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.
As you prepare to purchase new insulation for your home, you might be surprised at how many options you’ll have available to you. So how do you determine which choice is right? There are a variety of factors you’ll need to take into account.
Here are just a few things to consider when purchasing insulation in Petaluma, CA.
Are you building a new home or renovating an existing one?
If you’re starting from scratch with your insulation, then you don’t really have any limitations for your insulation type, as long as you meet the requirements of the National Construction Code.
However, if you’re adding insulation to a home that’s already been built, the job could be a little trickier. Most of the areas in your home that would house your insulation have likely been sealed off already. You might need to put holes into the walls and use blown-in insulation.
What materials is your home made out of?
The construction materials used in your house will determine your home’s thermal mass, which is an important feature to know for insulation as it indicates how much heat your materials can store.
What R-value are you hoping to achieve with your insulation?
For all new homes, there are minimum requirements for R-value, which is essentially the measurement of your home’s ability to retain heat. The R-value is measured by a wide variety of factors, so you need to have your plans assessed and determine if you need to make any improvements before construction begins. You want to have a high R-value for your home so you can avoid spending too much on your heating and cooling bills.
Improving the R-value of a home is also one of the reasons people most frequently upgrade their existing insulation. In older homes especially, R-value was not nearly as big of a consideration as it is today. Plus, the quality of insulation used in homes has improved significantly over time. While retrofitting a home with new and better insulation can be an expensive process, it can also be financially worthwhile in the long run when you factor in your energy savings.
Are you aiming to soundproof your home?
For people who live near a major highway, railroad or any other area that has a lot of background noise, the soundproofing capabilities of a particular type of insulation can be an important factor. You might also wish to soundproof specific rooms, such as home theaters or recording studios. How much soundproofing material and the type of insulation you’ll need will depend on how loud the noise is that you’re trying to isolate and how frequently you experience it. There are many types of commonly used insulation that have a certain level of soundproofing, but when you are aiming to block out as much noise as possible, it can take a little extra planning to make sure you meet your needs.
For more tips about purchasing new insulation in Petaluma, CA, contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. today.
Insulation is insulation, right? Wrong! There are tons of different types and brands out there. Some types of insulation are better than others, and are better for different areas in your home. If you’re building a house or if you’re thinking about adding more insulation to your current home, the following information will help you figure out which type of insulation is best for you and your home.
What types of insulation are there?
Before we dive into which insulation you should install, it’d be helpful to learn a little bit about some of the most common types of insulation:
Spray foam: By and large, spray insulation in Petaluma, CA is some of the best insulation on the market. It expands to fill even the smallest cracks, so you can rest easy knowing that you shouldn’t have to deal with any outside air creeping in.
Batts: Insulation batts are precut sections of fiberglass or rock wool insulation. Even the most inexperienced folks can install these batts, so they’re great for homeowners who have a DIY itch.
Rolls: Insulation rolls are another option. Similar to batts, they’re easy to install for anyone with a can-do work ethic and a bit of extra time on their hands.
Blown-in insulation: Made of fiberglass or rock wool, blown-in insulation is a solid choice if you’re insulating hard to reach places. We’re experts at installing blown-in insulation—get in touch with us today if you think this might be the best option for you.
Budget
Obviously, your budget is something you’ve got to keep in mind for any home improvement project. If you just want to add insulation on the cheap, spray foam isn’t your best bet. Spray foam is fairly expensive, and typically requires professional installation. On the other hand, it’s also the most effective insulation, so it’s one of those “you get what you pay for” situations. If you’re just looking to add some insulation without breaking the bank, consider batts or insulation rolls; they’re not too expensive, and you can install them yourself. Give us a call today to get a quote for spray foam or blown-in installation!
Location
Where your insulation is going is just as important as your budget. Different types of insulation are more effective in different locations around the house:
Small cracks: Spray foam is your go-to insulation for filling any small cracks. As mentioned above, it expands upon installation and blocks any air from coming in or going out. Though it’s great for small cracks, people across the country are starting to use it for all of their insulation needs. Its high R-value along with its fireproof and waterproof qualities make it a fantastic choice.
Attics: Insulating your attic is a must. Unfortunately, it can be difficult in those hard to reach areas. That’s where blown-in insulation can come in to play! Blown-in insulation quickly fills in all of those nooks and crannies in the back of your attic, where other types of insulation can’t reach.
Walls: Though spray foam is getting more and more popular, batts of insulation are still the number one choice for walls. As long as they’re cut properly, they fit like a glove in between the studs of your walls.
Whether you’re looking to install blown-in insulation or spray insulation in Petaluma, CA, let Ace Insulation Inc. install it for you! We have years of experience in the business, so you can trust that the job will be done right the first time.
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