Whether you’re in the insulation business or a building owner getting ready for renovations, you may have heard of firestopping insulation. But what is it, and what do you need to know about it? Read on for some details regarding the use of firestopping insulation. When you’re ready to invest in insulation installation in Northern California, this may prove to be a good option!
What is firestopping insulation?
Firestopping insulation is designed to stop fire from spreading. Even in the most extreme temperatures, this material can resist heat and melting. A unique characteristic of this particular firestopping insulation is that it doesn’t produce smoke, which makes it a great option for commercial and industrial applications. It upgrades your building to a stronger R-value insulation while also fulfilling fire safety requirements.
Firestopping insulation is lightweight and semi-rigid, made from stone wool and created to provide firestopping and acoustical properties for a variety of buildings. It fills perimeter gaps between concrete flooring, floor and ceiling slabs, exterior walls and firewalls, and can be installed around conduit pipes and duct openings running through floors and walls. Not only it is fire resistant and non-combustible, it also won’t create toxic smoke or allow flames to spread. Other benefits include its ability to increase a building’s energy efficiency, improve thermal stability and control noise coming into and leaving the building.
Three common misconceptions
Although firestopping insulation is highly praised in the industry, not everything you may have heard about it is true. Let’s break down the three most common myths surrounding firestopping insulation to set the record straight:
Caulks and sealant have to be red: One of the top misunderstandings about firestopping caulks and sealants is that they must be red in color. This is not true, as there are no code requirements that enforce it. The truth is that firestopping sealants and caulks come in many different colors in order to differentiate the types of products and how they are to be used.
Polyurethane foam is a firestopping material: Not all insulation materials are firestopping products—they must bear the correct markings from a third-party testing agency. This is important to know, since low-density polymer foams can ignite easily and be taken over by fire. That said, polyurethane foam, unless specifically formulated and tested for firestopping use, is a terrible choice as a fire barrier insulation material.
All pipe insulation is similarly firestopped: This statement is simply not true. Keep in mind that the fire protection performance of pipe insulation materials can vary dramatically. For instance, some non-combustible insulation materials like mineral wool can resist fire and actually help during the firestopping process. But since low-density polymer foam insulation can be challenging generally to firestop, the firestopping material used on pipe insulation also needs careful consideration.
If you’re a homeowner or building owner who wants more information about firestopping insulation installation in Northern California, feel free to contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Reach out to us for all of your insulation needs!
During the summer, rising temperatures can contribute to discomfort in homes without sufficient insulation or cooling features. To keep yourself and your family members as comfortable as possible when temperatures start to spike this summer, it’s important to invest in home improvements that will reduce thermal heat transfer and contribute to the effective operation of your cooling system. Understanding the importance of attic insulation in Northern California during the summer months can help you ensure that your home stays as comfortable as possible.
How attic insulation affects home temperature
Hot air from outside your home primarily comes in through your attic. Wood and drywall absorb heat, which creates a superheating effect that can cause temperatures in your attic to skyrocket and exceed outdoor temperatures. When your attic is heated like this, it naturally transfers to other parts of your home and counteracts your cooling system. This contributes to elevated temperatures throughout your home, even when your AC system is operating the way that it’s supposed to.
To prevent thermal heat transfer from occurring and increasing the temperature in your home, it’s important to insulate your attic effectively. Investing in insulation can improve the energy efficiency of your home, save you money on cooling and boost the value of your home in the long run.
Choosing the right insulation
When you’re considering investing in attic insulation in Northern California, you should carefully assess all of your different options. Traditional fiberglass batt insulation is a popular choice among homeowners, but you should consider some of the other options that are out there as well. Blown-in insulation is a good choice if your attic has a lot of nooks and crannies between panels and beams that are difficult to fill with fiberglass batts that have to be individually cut and shaped. You should also consider spray foam insulation if you want to create an airtight barrier between your attic and the outside of your home.
The best way to determine which type of insulation is right for you is to work with a professional insulation contractor who can provide you with product recommendations. They will be able to walk you through all of your different options and help you find the insulation material that suits your particular needs. You can request a consultation in your home and allow a contractor to inspect your attic so that they can offer an informed suggestion based on their knowledge and expertise.
Learn more about attic insulation in Northern California
Get the insulation recommendations you need to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer by reaching out to the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Since 2011, our experts have been developing a reputation for the quality of our services and the satisfaction of our customers. As a locally owned and operated company, we are committed to providing the best service possible to our customers and maintaining a positive reputation in the community. Learn more and get started with a consultation and quote by giving us a call today!
Insulation is essential to keep homes comfortable in spite of fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions outside. While a lot of homeowners think that insulation is more important in the winter months to keep heat inside and reduce drafts, the reality is that insulation is just as important, if not more so, during the summer months. Read on to find out more about why you should invest in insulation in Northern California this summer.
Heat transfer basics
To understand why insulation in Northern California is so important, you have to know a little bit about thermal heat transfer and how it can impact the temperature of your home. The temperature difference between the outside of your home on hot summer days and the inside of your home when you have your air conditioning system running creates a difference in air pressure. Hot air has less pressure than cold air, so cold air tends to sink while hot air rises. Air of different pressure levels naturally combines to even out pressure differences, which means that the cooler, higher pressure air in your home is likely to leak out through cracks and openings. This process is known as thermal heat transfer.
Additional heating factors
Thermal heat transfer is exacerbated by the fact that attics are typically built with materials that absorb heat. Wood and drywall soak up heat rapidly and create an effect that superheats your attic and, in turn, the rest of your home. The most effective way to combat this superheating effect is to insulate your attic. Adding insulation crates a barrier between the exterior walls and the interior of your home, and that can make a big difference when it comes to limiting airflow in and out of your home through your walls and roof.
