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Yes, you should insulate behind shower walls. Insulating helps prevent heat loss, which keeps the shower or tub from getting too cold and helps maintain a comfortable temperature in your bathroom. Additionally, proper insulation and air sealing can help prevent wall rot and moisture buildup. It is recommended to use a high R-value rated foam insulation combined with a vapor barrier.

Your house may be cold even if the heat is on because of bad insulation, gaps in doors, small holes pulling hot air from the home, or excess humidity. The heater itself might be malfunctioning. For this problem, you’d need to talk to an HVAC pro. If you have a gas heating system (most do) this should be considered an urgent job as natural gas could be leaking in your home.

STC (Sound Transmission Class) is a rating that describes how well a building material or assembly blocks airborne sound. A higher STC rating means less noise will pass through the material, providing better sound reduction. This rating system applies to various building components, including windows, doors, flooring, drywall, and insulation.

For context, a typical single-pane window has an STC rating of around 25 (where normal conversations are audible), while a well-sealed, double-pane window can exceed STC 45 (blocking loud speech and most music). It is important to note that for some products, like soundproofing drywall, the STC rating refers to the entire wall system, not just the individual panel.

Additionally, STC ratings are most effective for measuring sound reduction at mid-to-high frequencies, such as human speech, and may not accurately reflect how well a material blocks low-frequency sounds like bass music or thunder. Because of these factors, it is recommended to consult a professional to determine the right STC-rated materials for your specific soundproofing needs.

As long as a licensed professional installs your gas lines, you don’t have to do anything extra to prepare for cold weather. If there are pipes that require a wrap, your installer should have done it for you already. If you want to be absolutely sure your gas system is good to go for winter, the best option is to schedule a gas line inspection.