Insulation is used to lower your home's heating and cooling costs. There are many different types of insulation but the most important thing to understand is that in addition to insulation, you need:
- To seal air gaps that allow unwanted movement of air between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
- Provide adequate ventilation for warm, moist air that does get into your attic to escape.
To learn more about insulation, you can look up terminology here in our homeowner glossary or check out articles on insulation and related topics in the homeowner library.
Ice Dam – Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.
Incline – The slope of a roof expressed in percent or in the number of vertical units of rise per horizontal unit of run.
Income to Debt Ratio – The percentage of gross income that lenders will allow for monthly housing costs when evaluating a borrower’s qualification for a particular loan amount. See front ratio.
Index – A market indicator used to determine the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage. Common indexes include one-year treasury securities and the 11th District Cost of Funds. The actual interest rate is calculated by adding the margin to the index.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Includes all the factors that affect the quality of the air in your home, with support from the EPA.
Installation Level – Refers to grade levels of the installation site
Insulate – To prevent the passage of heat, sound or electricity into or out of.
Insulated Ceiling (IC) – Marking on recessed lighting fixture indicating that it is designed for direct insulation contact.
Insulation – Material used in insulating.
Insulation Density – Denser products have more fibers per square inch, providing greater insulating power through higher R-values.
Interior Finishes – These finishes are the materials and fixtures added to the ceilings, walls and floors of a house.
InterNACHI – Home professionals cam join the trade organization, InterNACHI for technical training along with the tools and support they need to run their home inspection business.
Interest Cap – A limit on the amount that the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage can change, regardless of how much the index changes. Most ARMs have a cap on both the amount it can increase or decrease at any periodic adjustment interval and a life-long cap that limits the amount the interest rate can vary over the life of the loan. The two interest caps are sometimes called a ‘periodic cap’ and a ‘life cap’.
Interest Rate – The percentage rate on a principal amount charged by a lender for the use of a sum of money.
Interflex – Flexible vinyl backing that allows the floor to expand and contract with subfloor movement and also bridges minor subfloor irregularities. These floors are bonded with adhesives or staples around the perimeter of the room and with adhesive at the seams.
Interlocking (Interlocking Floating) – An installation method that connects engineered hardwood or laminate boards to each other without the need for glue on the edges or ends. The boards lock together via a tongue-and-groove system. Interlocking floors “float” over the subfloor
Interlocking Shingles – Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.
Intermediate – Intermediate flooring installations are for the DIYer with several projects under their belt. You should have a working knowledge of a variety of tools. These flooring projects may take at least a day to complete, depending on the size of the job.
