Are you wondering, can insulation help with sound dampening? The short answer is yes. The long answer? We’re going to get into that, but suffice to say, not all insulation is created equal, especially when it comes to sound reduction. Some types of insulation will perform much better than others. So let’s discuss the types of insulation that can help with soundproofing.
When you think of insulation, you probably think about heating and cooling control. Insulation is great for keeping heat inside in the winter, and cold air too come summer. A well-insulated home can reduce utility bills, allowing homeowners and renters to keep more money in their pockets.
Insulation can also reduce sound, something essentially everyone will appreciate. Reducing sound is especially important if you live in a busy city, or have an active household, say with rambunctious kids and pets bouncing around. Some sound-resistant insulation can go a long way toward making your home more peaceful.
Sound passes easily through the air. Let’s say a sound wave hits a wall. It will then travel through that wall. If the wall is hollow, filled only with air, the sound will quickly and easily pass through that air. Then it will reach the other side of the wall and pass through that, too. However, if the sound waves instead run into insulation, the waves themselves may be dampened. The sound might still pass all the way through the wall, but it won’t be as loud when it reaches the other side.
Insulation is great at reducing sounds coming in from outside. Well-insulated walls can block or at least soften traffic noises, neighbors playing their radio, and kids playing outside, among many other things. If you need quiet time, an expertly insulated home will reduce disturbances.
So how about specific types of insulation? There are two main types of insulation: thermal and acoustic. Both work to keep heat in (or out) and sound from entering (or escaping). Thermal insulation is usually made from materials that have a low thermal conductivity, such as fiberglass or cellulose. This type of insulation works by trapping air or another gas, which slows the transfer of sound waves.
Acoustic insulation is typically made from materials with a large sound absorption coefficient, such as an open-cell foam or cork. Acoustic insulation may be better than thermal insulation at blocking sound waves but isn’t as good at sealing in heat. That said, thermal insulation and especially fiberglass insulation is still quite effective at deadening sounds. Likewise, while acoustic insulation isn’t designed chiefly for keeping heat in (or out!), it can still reduce your heating and cooling costs.
In order to be effective, insulation must be installed properly. If there are gaps or voids in the insulation, heat or sound can quickly pass through them. Poorly installed insulation might deaden sounds or help you save some money on cooling costs. Still, at the end of the day, proper installation can greatly increase how effective insulation is.
Regardless of the size of your home, you need a properly insulated attic that will help regulate the temperature and keep your energy bill down. When it comes to your attic insulation, you have different choices. What is the best attic insulation for homes? If you are looking to insulate your attic, here are the pros and cons of the different attic insulation:
Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation
It is one of the easiest ways of attic insulation. However, this method also has disadvantages you need to consider. One of the main disadvantages is that this method requires many vapor barriers to protect the insulation from moisture. Moreover, this type of insulation has lower resistance than others.
Spray Foam Attic Insulation
This method is more expensive than the previous fiberglass insulation. It is made of polyurethane and is sprayed directly to the area that is being insulated. It is perfect for filling the gaps and cracks, and it resists mold and mildew. However, there are also certain disadvantages of this method. One of the main downsides is the cost. Spray foam attic insulation is two to three times more expensive than any other traditional type of insulation.
Cellulose Attic Insulation
Usually, this type of insulation comes from recycled paper or wood, making it a sustainable and green product. Unfortunately, there are certain concerns related to this insulation method. One of them is that cellulose insulation is treated with a significant amount of anti-flammable chemicals, which means that cellulose presents a certain risk of a fire hazard. However, it is more durable than other insulation types and is quite affordable.
Mineral Wool Attic Insulation
This type of insulation has been popular in Europe and Canada and is currently getting a resurgence in the United States as well. It is generally more expensive than other methods, but it has certain advantages. Mineral wool is perfect for blocking outside noise from coming into your home. However, it has one very dangerous disadvantage: Inhaling mineral wool is toxic and may even cause cancer. Therefore, you should proceed with extreme caution.
