Fire safety is one of the most important things for homeowners in Northern California to keep in mind, especially considering the severity of fire seasons in recent years. However, many homeowners aren’t sure what they can do to improve fire safety on their property. Thankfully, there are some simple steps for homeowners to take that can dramatically boost their fire safety over time. Keep reading to learn about keeping homes safer with insulation in Northern California.
What does insulation have to do with fire?
A lot of people don’t see the connection between insulation and fireproofing, but the reality is that insulation can make a huge difference when it comes to fire safety. Insulation that isn’t designed to be fire resistant can accelerate the progression of a fire and put your home at a much higher risk of damage in the event of a nearby blaze.
The good news is that there are lots of insulation materials that are designed with fire protection in mind. Investing in fire-resistant insulation is one of the best ways to protect homes from fire in Northern California. Here are a few of the best insulation options for firestopping:
Cellulose insulation: Cellulose insulation is a loose-fill material that’s made of recycled paper products. Even though cellulose is made of paper materials, which tend to be very flammable, it is treated with fire-resistant chemicals that make it much less susceptible to combustion.
Fiberglass insulation: Fiberglass insulation is one of the best options when it comes to fire resistance. When installed properly, fiberglass insulation acts as an effective fire block. However, it often has foil or paper facings that can be combustible, so it’s very important to install the appropriate fireproof barrier along with your fiberglass insulation.
Mineral wool insulation: Like cellulose insulation, mineral wool insulation is primarily made of recycled materials, making it a very eco-friendly option. It’s very resistant to fire, since it’s made entirely of non-combustible fibers. It doesn’t melt in high heat, and it doesn’t require any additional chemical treatment to prevent combustion.
Firestop insulation: Firestop insulation is the best choice when it comes to keeping homes safer with insulation in Northern California. Firestop insulation is designed specifically to prevent the spread of fire and act as an effective fire block. Firestop insulation is commonly used in commercial and industrial settings because of its superior fire resistance. This is a great choice for people who live in an area where there is a high fire risk.
Schedule professional insulation installation
At Ace Insulation Inc., we’re committed to keeping homes safer with the right insulation in Northern California. We’ve specialized in comprehensive insulation services for many years, and we’re happy to assist our customers with insulation projects of all scopes and scales. We are proud to be a locally owned and operated company with a reputation for the quality of our services and the positive experiences of our customers. Get started with more information about our services and schedule an appointment by giving us a call today.
The average person doesn’t spend a ton of time up in their attic, so it’s easy to forget everything that’s up there. However, the attic holds some of the most important insulation for your home. Attic insulation is crucial for both keeping your home comfortable throughout the year and ensuring that it’s energy efficient.
Unfortunately, attic insulation doesn’t last forever. After about 15 years, homeowners should consider replacing attic insulation in Northern California. Some folks may need to replace their insulation sooner than that, though.
Here are few signs that it’s time to replace your attic insulation:
Higher energy bills: If your heating and cooling costs seem to be rising each month, it might be due to failing insulation up in the attic. As insulation ages, it becomes less effective at retaining interior heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Talk to a professional about upgrading your insulation to help save some money on your bills.
Uncomfortable drafts: Feeling a draft in the house when the windows are closed is a sign that something’s amiss. The draft could be a sign that your attic insulation isn’t blocking outdoor air from entering your home. It could also mean that the wall insulation isn’t doing its job. Either way, you should consult a pro about your insulation situation.
Moldy insulation: Take a moment to inspect the insulation in your attic. If there’s any mold or mildew growth, you’ll need to remove it and talk to a professional about updating insulation in the attic. Not only is moldy insulation ineffective, but it’s also a health concern.
The best types of insulation
All attic insulation isn’t created equal. Here are a few of the best types to choose the next time you’re updating insulation in your attic in Northern California:
Blown-in insulation: Blown-in insulation is often made of fiberglass and is used to fill the nooks and crannies in attics. Installing it can be a DIY job, but we always recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
Fiberglass batts: While blown-in insulation is great for the flooring, fiberglass batts are commonly used for the walls. Batts are easy to install yourself and relatively inexpensive to purchase. You may want to talk to a pro to ensure you’re placing the batts in the right locations.
