be is a noticeable difference in temperature throughout your home. One room might feel icy while another is hot as Arizona—this indicates that some parts of your home are either retaining or losing heat more than others. Additionally, a sudden increase in your energy bills, evidence of pests or rodents, or evident water damage are other signals that warrant a thorough inspection of your insulation and potential replacement.

Mineral wool has an excellent life expectancy of up to 50 years, provided it's kept dry and free of pests. Compared to fiberglass, with a life span of 20 to 30 years, mineral wool stacks up well for long-term cost savings. Sheep wool maintains a similar life span to fiberglass, while estimates for hemp wool insulation life expectancies are all over the board, ranging anywhere from 20 to 100 years.