Bathroom insulation is an excellent way to prevent the growth of rot and mold while getting the space soundproofed. Choosing the best insulation for bathroom walls depends on several factors, mostly on budget and preferences.
Find out some of the most recommended types of insulation for both the exterior and interior walls of the bathroom below.
Best Insulation for Bathroom Exterior Wall
Insulation of the exterior wall of the bathroom is generally seen as a more effective way to prevent the moisture-related problem, based on a functional perspective and given that it is done correctly. Some of the most common types of insulation used for bathroom wall insulation are meant to be performed on the exterior parts of this building section, including fiberglass, cellulose, and foam insulation.
Here are brief details about each insulation type that you may choose for the exterior walls of your bathroom:
- Fiberglass insulation: Compared to other recommended insulation types for the exterior walls of your bathroom, fiberglass makes the cheapest option. This particular type of insulation can be acquired in two ways: batts or blown-in installation. That being said, it’s important to note that fiberglass is the less effective insulation material among the other mentioned insulation types in this list due to the lack of thickness.
- Cellulose insulation: Cellulose is a subtype of blown-in insulation. It makes the most eco-friendly insulation in the market nowadays because it is made from recycled stuff. This insulation material possesses great resistance to insects, fire, and mold because it receives chemical treatment.
- Foam insulation: Foam is a fairly new method of insulation that you can try for your bathroom walls. It has an extremely soft and smooth texture, but it builds a solid barrier that’s very hard to penetrate by air and moist after it dries.
- Rockwool: This insulation is also commonly referred to as slag or mineral wool. It is also an environmentally friendly insulation material, made from molten substance to fibers. However, it falls into the pricier side of the range.
Best Insulation for Interior Bathroom Walls
The question of do you insulate bathroom walls is not rare to be asked, but even more so for people who wonder about the importance of insulating the room’s interior part.
In general, most professional constructors would say it’s not required to insulate the interior walls of the bathroom, but if you are planning to do so, then you may as well. A lot of modern houses also adopt this method for noise reduction purposes.
Insulating the interior walls of your bathroom also offers another benefit of comfortable shower wall surface temperature when you lean against it because it prevents the heat produced by hot shower to escape so quickly. This can be achieved by insulation the tubs also.
Interior walls bathroom insulation is quite tricky, and professionals mostly perform it because it’s typically done before the shower and bathtub are installed. Due to this, it’s more recommended to insulate the parts during a major remodeling or the initial build rather than doing it as a solo project.
Material choice also becomes more challenging when it comes to interior bathroom walls. Fiberglass is widely used, but it can be prone to moisture penetration. Spray foam is more recommended if you use it around the shower walls and protect the plumbing and pipes.
It should be noted that regardless of what insulation material you choose for the interior walls of the bathroom, the quality should match with the one installed for the exterior walls. This is meant to reduce the chance of frozen spots on pipes or whisked away moisture accumulation.
There is a list of options other than the best insulation for bathroom walls mentioned above that you can find in the market. It includes glass mat gypsum fiber-cement and many more that you can research further.
