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The most insulative type of insulation for behind drywall is spray foam insulation, but this is the most expensive insulation available. The most common insulation—sometimes considered the best for the value you get for the money—is fiberglass roll or fiberglass batt insulation, which is significantly more affordable but also far less insulative. The best kind of insulation for your house will also vary based on the climate in your area, your budget, and more. A professional insulation company can help you decide which type is best for your home.

Ductwork insulation in the crawl space is a simple add-on if you are hiring someone to insulate the entire crawl space already. Separately, it is only a few hours of work. The investment is nothing compared to the return since uninsulated ducts can lose up to 30% of their heating and cooling efficiency.

You don’t need to remove old insulation before adding new insulation. As long as the old insulation is still in good shape—not wet, physically damaged, or moldy—then you can stack new insulation on top of old insulation to get a compounding effect. You can also mix different types of insulation, like adding blown-in insulation around existing fiberglass batt insulation or installing rigid insulation boards over rafters in your attic that already have batt insulation installed. If your existing insulation is very old or damaged, though, you’ll likely see more benefit from removing it and replacing it instead.

When it comes to fiberglass insulation versus foam board, there are a few notable differences, both aesthetically and functionally. Fiberglass insulation is soft and flexible, meaning it can be squeezed into tight spaces more easily than foam board. Fiberglass insulation also has a higher R-value, making it a better pick for colder climates. However, foam board insulation can resist moisture and pest damage much better than fiberglass.