Writer | September 4, 2020

All of us at Ace Insulation Inc. like to fancy ourselves DIY-ers around our own homes—hanging medicine cabinets, fixing squeaky doors and even installing ceiling fans are all within our skillsets. We encourage this can-do spirit among our customers, too, but we also want to make it clear that there are some jobs that you just shouldn’t tackle on your own. Doing DIY home insulation in Northern California is at the top of that list for a number of reasons.

While you might be imagining that it’s just a matter of rolling out those nice pink batts and considering it a job well done, nothing could be further from the truth. Our trade requires experience and skill to do the job right, and leaving it to the professionals is the responsible call. Read on to find out why.

Insulation is a blind spot for many

Insulation installation is one of those home improvement jobs that’s largely absent from social media. There aren’t many clever hashtags about boosting your home’s R-value, so it’s mostly just off many people’s radars. People who post before and after pictures of their DIY bathroom renovations don’t do the same when they redo their attic’s insulation, and that’s partly because they just don’t trust themselves to do that job.

You likely don’t really think about your home’s insulation until it needs attention, so that means you probably don’t know much about home insulation installation in Northern California. This is not intended as a slight—it’s just not a glamorous thing, and most people know better than to try it themselves anyway because it can be such an intimidating proposition.

You don’t have the skills (or the tools)

DIY home insulation in Northern California probably sounds simple enough—buy some big pink rolls off the rack at your local home improvement store, spread them out in the attic and you’re done. However, there are many things wrong with this picture.

For starters, you likely don’t have the proper tools to do the job right. Insulation requires many specialized pieces of equipment that even the most well-stocked DIY-ers likely don’t have in their workshop. Additionally, the insulation you can buy off the rack is not always the same stuff the pros have access to. Our team can help talk you through different options that you might not even have been aware of, including the newest technology like spray foam insulation.

You’re not a home inspector

The prep work for insulation installation can be as rigorous as the work itself. Your home needs to be checked for things like bugs, mildew and mold before insulation can be laid out, because once insulation is laid over these things, they will be out of sight, out of mind, leading to huge problems down the road.

DIY home insulation in Northern California might seem like a quick way to save some money, but the reality is that there’s no substitute for working with professionals who know exactly what they’re doing. Ace Insulation Inc. has the type of expertise that only comes with almost a decade in the business, and we’d love to put that knowledge to work for you. You’ll be happy you went with the pros when your energy costs go down and you don’t feel those pesky drafts anymore!

Writer | August 21, 2020

There are many ways to keep your house in top shape—regular maintenance of appliances and a commitment to landscaping are just a few. One thing that can really help your home’s energy efficiency and resale value, though, is staying on top of its insulation needs. Insulation is one of the easiest ways to ensure your home’s HVAC system is working as it should and that your loved ones are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Their comfort is paramount, and your insulation choice is a big part of that. With this in mind, there are a few things you’ll want to understand about foam and fiberglass insulation in Northern California.

What is fiberglass insulation?

Those traditional pink rolls are probably what many people picture when they think of fiberglass insulation, but it also comes as blown-in loose fill (which is less common). Those large pink rolls of fiberglass insulation in Northern California are called “batts,” and they can cover a lot of space very easily.

However, you’ll want to work with a professional company like Ace Insulation Inc., because these need to be precision-cut to get around obstacles in your home (picture the ductwork in your attic, for example). If these are cut too short, you’ll have gaps that air can easily pass through, while if you cut them too long, the insulation piles and has irregular compression all around—also bad news for your heating and cooling bills!

What is spray foam insulation?

The other popular product that we tend to install the most is spray foam insulation in Northern California. It comes out of spray cans as a liquid, but quickly expands to cover any cracks or openings. It can be “open cell,” which is softer and more pliable because the “cells” of air made by the expanding foam are not fully enclosed, or “closed cell,” which is more rigid because it doesn’t allow any air into its cells at all. As one might guess, closed cell is generally the better insulator.

Spray foam insulation is a great choice for many business owners and homeowners, but it’s a relatively new product that is costly to manufacture and still has a heavier price tag than some people are willing to pay.

