Insulating your attic is a big step toward keeping your energy bills low. It also helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But installing insulation yourself isn’t as simple as it seems. It’s messy, dangerous and time-consuming.
The Right Tools & Materials
Insulating your home can be an expensive, time-consuming and dangerous project. It doesn’t have to be that way if you do it right. One of the biggest reasons people don’t DIY attic insulation is they don’t have the right tools for the job. The wrong tools can lead to unnecessary fatigue, mistakes and waste. And depending on the type of insulation you use, you may also need to seal small holes around plumbing pipes and vents. Fill these with caulk or expandable foam spray. This is a good way to keep moist air from leaking into your attic and freezing inside the walls. If the gaps are larger than 3 inches, you can stuff fiberglass insulation into them to increase their R-value. If you’re going to attempt this DIY, you’ll need to make sure you’ve done your research and know how to install the insulation properly. This is because if you do it wrong, your insulation may not be as effective or it could damage the building.
The Experience
Attic insulation is an important part of any home. It can improve energy efficiency by lowering heating and cooling costs while keeping the home comfortable. However, installing attic insulation is a complex task that requires experience and specialized tools. Unless you’re familiar with all the ins and outs of insulation installation, you should leave it to a professional. In addition, removing and replacing your own insulation could put you in violation of building codes. This could negatively impact the sale of your home and cause you to pay fines or fees. Another major problem with DIY attic insulation is the risk of fires. This is because insulation may contain paper or foil that can easily catch fire if it’s not treated with flame retardants.
There’s a good chance your home doesn’t have enough insulation. If you built your house or renovated it, it’s likely that it doesn’t have enough to keep you comfortable and save on energy bills. This is especially true if you live in an area with cold winters. In these cases, poor insulation can lead to ice damming which can cause serious issues on your roof and gutters.
High Energy Bills
High energy bills are one of the biggest signs that your home is under-insulated. A home that is under-insulated forces the HVAC system to work harder to keep the home at even temperatures. If your energy bills are climbing rapidly, it’s time to investigate what might be causing it. A qualified home energy assessor can do a thermal scan of the walls to determine how well your home is insulated.A good insulation solution can be expensive, but it’s an investment worth making if your home is not well insulated.
Uncomfortable Temperatures
If your floors, walls, and ceilings are cold to the touch, you likely need more insulation in your home. Insulation stops heat and air from escaping through gaps. Another sign that your home is under-insulated is that you’re feeling warmer in one room and colder in others. This could mean that your heater isn’t keeping you as warm as it should, or that it’s not delivering enough energy to keep all parts of your house at the same temperature. Frozen pipes can also be a tell-tale sign that your home is under-insulated. If your exterior walls are poorly insulated, it can lead to pipes freezing and then bursting, which can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Cold Drafts
Besides being uncomfortable, cold drafts can also cause your energy bill to skyrocket throughout the winter months. These can come from windows and doors that are not properly sealed. Insulation is a thick material that protects your home from the cold air outside. Usually, the amount of insulation required by code is enough to keep your home comfortable and save you money on energy bills, but if it isn’t, you might want to consider investing in additional insulation. You can check your windows and doors for drafts by looking at the caulking around the wood frames or the glazing that holds glass windowpanes together. If you notice cracks, it’s time to fix them. You can also stand near a door or window and feel if cold air is making its way through the cracks.
Uneven Temperatures
If you notice that some rooms are consistently warmer than others, this could indicate that your home is under-insulated. Often, this can occur when blown-in insulation settles over time or if the ductwork isn’t sized correctly. Another sign of a poorly-insulated home is ice dams during the winter. When heat rises from the roof, it melts the snow and turns it into a dam of ice that can wreak havoc on your siding and gutters. Similarly, if your pipes aren’t properly insulated in the crawl space or walls, freezing winter temperatures can cause them to freeze and burst. This can be a major pain and cost you money.
Noisy Rooms
If your rooms are noisy and you hear echoes of everything from the TV to the vacuum, your home may be under-insulated. This can make your room a stressful place to be, and can even negatively affect your health. Your home may also be noisy if you have rooms with hard surfaces like walls, floors or doors that can cause reverberation and noise transfer. Adding sound-absorbing materials or products should definitely help!
If you’re looking to insulate your commercial property, there are several types of insulation available. Knowing which one is right for your building will help ensure the best performance possible and save you money on your energy bills. The types of commercial insulation include fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. They all have different R-values and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass, made of tiny glass fibers, is a widely used insulation material for residential and commercial buildings. It slows the spread of heat, cold and sound to improve energy efficiency. Besides being fireproof, fiberglass is also naturally sound-absorbent2 and reduces sound transmission in wall, ceiling, floor, and HVAC assemblies. For example, the first inch of fiberglass can increase an assembly’s sound transmission class (STC) value by three or four points in some constructions.
