All homes need proper insulation whether it’s the kitchen, living room, or bathroom. In fact, research says that quality insulation can save costs an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling. It can also reduce air infiltration by 25 percent! All this increases over time and can save you a lot of money every year.
Do you insulate bathroom walls?
Most modern homes will have insulated bathroom walls. There are many advantages to insulating bathroom walls. This is because it will help control moisture, protect you from the cold wall, and save energy too. Not having proper insulation can be dangerous as molds and mildew can form.
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Should I insulate bathroom walls?
Definitely! It can completely improve the environment of your bathroom. Well-insulated walls will keep your bathroom warm. Besides that, there are other benefits. Let’s talk about some of them.
Moisture Control:
Moisture is easily created from regular activities such as showering whether it is in your bathroom or any other place in the home. Often moisture condenses in the walls which can lead to several issues such as mold, water stains, and rot.
These problems can turn into serious health risks too. This is why insulate the interior walls of your bathroom to reduce the levels of moisture collection. You can take an extra step by attaching vapor-resistant membranes to your insulation which can prevent condensation.
Protection from the cold wall:
It is an uncomfortable feeling to lean against a cold wall while enjoying a hot shower. This can happen if your shower is placed on an uninsulated exterior wall. Since shower units are directly onto the wall framing, there is no drywall layer between the stud cavities and the shower unit.
Moreover, proper insulation will make sure the temperature in your bathroom is comfortable year-round.
Saving energy in the long run:
The cost to heat and cool is a lot. This is why you require a well-insulated exterior wall before installing the shower.
Keeping your bathroom insulated can help you save those bills. Older homes do not come with good insulation because people weren’t as conscious about saving energy and the cost to heat was not that high.
Do you need insulation behind interior shower walls?
Insulation is not required behind interior shower walls but that is up to you. Many modern homes have this to reduce the noise. Another advantage is that you won’t feel the ice-cold surface of the shower wall when you lean your bare-back against it. A hot shower will warm up the surface and stop the heat from escaping quickly. You can insulate around the tubs too.
Insulation behind interior shower walls is tricky and should only be done by professionals. This is usually done before the bathtub and shower unit are installed. You can also do it when you remodel your bathroom.
The interior insulation should be the same as the insulation in the rest of the exterior walls. It should also be covered with an air barrier made of rigid foam insulation, cement backer board, or non-paper-faced drywall. The drywall should be sealed at the edges and seams.
Cavity wall insulation will cost you around $300 and $1,000 depending on the size of your bathroom and the type of insulation product you use. It is cheaper than the other types and can save you money.
Should I insulate exterior bathroom walls?
This depends on you. Most houses these days are built with insulation on the exterior bathroom walls. Bathrooms have a separate temperature so it can make a lot of difference if you insulate the exterior bathroom walls.
Your bathroom environment will be warmer and it will also provide some acoustical insulation. If you are a bathroom singer, then it is perfect for you. Good quality insulation will reduce energy consumption and save you money in the long run.
Solid wall insulation is more costly than cavity wall insulation but has better performance. It will save more money in the long run when compared to cavity wall insulation. It can cost as high as $4,000.
What is the best insulation for bathroom interior walls?
The best insulation for your bathroom interior walls depends on how old your bathroom is, and if it has any previous insulation and your budget. There are several options so let’s discuss some of the main ones. Before picking the best insulation for your bathroom interior walls, check the moisture and R-value, thermal bridging, and ease of installation.
Batting: This type of insulation reduces heat loss and keeps out cold. It is made out of glass fibers in puffy strips often with a paper of aluminum face.
Blown-In: This is made out of loose cellulose or fiberglass. It is not the best option for bathroom interior walls.
Rigid foam: These are sheets of expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene. They can insulate your bathroom and also provide somewhat of a vapor barrier. Seal it properly.
What type of insulation to use for exterior bathroom walls?
The main categories of insulation are batting, blown-in, spray foam, and rigid foam. The type of insulation used on interior bathroom walls is almost the same as exterior bathroom walls.