Ace Insulation Inc. – Unwavering Quality and Excellent Performance
If you are looking for an expert in insulation in Sacramento, CA and other nearby areas, Ace Insulation Inc. is the company you should contact. We specialize in different types of insulation and are focused on delivering quality services and products. Our professionals have over 100 years of combined professional experience, and we have been serving clients since 2011.
If you have any questions about our company or the services we offer, feel free to visit our website or give us a call.
Appropriately insulating is among the most vital things that a homeowner can do to enhance the general energy efficiency of his or her home. The United States Department of Energy approximates that homeowners’ energy usage for artificially cooling and heating their homes accounts for around 50% of total energy use. Investing in more efficient heating and cooling technologies is one way to minimize your cooling and heating bills. Nonetheless, insufficient insulation in your roof, foundation, or walls will raise your energy usage, the type of heating and cooling notwithstanding.
Most homes across the country use mats or batts of soft insulation such as cellulose, natural sheep wool, and fiberglass insulation. Rigid foam insulation in building and construction is a comparatively new technology. It is easy to install, long-lasting and can improve the energy efficiency of even the leakiest homes.
What is rigid board insulation?
Rigid board insulation is made from dense, rugged sheets of certain types of foam. The commonly used foam products are polyiso, polyurethane, or polystyrene. These types of foams are "closed-cell" due to their chemical structure, instead of most insulation products that are open cells.
Closed-cell insulation products such as the rigid board are usually more durable and robust. Moreover, they possess a higher R-value.
Using rigid board insulation
Since rigid foam boards come as solid sheets, many homeowners can self-install them in strategic areas around their homes. After fastening the foam boards to the walls, place furring strips over the boards. These strips give a safe base for completing your basement using bamboo plywood, drywall, or other material. For structures with concrete walls in their basements, rigid board insulation will be more durable, particularly in comparison to cellulose or fiberglass insulation.
Rigid foam board insulation is ideal for other home areas such as attics, foundation walls, roofs, and regular walls since they are moisture resistant. Nonetheless, this insulation option is generally recommended for below-grade applications like basements or external insulation.
The thickness of rigid insulation board
Rigid foam insulation board comes in standard thicknesses of a half-inch to two inches. Homes situated in extreme climates can order thicknesses of at most six inches directly from some manufacturers. All in all, the thicker the board, the better the insulation abilities.
Where to use rigid board Insulation
Rigid foam insulation boards can be used practically everywhere that insulation is required in homes. These boards can be used on basements, foundations, attics, regular walls, and roofs. When used above-grade, foam board insulation reduces thermal bridging, improving the home’s energy efficiency. On below-grade basements, a rigid board improves insulation while preventing moisture leaks.
Rigid board prepared from polyisocyanurate generally provides the most remarkable insulation capacity. Luckily, most rigid foam board insulation made using polyiso does not contain brominated flame-retardant chemicals, as these could be hazardous when inhaled. Nonetheless, this type of foam absorbs water, thus unsuitable for below-grade applications.
The durability of rigid board insulation
Due to its water resistance and firmness, rigid board insulation can generally last over a century.
The appropriate installation is key to ensuring the durability of this product. For instance, if you install a polyiso rigid board in the foundation, moister would quickly ruin the product, the same way it would ruin fiberglass batt or cellulose insulation.
Spray foam insulation was developed in the 20th century to insulate buildings. It’s composed of polyurethane and isocyanate, which chemically react with each other when combined. The reaction causes the material combination to expand and harden when it is applied to surfaces. Spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA is applied with a specialized tool that can shoot out both composites at the same time so that they combine on the targeted surface. There are many benefits to this kind of home insulation, and it’s worth considering whether it’s right for your home:
Energy efficient:
The more effective your insulation is, the more you can save on energy for heating and cooling. Because of how effective spray foam insulation is, it allows you to use energy much more efficiently in your home. Over time, that saved energy can translate into major cost savings that will offset the cost of installing your spray foam insulation.