Spray foam: By far, the best insulation for attics is spray foam. Once it’s sprayed, the foam expands to fill every gap in the wall. Since it covers every inch, it can be up to three times more effective than traditional blown-in fiberglass or fiberglass batts. Although it costs more, homeowners might see up to a 40-percent reduction in their energy costs by switching to spray foam.
We’re your go-to team for attic insulation
Whether you’re a new homeowner adding insulation for the first time or you’re interested in replacing attic insulation in Northern California, talk to the professionals at Ace Insulation, Inc. From blown-in insulation to spray foam, we have just the products you need to keep your attic well-insulated through the summer and winter months.
Experienced home builders know the importance of installing quality insulation throughout a newly-built house. Properly installed insulation can reduce energy costs for the homeowner and ensure comfort throughout the year. There are a ton of different insulation options for homes in Northern California, some of which are better than others.
If you’re choosing which insulation is right for a new home, here are a few important things you should consider before buying.
Maximize budget: In the insulation industry, the R-value is how a manufacturer measures how well a type of insulation reduces heat flow. The higher an insulation’s R-value, the better. However, products with a higher R-value tend to be more expensive. Talk to your client about their budget for insulation and find a product that can maximize their budget while still ensuring their home is comfortable and energy efficient.
Minimize air leaks: Choosing insulation for home builders in Northern California is just the start of ensuring a home is adequately insulated. You also have to make sure it’s installed correctly! Unless you’re using spray foam insulation—which expands to fill every gap—you’ll want to seal all the insulation in walls and floors with caulk or house wrap. This practice will help ensure that air doesn’t slip through the cracks, making the home uncomfortable.
Consider product settling: Loose-fill fiberglass and mineral wool insulation will both settle once they’re installed. Over time, this could mean they’re less-effective insulators than batts or spray foam insulation, neither of which settles. Talk to an insulation contractor about properly installing insulation to minimize any movement after the insulation is installed.
Research UV stability: The sun’s ultraviolet rays don’t just give us sunburns when we’re outside—they can also affect a home’s insulation. Spray foam insulation could shrink due to UV rays and extreme summer temperatures. As you can imagine, any insulation shrinkage lowers its effectiveness. Although you should keep this in mind while choosing insulation for home builders in Northern California, don’t let the possibility of shrinkage alone deter you from picking spray foam insulation.
Acoustic control: Insulation can also play a big factor in blocking external noises from disturbing residents in their own homes. If the property is near a busy street or located in an area that might be loud, consider spray foam insulation. Spray foam is a highly effective sound barrier and can block out even the loudest noises. Just make sure it’s installed properly for the best results.
Moisture and mold: Mold and mildew growing and feeding on insulation is a big concern for a lot of homeowners. Spray foam insulation can help prevent against this. Since spray foam is made of an inert polymer, it can deter mold and mildew, even if it gets wet.
Don’t purchase your insulation from anyone but Ace Insulation, Inc. No other company in the area has a larger selection of insulation options for homes in Northern California than we do! Whether you’re a home builder constructing a new subdivision or a homeowner adding some extra insulation to your attic, we have just the product you need.
If it seems like your energy bills have been creeping up month by month, it might be time to insulate your garage door. Depending on the type of home and garage door you have, you could be leaking energy (in the form of cooled or heated air) straight out into the outdoors.
As Californians, we are all familiar with the push to install more efficient appliances, doors and windows—and you can even get garage door with added insulation in Northern California. When you think about it, it makes sense: the more you’re able to control the indoor temperature throughout your home, the better. Insulation is the key to preventing heat transfer from indoors to outdoors, making you cool and comfortable during the summer and warm and cozy in the winter.
