67If there is one area that needs proper insulation in your home, it is the bathroom. But, you may wonder what the best insulation types are for this room? We researched different types of insulation that are most suited for this space.
Even though bathrooms can get pretty hot and steamy, some areas may feel incredibly chilly or uncomfortable without sufficient insulation. Reduce the chance of sweating walls, cold spots, and mildew or mold growth with insulation.
Because bathrooms are frequently exposed to high humidity and moisture levels, it's best to use fiberglass or spray foam insulation. Insulation helps make a bathroom's climate more comfortable.
Poor moisture control in the bathroom and insulation choices lead to mold, mildew, and health problems. Read on to learn more about optimal types of insulation for the bathroom, installation tips, and other helpful information.
Insulating Your Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most well-used areas in a home. Because this frequently used room is often humid and moist, the risk of developing mildew, mold, stains, odors, and even structural damage is ever-present.
Using insulation that resists mold growth, repels moisture, and helps maintain a more comfortable temperature for interior and exterior walls is critical. Depending on your bathroom's layout and details, spray foam or fiberglass is best.
Of course, there are other materials and methods to help lessen the amount of moisture in your bathroom and resist mold. Consider mold-proofing walls with fungicide-treated paint-treated wood, and protect any drywall as needed.
About Installing Insulation
It isn't too difficult or expensive for many home projects to install insulation with help from a friend or family member. However, it may be better for your bathroom to hire an experienced professional to install specific types of insulation.
The most optimal bathroom insulation is a high-density, closed-cell spray foam, which is waterproof. The average cost for this insulation is $1 to $1.50 per board foot, with the cost of professional installation between $1,298 and $3,850.
Check out this spray foam insulation on Amazon.
Where Does The Bathroom Need Insulation?
Bathrooms can quickly become very damp, moist places, a hotbed for mold growth, and other issues. It is vital to have sufficient insulation between the shower or tub walls, around the sink, and the toilet to control moisture.
Although closed-cell spray foam is ideal, you can also use fiberglass insulation for different areas in the bathroom. It may be better to use fiberglass batting between walls, not immediately near a shower where it is more vulnerable.
Fiberglass board or blown-in insulation may also help improve the climate inside a bathroom. Good insulation helps minimize cold spots sweating, resists mold, and shouldn't need frequent replacement.
Blown-in fiberglass insulation has an average price of $1 to $2 per board foot, whereas batting insulation is $0.30 to $1.50 per board foot. Depending on your location, the cost of labor and installation time may vary, or you can try DIY.
Do You Need Special Insulation For Bathrooms?
The bathroom is a unique area in a home, prone to lots of moisture, condensation buildup, humidity, and the risk of mold and mildew growth. So, taking extra steps to use insulation that repels moisture is important for your health.
Installing a vapor barrier behind tiled walls, around the bathtub, shower, or between any walls that frequently are coated with moisture is a good idea. Adequate insulation is needed to keep a bathroom temperature comfortable.
Choose mold-resistant drywall, wrap pipes to keep them warm, and find ways to reduce moisture wherever possible. Don't forget that it is best to use closed-cell rigid foam insulation over a fiberglass type for an airtight seal.
Specific insulation will provide better performance to keep pipes from freezing, reduce condensation and cold spots, and keep structural damage to a minimum. Take additional steps to protect the wood from rotting and paint walls too.
How Do You Stop Moisture In Bathroom Walls?
It seems to be a never-ending battle to reduce moisture in the bathroom, especially with the walls. The best course of action is to use high-quality insulation and other construction materials that repel moisture, mold, and mildew.
Keeping moisture out of the interior and exterior walls in the bathroom is critical. It is imperative to maintain structural integrity at a comfortable temperature in the bathroom and reduce the opportunity for mold growth.
Ensure the spaces within walls are airtight and lock out moisture. Use a vapor barrier. Turn on your vent fan or open windows after taking a shower. Check for cracks or crevices where moisture can seep through caulk and enter walls.
Choose a wall treatment that includes treated wood, mold-resistant paint, and wipe-down surfaces. Don't forget to make necessary repairs, use paper-free drywall, reduce condensation, and control humidity in the bathroom.
What Insulation Is Mold Resistant?
Spray foam insulation may be a bit pricier to install, but it is more resistant to mold development. The structure of spray foam insulation is designed to seal out air better, so moisture from water vapor can't easily penetrate areas.
The risk of water damage to insulation is serious, leading to stains, odors, potential respiratory health problems from mildew and mold growth, as well as structural damage. Choose from a medium-density or high-density spray foam.
Fiberglass insulation is more susceptible to mold growth from contact with moisture than spray foam. It is possible to install types of fiberglass insulation in the bathroom, but it is better in areas less likely to get very wet.
Another choice for bathroom insulation is greenboard or mold-resistant drywall. As a construction material, greenboard is popular for bathrooms because it deters mold growth. Instead of paper facing, it uses fiberglass.
What Type Of Insulation Should I Use For Shower Walls?
Because fiberglass can be more vulnerable to moisture penetration, it is best to use spray foam insulation for shower walls. To protect any plumbing in shower walls, choose foam insulation designed for pipes specifically.
The type of insulation used for shower walls should be similar in quality to that in exterior walls in the bathroom. This helps reduce freezing pipes cold spots and whisk away moisture buildup from condensation and humidity.
In addition to using a rigid foam style of insulation, it is also helpful to install cement backer board, mold-resistant drywall, and help keep a tight air seal. Vapor barriers may need to be used to help fortify insulation along with the shower.
If you need an alternative to cement board, look into fiber-cement, glass mat gypsum, or other materials that don't use paper. Proper insulation helps repel moisture behind tile-covered walls and caulked areas.
Do Bathroom Walls Need A Vapor Barrier?
Finding ways to control moisture in bathrooms to keep them relatively dry between hot showers is no easy task. However, a vapor barrier may be of some help. When moisture rises and collects on the surface of walls, it can lead to problems.
If there is a wall that is prone to being hotter in the bathroom because of water moisture, a vapor barrier can help stop moisture from penetrating insulation between walls. A vapor barrier may be placed in a few strategic locations.
The green board may have a vapor barrier made from polyethylene placed between it and any water contact. Another area to cover is the cement board, which could use a vapor barrier placed behind it to help reduce moisture in the wall.
Don't forget to protect vulnerable drywall in the bathroom and any insulation from moisture buildup and related damage. Adding a waterproof membrane over drywall before adding any tile helps stop moisture and condensation.
Check out this vapor barrier and foam insulation on Amazon.
Conclusion
At first sight, it can be challenging to figure out what insulation to use in specific bathroom areas. Without sufficient, high-quality insulation in the bathroom, walls and spaces may be bone-cold, sweating, or teeming with mold.
The best insulation for your bathroom is either spray foam or a fiberglass type. Proper bathroom insulation helps keep mold growth, moisture, and potential health hazards under control and ensures a more comfortable climate.
Before you go, don't skip out on reading the following articles.
Read More: Why Do My Bathroom Walls Sweat?
Read More: 7 Types Of Caulk For The Bathroom [And Which To Choose]