As a homeowner, you are all too familiar with the never-ending list of home projects and repairs that will all need your attention at some point. But deciding which of these are okay to do yourself and which ones are best left to the professionals is not always easy. For instance, home insulation installation looks like a simple process from the outside. However, it’s not a DIY project for many homeowners. You might be considering hiring a skilled contractor to save you time and money, but what else can they do for you and your home?
Here are some of the pros that come with hiring a licensed contractor to install insulation in your Petaluma, CA home:
A contractor is organized and efficient:
A top reason to hire a professional for insulation installation is efficiency. The installation process is not as simple as laying or spraying materials into the walls. With the help of a pro, the outcome of this highly technical work can be successful. Working with a contractor, you’ll have to decide what work needs to be done, the work schedule and your budget. This is discussed after they inspect the areas of your home that are to be insulated. Communication is key!
A contractor takes care of inspections and permits:
Ask to see the installer’s business license and proof of bonding and insurance. It’s important that the installer is legit and experienced, since wiring and plumbing are often exposed during inspections. Building permits can be confusing for someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. In the case of insulation installation, your contractor will obtain all the necessary permits. This ensures that your insulation project will be up to current building codes. Most of the time, permits are required for major installation projects (for example, if structural or mechanical changes will be made).
A contractor can prevent home hazards:
You might not have considered potential hazards and the health of your home. In many older homes (those built before the late 1970s), it’s not at all unusual to find asbestos in insulation products. Removing and agitating the material is likely to send asbestos fibers traveling through your house. For this reason, a licensed asbestos professional will come in to test your old insulation for this health hazard. The insulation pro you hire can help you choose the best insulation material that works best for your home and the region/zone you live in.
A contractor’s work can lower your energy costs:
When your home is well-insulated, you can bet money that you will see a reduction in your monthly energy bills, an increase in indoor comfort and fewer airborne issues like mold spores, bad bacteria, dust, pollen and other allergens. A properly insulated home contains heat during the winter and coolness in the summer. You’ll also experience more consistent air dispersal throughout all the rooms in your home because air is not escaping through cracks.
Contact Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about home insulation and the benefits that come along with hiring a contractor to install insulation in Petaluma, CA!
Insulation plays a key role in your home’s indoor comfort, but when should you add new insulation? Let’s take a look at a few important things to consider when planning home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA.
Consider the time of year
What time of year is the best time to install insulation? Right off the bat, you should know that the answer will vary depending on where you live in the United States. Living in a warmer climate means that before the summer months arrive is the most ideal time to increase insulation or install new insulation material. Meanwhile, for folks living in colder climates, the best time for insulation installation is before that cooler weather hits.
If your goal is to have the work done in time to take on the winter temperatures, then a summertime installation is recommended. This way, your home will be comfortable by the time temperatures begin to drop. And doing this in the summer is a good way to avoid the appointment rush come late fall and early winter.
Consider cost
Once you decide which season is the best time for you for home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, you need to consider the costs of materials and service. The thing about insulation installation costs is that it remains fairly stable throughout the year. Because of this consistency, if you are hoping for a price drop closer to winter, you may not actually get a better deal. Instead, opt for an installation time that will increase energy cost savings.
Consider energy savings
Too many homeowners are unaware that they may be wasting hundreds of dollars each year because of heat or cool air leaking from roofs, windows, walls, doors and other areas. When it comes to energy savings, home insulation installation is one of those home improvement projects that is beneficial to do any time of year. No matter when you install it, a good installation job will ensure that energy is not lost. It will also ensure that the environment is protected and that you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Choose a proper R-value insulation to be installed. Yes, it is an investment, but it’s an investment that saves natural gas consumption in the wintertime and reduces the cost of electricity for air conditioning come summer. Your home will have a consistent indoor temperature throughout the seasons.
Consider the ease of the project
The easiest time to add or replace insulation is when you’re planning to tear down walls, like when doing a room or home remodel, building a home addition or upgrading the plumbing or wiring. Before you start one of these home projects, call a professional to determine if your home needs more insulation. A pro will inspect your existing insulation and calculate if it’s thick enough based on the zone you live in.