Fiberglass insulation:
This is the cheapest option to insulate your interior walls. You can acquire it in two ways: blown in or installed in batts. However, keep in mind that it will not be as effective as the other types of insulation since the layer is not that thick.
Cellulose insulation:
It is a type of blown-in insulation. They are the most environment-friendly insulation on the market today. They are made from recycled materials. These materials are treated with chemicals that make them resistant to mold, fire, and insects.
Foam Insulation:
This is a new insulation method. It is very soft to touch and has a smooth feeling to it. But it has a strong and almost impenetrable barrier against airflow once it is dry.
Rock wool:
This is also known as mineral or slag wool. It is made by drawing or spinning fibers from molten materials. This creates insulation.
Is there any benefit to insulating interior walls?
Reduces sound transfer from the bathroom to the room:
Insulating a standard wall will not completely soundproof your bathroom. Sound can travel through wood framing. It doesn’t require heavy sound dampening.
Saving home utility costs:
Once again, one of the major benefits of insulating interior walls is that it is energy efficient. It will reduce the amount of heat loss which will therefore lower your energy bills. Closing off rooms will not work long-term if you live somewhere that has too much temperature fluctuations.
How to insulate bathroom walls?
Placing insulation slabs:
Position the insulation slabs or batts inside/on the walls, in between the studs.
Make sure it is a tight fit:
Do this by cutting off any excess material with a scalpel knife. Leave some centimeters on the sides. Fill gaps, crannies, and nooks using the leftover material. You can do this with a screwdriver.
Add a vapor-diffusion barrier:
This needs to be installed if you are insulating the interior bathroom walls. It will prevent moisture from getting inside the insulation. It will lower the rate at which moisture penetrates through the material and hence prevent molds from appearing.
How to insulate a bathroom exterior wall?
Get kraft-faced insulation for your exterior walls. You can also use unfaced insulation with plastic sheeting. Measure your wall top to bottom to check if it will fit your insulation. Do not compress the insulation. Staple the overhanging flange into the frame. Place your staples about 8 inches apart. Do not leave any gaps. Then apply canned foam insulation over the fiberglass. Do not overflow it. Spray only small amounts to fill it.
Can you cover the bathroom exhaust fan with insulation?
You can cover the bathroom exhaust fan with insulation but it is not mandatory. You can place it both over and around the exhaust fan. Make sure to cover any holes in the housing to prevent dust from entering the fan and falling on the bathroom floor.
Not all exhaust fan manufacturers allow insulation to be placed directly above the housing. Check the manual before installing.
How to insulate around a bathroom exhaust fan?
You can do this in two ways. You can install insulation on the ducts located below the fan. It will allow the duct to direct the condensation away from the fan. Make sure it is not in the way of other ducts. It should be sealed properly with metal or mastic tape.
You can also insulate the box instead! The first step is to cover your exhaust fan with an airtight box that is well-insulated. You can use rigid foam to make the box and tape the seams using tape to make it airtight.
Try to seal it around the exhaust pipe and seal the box to the ceiling drywall. Do this with spray foam or caulk. Cover the box and duct with attic insulation.
Are bathroom interior walls typically insulated for sound?
Bathroom interior walls typically are not insulated for sound and rather for warmth. However, sound insulation can be beneficial for your bathroom interior walls. After all, it is the one area of the house that everyone wants to keep quiet.
Bathroom noises aren’t the most pleasant and sound insulation can solve all those issues. You can sing in the shower, blow-dry your hair, and flush the toilet without disrupting anyone in the house.
Although most people don’t go for sound insulation as it is only best to do while remodeling. A lot of materials and tricks are required to do the job.
Whether you want to insulate your bathroom walls are up to you! It is not a necessity but it brings various benefits to your home and health! Good insulation can last a lifetime and requires little maintenance. The only problem is the expense but there are different types of insulation so you can pick budget-friendly options.