The verdict

Spray foam insulation is going to give you an efficiency that really can’t be matched by fiberglass insulation in Northern California, but you’re likely going to pay for that level of quality. On the other hand, fiberglass insulation can last for an extremely long time—it’s not uncommon for this traditional type to last for a century in many homes we work in. Additionally, foam insulation has the drawback of sometimes shrinking over time, meaning it could require occasional touch-up jobs to make sure its coverage is maxed out.

In general, either insulation product has its strengths and weaknesses. At Ace Insulation Inc., we install both in many homes and businesses each year, and a lot of it comes down to what a property owner is looking for and what they’re comfortable spending. Call us today and let’s make a plan together!

Writer | August 4, 2020

When you take the plunge and purchase your own home, you will quickly discover that, as rewarding as homeownership is, there are numerous threats that will do their best to undermine your investment. Pests try to crawl in through the attic. Appliances break down. Plumbing malfunctions. One issue that you may not be aware of, however, is the threat that moisture can pose to your home. While you’re worrying about other problems, moisture invades your home and causes a massive number of issues.

Fortunately, there is a solution: moisture barriers. The practical benefits and uses for moisture barriers in Northern California are innumerable.

Be a friend to the environment

At its most basic level, a moisture barrier is a form of insulation. That means besides its primary function, it can also be relied on to regulate the flow of heat through your home. When your moisture barrier is in place, you will ensure that hot and cool air stay where they’re supposed to—that means you’ll end up using less power from the grid to keep cool.

Stay comfortable

When moisture creeps into your home, it can wreak havoc with the overall temperature. You may be spending hundreds of extra dollars a year keeping your home cool when a moisture barrier could have prevented any issues to begin with.

Save your pipes

One of the most commonly overlooked uses for vapor barriers in Northern California is their benefit to your pipes. Moisture that seeps into the ground or crawlspace underneath your home will inevitably pool around utility pipes. Over time, this can lead to erosion and the breakdown of the pipes. That can quickly turn into an expensive and messy proposition.

Keep things rosy

Long-term moisture buildup in your home will cause all kinds of structural problems. Of course, the first thing you’ll notice is also one of the most inconvenient: the smell. When moisture gets into your home, it can cause the growth of mold and mildew, which, in addition to exacerbating allergies and spreading disease, will also smell extremely unpleasant.

Pest control

All kinds of pests throughout California love nothing more than finding a quiet, moist spot to eat food and make babies. When you take the time to install a moisture barrier in your home, you can make sure you’re not tempting pests to make your home their own.

Insulation you can count on

Are you intrigued by the uses of moisture barriers in Northern California? Then come to Ace Insulation Inc. Our highly-skilled team will come to your home or office, identify your needs and then craft a custom insulation solution to meet them.

Since we opened our doors in 2011, Ace Insulation Inc. has developed a long-lasting relationship with our customers based on mutual respect and professionalism. When you enlist our help, you can be confident that you are getting expert service from a team that is devoted to your satisfaction. That’s our promise to you. Visit us online or give us a call today to learn more!

Writer | July 21, 2020

You don’t have to be a master builder to understand the enormous benefits of high-functioning insulation for warm weather in Northern California. When your home’s insulation is lacking, you’ll see several drawbacks. First, your comfort suffers because your home is incapable of regulating the temperature. Second, your bank account gets hit because you find yourself spending more money each month to keep yourself and your family comfortable.

Of course, to get the most of your insulation, you have to install the right kind of material. Read on to find out what type of insulation suits your needs!

Loose-fill insulation

Depending on the size of your home, regulating the temperature could prove challenging. For example, if you have attic space that you don’t use, you might be losing an enormous amount of heat through your roof. Fortunately, there’s loose-fill insulation. This low-cost way to insulate your unused space could save you tons of cash over the course of the year.

Spray foam

Spray foam is one of the most reliable options when you’re searching for climate control insulation in Northern California. This popular material is excellent for both temperature regulation and noise reduction. One of the most appealing reasons to pick spray foam insulation is its cost effectiveness. Not only is spray foam insulation affordable to install, but it will also save you money on your energy bills for years to come.