Here’s a closer look at why you should consider an insulated garage door:
They are more energy efficient: Naturally, we all know it’s important to not only save the planet, but also to save money on our energy bills. If you’ve found that the increasingly hot summers and colder winters are taking their toll on your wallet, the key just might be getting an insulated garage door. Garages are notorious for leaking warm or cool air to the outdoors, so it’s a smart, fast and easy way to double up on insulation and make sure you have pockets of warm air to protect your home. The same principle applies in the summer—don’t let the punishing sun drive your AC bill up if you can avoid it.
They are more durable: When you choose an insulated garage door, you’re also getting one that lasts a lot longer than your average door. Rather than single-layer doors, you’re getting something with a double or triple layer. That results in a much longer lifespan.
They’ll protect your storage: Most people store their unused, but precious, items in their garage. Are you really going to stuff Grandma’s photos from the 1930s in a poorly-insulated garage? (You shouldn’t if you want to keep them safe.) Moisture and temperature changes damage objects, especially things like paper and photos. Having effective garage insulation in Northern California wards off a lot of that moisture damage so you can rest assured your family’s legacy is happily preserved.
They’re quieter: Finally, who doesn’t love the sound of silence—at least once in a while? Noise can penetrate our homes, but it’s usually through thin windows and doors. If you have an insulated garage door, your entire home will be quieter, more peaceful and free of the neighborhood’s opinion on the latest sports team’s score—unless you’re one of those people yelling at the TV, too.
Are you interested in insulating your home’s garage door? Ace Insulation Inc. has been insulating Northern California homes since 2011. Call us today to learn more about our services, or find out more about what it could take to insulate your garage doors. We look forward to helping you save on your energy bills.
Have your energy bills gone dramatically up as the weather gets hotter—or colder? That’s a big sign that your home isn’t insulated properly, which forces your HVAC system to work overtime. If your parents ever told you to close the fridge because they weren’t planning on air conditioning the entire neighborhood, you know the general idea.
Insulation is the best way to prevent heat transfer—the scientific phenomenon where hot air and cold air will meet and eventually even out. Don’t let heat transfer keep you from staying cool in the long, hot Northern California summers or the chilly winters.
Keeping your insulation up to date is the best way to save on your energy bills. Here’s how to tell if your home needs an upgrade and how to fix poor housing insulation in Northern California:
Touch your walls: When the weather starts dipping into the lower temperatures, go around your home and touch the walls. If they are much colder than the room temperature, or if they feel moist, you might have a problem. As the warm air in your home makes contact with the cold wall, the air will get cooler. This makes your heater work overtime. The best way to handle this is to have good insulation.
Look for holes: Is air leaking out of holes in your exterior wall? We all know it’s frustrating when one of the kids bashes a hole in the siding with their bike, but it also hurts your energy bills. Cold or warm air is leaking out into the outdoors—so you really are air conditioning the entire neighborhood.
Check for signs of bugs or mice: Pests can be a real problem, so if you’ve had a bug or rodent problem in the last few years, it’s worth getting your insulation checked out. They can eat or chew through all of your carefully-placed insulation.
Look for moisture: If you notice moisture and condensation around your pipes, chances are, they need to be insulated. Talk to an insulation contractor about your concerns.
Feel the drafts: When you walk around your home, take note if you feel any drafts coming from a certain area. It might be that the warm air is escaping and the cold air is coming in to help fill that gap—either way, it means an insulation problem.
Check for mold: If you’ve got mold, there’s a big likelihood it’s due to an insulation problem. If certain types of insulation are exposed to moisture, they are likely to develop mold.
Think about your insulation’s age: Finally, if your insulation was last updated sometime before you moved in 15 years ago, it’s time to give it an upgrade. This is a job for insulation professionals, rather than a DIY project, but you’ll be amazed at the difference once it’s installed.
If you’re seeing any of the signs of poor insulation in Northern California, make sure to call Ace Insulation Inc. We install a range of insulation types, including spray foam insulation. We’ll work with you to identify where your home is leaking energy and what can be done to help. Call today to get started.
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