What type of insulation is suitable for my home?
There are two main types of insulation suitable for thermal protection: Bulk insulation and reflective insulation. The type or combination of insulation best suited for your home is dependent on the climate zone you live in. The type of thermal insulation you need is dependent on whether you need to keep heat in, out, or both?
A well ventilated home in a tropical climate would benefit from reflective insulation in the ceiling and walls, whereas an alpine home would better suit a combination of reflective insulation in the roof coupled with bulk insulation in the ceiling, walls and under the floor.
All insulation is not created equal. Insulation also has an associated R-value, referring to the ability of the insulation to resist heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the better that type of insulation is at resisting heat gain/loss. The R-value you should use for your home is dependant on the extremes of your climate to ensure adequate protection whilst ensuring your home doesn't overheat.
Bulk insulation will have an R-value for a given thickness, but the R-value of reflective insulation is dependent on its location and how it is installed.