Radiant barrier insulation

Another alternative for attic insulation is radiant barrier insulation. Radiant barrier insulation is an inexpensive option that redirects the heat that might otherwise escape your home through the roof. In addition to being affordable, radiant barrier insulation is also highly customizable.

K13 insulation

When you require a highly customizable form of insulation, you need revolutionary K13 insulation. A talented contractor can tailor K13 to meet nearly any insulation requirements, whether those needs are durability, texture or even visual aesthetic. K13 is especially helpful for commercial and industrial environments that may have specific requirements for noise reduction and condensation control.

Fiberglass batt insulation

Every year it seems that the wilds of Northern California become a hot spot for fire hazards. That’s when homeowners and business owners will be thankful for fiberglass batt insulation. This material has the ability to rebuff an advancing fire. It doesn’t melt or produce smoke, and therefore is ideal for a wide variety of applications.

Trust in a professional team

As you can see, there is an almost overwhelming number of strategies and options for handling insulation for warm weather in Northern California. That’s why it’s critical to make sure you’re working with a team you can count on. In our corner of California and Northwestern Nevada, that means calling Ace Insulation Inc.

We have years of combined experience installing insulation for residential and commercial customers alike. One call to our team and we’ll rush to your side, pinpoint your needs and then work alongside you to install the perfect insulation. Visit us online or give us a call today. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Writer | July 1, 2020

If you’re preparing to renovate your home, you should give some consideration to the kind of insulation you currently have and whether you might benefit from upgrading it. Firestopping insulation is one kind of insulation that can be a good investment, especially for certain kinds of properties (primarily commercial and industrial).

Firestopping insulation in Northern California is specifically designed to prevent the spread of fires. Even in extreme heat, the material is capable of resisting that heat and will not melt. It also doesn’t produce smoke, which is extremely helpful if a fire begins. The lack of toxic smoke makes for improved fire safety.

Many commercial and industrial buildings, especially those with kitchens or manufacturing operations or other high-heat applications, use this kind of insulation as a sort of insurance policy to protect their property while also benefiting from its outstanding R-value and lowering their heating and cooling bills.

Additional major benefits of this kind of insulation include its light weight and semi-rigidity. It is made out of a stone wool, and is designed to offer benefits beyond just firestopping—it also has major acoustical benefits, reducing the amount of noise you can hear from outdoors or other rooms. It easily fits perimeter gaps between flooring, floor and ceiling concrete slabs, exterior walls and firewalls, and you’re also able to install it around duct opens or conduit pipes that run through walls and floors.

Clearing up common firestopping insulation myths

Because this kind of insulation isn’t as common as some of the types of home insulation used in residential settings in Northern California, there are understandably some prevalent misconceptions surrounding it. Let’s clear up just a few examples of some of these misconceptions that you may have heard while investigating your potential insulation options for your building:

MYTH—Polyurethane foam will stop fires: Not all insulation materials are designed to be firestopping—the firestopping property can only be verified with testing from an independent third-party agency, so you must look for the proper certifications when purchasing your insulation. Polyurethane foam is one example of an insulation material that is absolutely not firestopping—in fact, it will perform horribly as a barrier against fire. That doesn’t mean there are no benefits to polyurethane foam—all it means is you should know it will not add any fire protection if you do decide to use it.
MYTH—Pipe insulation firestopping properties are always the same: There are various kinds of pipe insulation materials, so you cannot expect them all to perform in exactly the same way. There are some non-combustible pipe insulation materials like mineral wool that are good for fire resistance, but other types of materials can provide little resistance to fire.
MYTH—All caulks and sealants must be red: There is a common misconception that firestopping caulks and sealants are required to have a red color so they can be easily identified, but there are actually no code requirements that state this. You’ll find firestopping caulks and sealants in many different colors.

For more information about firestopping insulation and home insulation in Northern California, contact Ace Insulation Inc. today.

Author: Writer