Long lasting:
Nobody wants to install a material that’s going to need to be replaced or lose its effectiveness in just a few years. Spray foam insulation is noted for being long lasting and can provide you with effective and efficient insulation for decades to come. While spray foam insulation tends to be a more expensive option upfront, it can really pay off in the long run. Over time, the effectiveness of spray foam insulation and its longevity will actually save you money.
Resistant to moisture damage:
Homes in humid or stormy areas tend to have a lot of issues with mold and mildew growth. Lots of homeowners in these humid areas simply accept that they will have to deal with mold or mildew at one time or another, but spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA makes it possible for them to avoid mold issues, at least in their home’s insulation. This type of insulation is made of components that don’t support the growth of mold or mildew. Using this kind of insulation can help safeguard your house against the growth and spread of these contaminants.
Airtight:
Since the primary purpose of insulation is to keep your home protected against the effects of the outdoor elements, it’s important that the insulation you choose is as effective as possible. Since spray foam insulation expands to whatever surface or space it’s applied to, it covers leaks and doesn’t leave any weak points in your home’s insulation. This creates an airtight barrier that blocks air from outside from entering your home through the walls.
At Ace Insulation Inc., we know that spray foam home insulation in Petaluma, CA can have a number of great benefits, and that’s why we’re proud to offer spray foam installation services. In addition to spray foam insulation, we also offer installation of other insulation types including fiberglass. We can give you advice about which type of insulation is right for your home and offer quality installation services at prices that won’t break the bank.
Browse our website to read more about the different services and products we offer, and give us a call for an appointment and a quote!
When you’re building a new home, you want to make sure that you choose all of the best materials, including home insulation in Petaluma, CA. The insulation in your home keeps you and your family comfortable and can make a huge difference when it comes to energy efficiency, but it can be difficult to decide which kind of insulation is right for you. Doing a little bit of research about the different kinds of insulation you can choose from will give you the ability to make the right choice for your new home:
Blanket insulation:
Blanket insulation is the most standard type of insulation for homes. This product comes in batts of material and is usually made of fiberglass. It is a flexible material that is usually pretty easy to install—some homeowners even choose to install this kind of insulation themselves. There are a number of benefits of blanket insulation, including the fact that it is designed to fit perfectly between standard studs and joists. It’s also an inexpensive insulation option that’s widely available and doesn’t require any special tools or equipment to install. The main disadvantages of blanket insulation are that it tends to leave insulation gaps around certain parts of homes, which makes it less energy efficient, and that it can be challenging to install in areas that are difficult to access or have non-standard dimensions.
Cellulose insulation:
Cellulose insulation is made up of shredded materials, typically things like newspaper, that are combined with chemicals that make it resistant to fire and pests. Home builders and contractors usually use loose cellulose as insulation in attics and other unfinished rooms. In other parts of homes, cellulose may be dampened and packed down to fill in wall cavities. The primary benefit of cellulose insulation is that it’s an affordable option. In addition, it’s made of recycled materials, which makes it eco-friendly. Unfortunately, even with the chemical treatment that makes cellulose insulation fire resistant, it can pose a serious fire hazard if it isn’t installed properly.
Blown-in insulation:
Blown-in fiberglass insulation is made from molten glass that is blown into fibers and binds to the material to fill in wall cavities. Blown-in insulation in Petaluma, CA is incredibly effective at blocking out thermal heat transfer in the summer and cold transfer during the winter. It’s also resistant to moisture and mold growth, which makes it ideal for homes in humid areas. The primary disadvantage of blown-in insulation is that it can be a costly investment upfront.
Are you still on the fence about what type of home insulation in Petaluma, CA is right for your new home? Give Ace Insulation Inc. a call for help with the selection and installation of quality insulation. We offer a wide range of insulation options, including fiberglass insulation and blown-in insulation. We have experience with installing insulation for new construction and existing homes alike, and we are equipped to tackle just about any of your insulation needs.
To schedule a consultation, find out more about pricing or learn more about our services, reach out to us by phone today.
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