The less insulation an attic has, the more likely it is for cool air to seep out of your home. Not only can this decrease the comfort of your home, it can also contribute to reduced energy efficiency and a sharp increase in energy costs. Investing in insulation requires some upfront expense, but it can contribute to long-term energy and cost savings. In addition, improving your insulation in Northern California can boost the value of your home. There are a variety of different insulation options out there depending on the specifics of your home and your needs. To find the insulation in Northern California that’s right for you, reach out to an insulation contractor who can guide you through the different options.
Get new home insulation in Northern California
You can find out more about the importance of attic insulation in Northern California by reaching out to the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Since 2011, we have been dedicated to delivering exceptional insulation services to our customers. Regardless of what your specific needs may be, our team is here to assist you with the highest quality insulation services possible. Learn more about everything that we have to offer by reaching out to our team today!
You probably know you have several building insulation material options to choose from. But which one is best for your home or commercial building? After all, there are many significant benefits to some of the available options, while others can leave you wishing for more. Here’s a look at some of the key differences between spray foam insulation and other forms of traditional insulation installation in Northern California.
The main difference
Spray foam insulation differs from more traditional types, like fiberglass and cellulose, in that it’s an air barrier and thermal barrier all rolled into one. Traditional forms of insulation don’t provide any barriers to the flow of air.
Attic insulation options
Before upgrading your attic insulation, you want to be sure you are choosing the right type of insulation for your needs, energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Below are the three main types of insulation materials:
Spray foam insulation: When it comes to easy-to-install insulation, spray foam takes the cake. This dense foam is applied onto the surfaces in need of insulation and expands to fill the space around it. Unlike rolled fiberglass and blown-in materials, foam seals air leaks and creates a barrier from moisture. Closed-cell foam is generally more rigid and hardens after application, while open-cell is spongy and a bit softer. If you need to access an area coated in the foam, it must be removed by cutting or scraping. Afterward, replacement is as simple as respraying the affected area. The foam will naturally close the gaps as it expands.
Batt insulation (fiberglass): It’s generally pink, looks like cotton candy and is always itchy if you’re unlucky enough to get any on you—this is batt insulation. This is a tried and true solution to the needs of millions of American homes, but it has something to be desired when it comes to longevity, moisture protections and performance in nooks and crannies. It’s fairly easy to install and doesn’t require any curing time or special magic to get it working. If you need to work on an area with this type of insulation, simply roll it up and try not to let it touch your bare skin.
Blown-in insulation: Blown-in insulation is another popular option these days, but it’s way messier than batt or spray foam insulations. Essentially, blown-in insulation is cellulose that is pumped into spaces like attics. Because it is largely made of paper, it isn’t great at sealing out moisture or killing air leaks once and for all. In fact, it does the exact opposite and can soak water up. This can mean wet material sitting around in your attic waiting to grow mold and cause rot. Working on an area with this insulation will require scooping it out by hand before work can proceed.
So, which is better? Talking to Ace Insulation Inc. is a great place to start. Not every house is an ideal candidate for every type of insulation, so be sure to do your homework before making an investment in insulation installation in Northern California. Otherwise, the wrong choice could have you regretting your decision down the line!
Keeping cool in Northern California’s sweltering summer months is more of a science than anything else. We know when to run the AC, when to go for a swim and when to re-evaluate our homes’ insulation. Keeping cool in these parts takes more than a well-maintained air conditioning unit—it also means having the right insulation within the walls of your home to preserve that precious cool air while keeping the heat at bay. With summers seeming to be getting hotter every year, isn’t it time you made sure your insulation is pulling its weight?
If you are wondering how spray foam insulation in Northern California works to keep your home cool during the hot summer months, here’s what you need to know.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam is exactly what it sounds like: it’s an expanding foam that is literally sprayed into the areas in need of insulation. Unlike more traditional insulation, like rollout fiberglass or blown-in insulation, foam works by completely expanding into the space in which it’s applied. For example, if a professional were to use this foam behind drywall, they’d shoot the foam directly into the space, allow it to expand and trim off any excess before placing the drywall.
How spray foam helps strengthen the building envelope
Your home is basically a series of spaces separated from the outside world. Places like your attic and basement may be inside the house, but they don’t necessarily share the same comforts as, say, your living room. Insulation helps to create barriers within the larger space to effectively save money while making your home as comfortable as possible. Any professional insulation expert will tell you that a home can have leaks and gaps, regardless of its age.
Why you should seal off crawlspaces
Speaking of leaks, crawlspaces are one prime example of a commonly overlooked area that could be costing you money every year on heating and cooling. Sealing these areas can have multiple benefits, not the least of which is a cooler home in the summer. Additionally, pests often take up residence in these spaces and will stop at nothing to make themselves at home. Secondly, left unchecked, they can be a haven for moisture and rot. Sealing them up with foam insulation takes care of all of these problems.
The deal with spray foam and ventilation
If you’ve ever had work done on the vents in your attic with blown-in insulation, then you’ve likely had the headache of cleaning up nasty dust long after the work was done. With spray foam, you have none of that mess to worry about. The foam encases the vents and helps to keep cold air cold and hot air hot as it travels through your HVAC system. If repairs are ever needed, the foam is easy to get through and even easier to replace.
Call the team at Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about the benefits of installing spray foam insulation in your Northern California home, or to schedule any other insulation service.
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