Want to find out if now is the right time to schedule home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA? Call Ace Insulation Inc. for more information!
Summer is a popular time for homeowners to consider adding new insulation to help lower their energy bills and prepare for colder weather in the upcoming winter months. One of the toughest choices is determining which type of insulation is the right one.
More and more homeowners are opting for spray foam insulation over other types of insulation products because it is considered to be the most effective type of insulation on the market. However, spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA can get a little complicated.
Here are some of the most important things to know about spray foam insulation before you commit to the investment for your home.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a chemically based insulation product that is created by mixing two synthetic materials together. The result is a thick layer of thermal insulation that is extremely effective at blocking heat.
Unlike other types of insulation, spray foam insulation will expand to fill all the nooks and crannies it is sprayed into, leaving no room for gaps or leaks and creating a thick air barrier.
There are two types of insulation: open-cell and closed-cell spray foam. Which one you choose will determine how effective the insulation is in your home.
Open-cell insulation is less common and offers a lower R-value (or resistance to heat flow) to homeowners. This type of insulation is much softer and squishier, making it better for hard-to-reach spaces because it expands, but it is not ideal for installation in the entire home. It’s also not dense enough to be totally waterproof, so it can let water seep through.
On the other hand, closed-cell insulation is a very popular type because of its increased density and higher R-value than both open-cell foam and other insulation types on the market. Closed-cell insulation is more durable, and can even aid in the structural integrity of your house.
Both open- and closed-cell spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA will be more expensive to install right away. However, homeowners often experience a significant return on investment due to the more efficient insulation.
Who should install the insulation?
Installing spray foam insulation is not exactly an easy DIY project. This process is probably best left to the professionals because the chemicals need to be mixed perfectly to produce the best results.
Spray foam insulation can be installed during new home construction or within an existing home, usually in the attic. Because of its versatility, it can be applied in both vertical and horizontal openings.
Major benefits
Spray foam insulation offers a number of benefits. Here’s a closer look at four of the biggest advantages it provides:
Tight fit: Both open- and closed-cell insulation can be installed essentially anywhere, even in the smallest spaces or corners of your home, leaving no nook unprotected.
Lower energy bills: Spray foam’s higher R-value and increased efficiency at sealing small holes and cracks usually results in significant cost savings for the homeowner through their energy bill.
Water-resistant: Closed-cell insulation is water-resistant, meaning mold will not grow on it and the insulation and surrounding structures won’t get damaged by leaking water.
Durable: Spray foam insulation is very durable, with the ability to last over 20 years without needing to replace sections. This results in a greater return on investment for you.
If you would like to learn more about installing spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA, call Ace Insulation Inc. Our experienced team of experts can handle any of your insulation needs, whether you require fiberglass, spray foam or loose fill in your home or commercial space. Call us today!
When it comes to insulating your new commercial building, you know choosing the right type is an important decision. Installing insulation with too low of an R-value, or resistance to heat flow, can lead to higher energy bills and uncomfortable conditions inside the space. Commercial insulation also needs to be top-notch when it comes to fire resistance, noise reduction and more.
While there are many options for insulation available, one of the most popular in the commercial world today is K-13, a special type of spray insulation in Petaluma, CA.
About K-13
Created by the International Cellulose Corporation (ICC), K-13 is a spray-applied cellulose insulation that offers a wide variety of benefits. It’s used primarily in commercial buildings to insulate ceilings because it acts as an exposed finish and can be applied to almost any surface that is properly prepared, including wood, metal and glass. No other materials are necessary to complete the interior look of walls and ceilings when K-13 is spray-installed.
K-13 spray insulation is made from recycled natural cellulose fibers mixed with chemical treatments and a binding adhesive. When it is sprayed into the insulation area, the insulation creates dead air space between the fibers and fills cracks and seams to provide ample insulation.
