Insulation is an important feature in all Northern California homes. Whether you’re building a new house or considering replacing your current insulation, you have a choice when it comes to the material you use. While fiberglass insulation, in either batt or loose fill options, is a popular choice, it’s not always the best one. Here are the major pros and cons of fiberglass insulation and how you can tell if it’s right for your home.
Thermal protection
When considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation for your Northern California home, one of the major benefits is its thermal protection value. Both fiberglass batt and loose fill insulation can provide up to R-4.3 per inch, but only when the insulation is installed correctly. It takes professional installation, starting with comprehensive air sealing, to ensure that fiberglass insulation maintains its level of thermal protection throughout the years. In some cases, a technician will have to “top up” the insulation to maintain its protective value. When installed correctly, your fiberglass insulation can have a higher R-value than some types of spray foam insulation.
Air seal
One of the cons to choosing fiberglass insulation is that creating an airtight seal is a bit more complicated when compared to spray foam insulation, but it can be done. Spray foam creates both an air barrier and an insulation barrier all at once. It is considerably more expensive than fiberglass materials, though. Again, if you choose to go the more affordable route and select fiberglass as your insulating material, make sure the installation is done by a seasoned professional. The technician will install a separate air barrier to keep your home airtight.
Moisture barrier
Insulation needs to be able to resist moisture, and in areas like an attic cavity, moisture accumulation can be prevalent. In considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation, one of the major drawbacks is that fiberglass batts don’t create a moisture or vapor barrier on their own. If you rely on the services of a professional insulation technician, though, they’ll make sure to install a separate barrier that will keep your attic free from the damaging effects of moisture.
Fire resistance
A key benefit to choosing fiberglass as your insulating material is that it can either be naturally fire resistant or treated with a fire retardant to protect your home in case of fire. Always rely on the expertise of a trained professional for peace of mind that your insulation won’t catch fire. Spray foam, on the other hand, requires a special thermal barrier material placed over the insulation. It’s an extra cost that you don’t have to pay for if you choose a fiberglass option.
Understanding the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation can help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing insulation for your Northern California home. Always rely on the professional expertise that only a trained insulation installation expert can provide. Contact Ace Insulation Inc today to learn more about the best thermal barriers for your home.
Summer is just around the corner, which means daytime temperatures will soon be in the 80s. The best way to keep your house comfortable while reducing your energy bills is to ensure your home is adequately insulated. However, that’s not always an easy task for the average homeowner.
Fortunately, we’re here to help you double-check your insulation and ensure you’re properly covered. Continue reading to learn how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California:
Assess your energy bill: Your monthly cooling bill can be much higher if your home is unprepared for hot summer temperatures. This is because AC units have to work much harder to cool an under-insulated house. Adding high-quality insulation is an easy solution for lowering that bill and keeping your space comfortable.
Perform a DIY energy audit: Purchasing a non-contact IR thermometer is the next step after paying your sky-high energy bill. This tool will tell you the precise temperature in different areas of the home. Point the device at walls, ceilings, doors, windows, vents, floors and anywhere else that’s insulated. If there are any variances in temperature—whether hot or cold—you’ll need to add some insulation.
Hire a pro for an inspection: Our best advice regarding how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California is to hire a professional. An insulation contractor will tell you where you need insulation, how much you need and what kind of insulation will be best for the area.
Where should insulation be added?
Every home is different when it comes to insulation, which is why a professional inspection is required, but these are a few of the key areas that typically need more insulation for the summer months:
Attic: The attic is often the hottest part of a house during the summertime. Even though you don’t spend a ton of time up there, all of that attic heat radiates downwards into your living space. You can reduce heat transfer by adding blown-in insulation or high-efficiency spray foam insulation in the attic.
Crawlspace: Your home could use some extra insulation down below in the crawlspace or basement. Adding waterproof spray foam insulation in these damp and humid areas can reduce the chance of mold growth throughout the year while keeping your home a bit more comfortable in the summer.
Exterior walls: When direct sunlight hits your exterior walls, the sun’s UV rays heat the interior of your home. Adding some more insulation is the best way to block that heat transfer. Blown-in insulation works well for these walls, as it causes minimal disturbance to finished areas.
Hire Ace Insulation Inc. today
Make sure your home is sufficiently insulated by contacting Ace Insulation Inc. right away! From understanding how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California to actually insulating homes, we’re the best in the business. We look forward to working with you soon!
Insulation is pivotal in keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills low all year long. Unfortunately, insulation doesn’t last forever. It becomes less effective as it ages, and can even become a breeding ground for pests. Continue reading to learn a few of the signs that will help you determine if your Northern California home is not well insulated.
Old age
If your home was built before 1970, you can stop reading right now—it’s likely time to re-insulate your home. Insulation technology has come a long way in the past few decades, meaning it’s better at keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. Contact your insulation contractor today to schedule an assessment of your home.
Higher energy bills
Looking at your monthly heating and cooling bills is another easy way to tell if it’s time for insulation. If your energy bills are higher than usual, it means your HVAC system is working overtime to heat or cool your home. Adding insulation is an easy way to address this problem. Your new insulation will pay for itself in no time thanks to your lower energy bills.
Fluctuating room temperatures
If some rooms are colder or warmer than others, your home is likely under-insulated. Instead of simply adding insulation to the rooms that feel drafty or too warm, we recommend going a step further. Bolstering insulation up in the attic and down in the crawlspace is a better way to fix this issue while making your home more energy efficient.