This type of insulation is ideal for thicknesses between ¾ inch and 5 inches and provides R-values between 3 and 19. Additionally, K-13 has a High-R system for higher R-value insulation options.
K-13 offers both thermal and acoustic benefits, which makes it an excellent choice for commercial spaces that need to be cognizant of their energy usage as well as the noise that travels through the building.
Additionally, K-13 offers condensation control, enhanced durability, interesting texture and a number of color choices to fit perfectly in your commercial space. Even better, its installation cost is typically lower than that of similar alternative insulation products on the market.
Due to the complex process of mixing the fibers and chemicals with the adhesive, K-13 must be installed by a factory-licensed professional with required specialized machines and nozzles. This is not a DIY type of insulation project.
Benefits of installing K-13 insulation
K-13 insulation offers commercial building owners numerous benefits when they choose to use this spray insulation in Petaluma, CA:
Durability: K-13 insulation does not need mechanical support to hold itself in place, but is very strong and long lasting. Most installations can last decades.
Different colors: While most other insulation products on the market are hidden behind walls and only come in one color, K-13 is available in numerous colors and can even be customized to match the building’s interior.
Versatility: Because K-13 can be applied on virtually any prepared surface, it is extremely versatile in terms of application and building construction use.
Noise reduction: The fibers in K-13 absorb sound rather than reflect it, helping to reduce noise levels within the building.
Eco-friendly: K-13 is made with 80 percent recycled materials, making it a “green” alternative to other types of insulation. Additionally, the adhesives don’t decrease indoor air quality, and the production of K-13 uses lower amounts of energy.
If you are interested in learning more about spray insulation in Petaluma, CA, call Ace Insulation Inc. Our experienced team of experts can handle any of your insulation needs, whether you require fiberglass, spray foam or loose fill in your home or commercial space. Call us today!
A well-insulated attic has a big effect on the rest of your home. You don’t want air to be able to escape or enter through your attic—otherwise you’ll have a harder time keeping your home warm during winter and cool during summer.
Perhaps your attic is already insulated, but you’re still having issues with air retention in your home. When was the last time you actually checked the condition of the insulation in your attic?
Here are some signs that it could be time to replace your attic insulation in Petaluma, CA.
The air quality in your home has decreased
Attics are often prone to moisture-related problems. As attic insulation wears out, there could be cracks or holes that develop and allow moisture to seep into the home, causing the attic to become a damp breeding ground for mildew and mold.
This can quickly become hazardous to your health, as mold and mildew release spores that cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. Probably about 40 percent or more of the oxygen you breathe in your home first passes through your attic, which means it’s crucial that you do not have any toxic substances inside it.
Some signs of mildew or mold in the air include:
Increased allergic symptoms when you’re in your home
The distinct, unpleasant scent of moisture or mold in your attic or home
Water leaks coming in through your ceiling or wall
You have pests in the attic
Attic insulation can become a breeding ground for rodents and other pests as well as mold or mildew. Other pests such as insects and even birds could also burrow themselves into old, worn-out insulation. Fortunately, newer types of insulation prevent that from becoming an issue. Spray foam insulation, for example, features composite materials reacting together to form a strong barrier. It is quite difficult for creatures to be able to form nests in this material.
You have problems with your heating and cooling
The most common symptom of poor insulation in your attic is hot or cold air not staying inside your house where you need it. You’ll likely notice elevated numbers on your monthly energy bills, and that could very well be caused by poor insulation.
If you notice drafts in certain areas of the house, this could also very well be a problem with attic insulation. By investing in new insulation for your attic, you stand to save a significant amount of money on your energy bill.
These savings will be especially large during the coldest parts of the winter and the hottest parts of the summer, when you are more likely to be frequently running your furnace or air conditioner.
These are just a few signs that it’s time to replace your attic insulation in Petaluma, CA. For more information about the benefits of upgrading your attic insulation and the signs that it is probably time to make improvements in your home, we encourage you to contact the professional insulation installers at Ace Insulation Inc. today.
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