Upper-floor temperature differences
If you have a multi-story home, you may notice a temperature difference on the floor closest to the attic. This is another one of the signs to watch for when determining if your Northern California home is not well insulated. There should be at least six inches of insulation in the attic. Any less than that could make upper floors colder or hotter than the rest of your home.
Cracks near windows or doors
It’s not uncommon for small cracks to appear on your walls, especially near windows or doors. After all, houses shift and settle through the years. While it’s not a bad idea to have these cracks inspected by a professional, they could indicate that your walls are under-insulated. Seal those cracks for the time being with caulk, then call an insulation contractor to bolster your insulation.
Evidence of pests
Rodents, insects and other creepy-crawly critters are known to make nests in blown-in insulation. After all, it’s nice and warm and away from predators. Any evidence of their presence—like droppings or urine stains—means your insulation is damaged and needs to be replaced. Upgrade to spray foam insulation to ensure this never happens again.
Contact our team today
Remember, insulation isn’t just something to worry about in the colder months—it protects your home all year long. So, if you’re concerned that your house might need new insulation, call Ace Insulation Inc. We know all the signs that determine whether your Northern California home is not well insulated, and we have all of the best insulation products to fix the problem.
Vapor barriers are a type of plastic film designed to be impermeable so as to prevent moisture from seeping through. They’re frequently used as part of a building envelope in walls and ceilings, and can also be used underneath certain flooring installations.
One of the most common questions Northern California residents have when remodeling a room or finishing off a basement concerns in which situations vapor barriers are needed after putting in the insulation. Not every wall requires a vapor barrier—keep in mind that it’s used to prevent water vapor from getting in through the protected surface. To determine whether you will need a vapor barrier, you must consider:
Your climate: Certain climate zones are more likely to need a vapor barrier. Areas that see a wider range of temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year are more likely to need a vapor barrier than areas that see pretty consistent climates. Zones 4C, 5, 6, 7 and 8 should all have vapor barriers installed.
Cladding type: Many homes are clad with brick, stone, stucco, fiber cement or wood, which can retain moisture and create moisture challenges. Therefore, homes with these types of materials are more likely to need vapor barriers.
Wall location: If it’s an exterior wall and either of the above characteristics indicate that you need a vapor barrier, then it’s a good idea to place the barrier in that exterior wall.
Using the vapor barrier
Vapor barriers are often an automatic part of any wall construction in certain climates. However, if installed incorrectly, the vapor barrier could actually create extra moisture problems than what you would otherwise have encountered, which is why it’s a good idea to leave the installation up to the professionals if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
There are a variety of available options with vapor barriers. Smart vapor barriers feature material that is able to react to changes in surrounding humidity by creating corresponding changes to its physical structure. This results in letting moisture out of the wall, whether the humidity levels are higher outside of the wall or inside of the wall. This makes it an ideal solution for areas that see a mixed climate and varying humidity levels throughout the year as the seasons turn.
Vapor barriers should be installed after the insulation, but before the finished part of the wall (such as drywall). The material will likely only be a couple millimeters thick, but that is more than enough to prevent moisture from getting through and into some of the materials of your home, where it could potentially cause buildups of moisture resulting in mold or mildew and weakened structural integrity of the walls.
Are you interested in learning more about the various types of vapor barriers available and how to use them? Ace Insulation Inc. encourages you to contact our insulation contractors in Northern California for more information about in what situations vapor barriers are likely to be needed. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Proper insulation is one of the most important investments you can make in your home to conserve energy and keep the interior of your home comfortable all year long. When installing new insulation in Northern California, you’ll have a wide range of options available, including rigid board insulation.
The most popular types of insulation across the country are generally batts or mats of soft insulation, but there are also fiberglass, cellulose and natural wool insulation materials that are popular alternatives. With rigid board insulation, you get hard, dense sheets of foam, typically polystyrene or polyurethane. The chemical structure of these substances is “closed cell,” which differs from many other insulation products that tend to be open cell.
The benefit of closed-cell insulation like rigid board is that it’s more durable and resistant to the elements. It also provides a greater R-value than open-cell insulation, meaning the insulation capacity is better for those types of products.
Expect most rigid foam products to come in 4’x 8’ sheets, with thicknesses ranging from 1/2” to 2”.
Situations in which rigid insulation is most beneficial
Wondering how rigid insulation is used in Northern California? Rigid board insulation can come in handy if you’re finishing a new section of a home, or doing a full remodel down to the studs. Rigid foam board is easily installed in between exposed studs, or along concrete walls in your basement. You can then install furring strips over the board to provide a secure base to finish the wall with drywall or other wall materials.
Rigid foam board is generally recommended for use against concrete walls, and is generally a better option than loose cellulose or fiberglass. Because concrete can seep moisture, open-cell insulation products like fiberglass could absorb that moisture through the concrete, resulting in a buildup of mold or mildew. You don’t have to worry about moisture affecting rigid boards, and thus won’t have to worry about potential mold or mildew problems forming behind your walls. Technically the foam is water resistant, not waterproof, so you don’t want it to be exposed to anything beyond normal basement and foundation moisture levels, but it should still offer more than enough protection for most people’s needs.
Of course, rigid foam board can be used in any other area of your home as well, though it’s generally recommended for external use or below-grade applications because of its natural moisture resistance. You can expect rigid foam insulation to last at least a century, meaning once it’s installed, you’ll never have to replace it.
The downside of rigid foam board is that it’s not particularly fire resistant in comparison to other insulation options, like mineral wool. But for the most part, you’ll find it to be an effective, reliable insulation option for most installation setups.
For more information about rigid insulation and the various other types of insulation available on the market in Northern California, we encourage you to contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. with any questions. We’d be glad to tell you more about our products and services.
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