It is also available in blanket form, known as batts, in bags that contain pre-cut lengths and widths or loose fill, which can be blown into attic, wall, and floor cavities. It is most commonly installed in new home construction, gut renovations, and commercial building renovations, but can be used in other types of buildings as well. And while fiberglass insulation has proven to be an affordable option for homeowners, fiberglass is not as durable as other insulating materials and can become ineffective if it gets wet. It is also prone to air gaps, which can drive down performance.
Loose-Fill
Loose-fill insulation, also called blown-in insulation, is an excellent choice for residential and commercial properties. It uses recycled materials like cellulose and fiberglass to create a solid barrier that prevents air leakage and provides superior insulation. Cellulose is made from recycled paper products, such as discarded newsprint and cardboard. It is treated for fire resistance and pest-resistant properties, making it a good option for those who are concerned about the environment.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is an environmentally friendly form that can be installed on many commercial buildings. It is made from recycled paper products, primarily newsprint. The cellulose fibers are treated with borate compounds to resist fire, insects, and mold. It is also considered a green product since it uses much less energy than fiberglass. It is a highly recyclable material, containing as much as 80% post-consumer waste. Cellulose can be blown into open attics and enclosed cavities or sprayed into wall cavities. It can be used for both new and retrofit construction.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is a great option for commercial buildings that have unique shapes and size constraints. This type of insulation can be used to seal cracks and gaps and help maintain a comfortable temperature inside the property. It also helps to soundproof a building, reducing noise from outside the property and ensuring a peaceful work environment. Using this type of insulation can improve the value of your property while also lowering your energy costs.
Compared to other types of insulation, spray foam is extremely flexible and can be easily sprayed into small spaces. It can be used in new construction, rim joists, and even in attics. It is an excellent choice for commercial buildings because it can help to save money on energy costs and ensure a comfortable work environment. It can also help to protect equipment in sensitive rooms such as server rooms and prevent damage from temperature fluctuations.
Loose-Fill Insulation is a type of insulation most commonly used in attics. It is easy to install and can be added to any existing insulation. Loose-fill insulation is also eco-friendly, made from recycled materials such as paper, glass, and rock wool. Familiarizing yourself with the facts about loose-fill insulation will help you determine if this is the correct type of insulation for your home. Here are the advantages of loose-fill insulation
1. Easy To Install
The advantages of loose-fill insulation are many. First, it is easy to install. You can add loose-fill insulation to any existing insulation, making it an excellent option for retrofitting an older home. The process of installing loose-fill insulation is also less disruptive than other types of insulation, such as fiberglass batts. During installation, a special machine blows loose-fill insulation into the attic space. The material will settle into place, filling all nooks and crannies.
2. Eco-Friendly
Loose-fill is often made from recycled materials such as paper, glass, and rock wool, meaning it takes less energy to produce than other types of insulation. In addition, loose-fill insulation has a lower environmental impact than fiberglass batts because it does not require mining raw materials.
3. Save Money on Energy Bills
It is an effective way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Because loose-fill insulation evenly distributes heat, it eliminates hot spots and cold spots in your home, resulting in more consistent temperatures and lower energy bills.
4. Fire Resistant
This type of insulation is made from naturally fire-resistant materials, such as paper and rock wool. In addition, the installation process creates an airtight seal that prevents sparks and embers from igniting the insulation.
5. Reduce Noise Pollution
The material absorbs sound waves, acting as a sound barrier, which is helpful if you live in a noisy area or if your home is prone to echo. Also, if you have a home theater or music studio, loose-fill insulation can help reduce sound bleed.
6. Improve the Indoor Air Quality
The insulation traps pollutants and allergens, preventing them from circulating through your home. This can be helpful for people with allergies or asthma. It features an airtight seal that prevents the infiltration of outside air and mold, mildew, and dust.
7. Resistant to Mold and Mildew
The material does not provide a food source for mold and mildew, and the airtight installation prevents the infiltration of outside air, which can contain these spores. This is important in humid climates or if your home is prone to condensation.
Conclusion
Always remember that the material will not settle over time and will not degrade like other types of insulation. It will provide a consistent level of thermal protection for the life of your home.
Ace Insulation Inc. is a company that provides loose-fill insulation for homes. The company has many years of experience and offers various services, including installation, retrofitting, and eco-friendly options. Ace Insulation is an excellent resource if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of loose-fill insulation. The staff is knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have.
Rising energy costs and erratic weather have made the integrity of our homes and businesses more important than ever. You want to make sure that your home’s insulation is airtight and ready for whatever the outside world throws at it.
There are more products now on the market than ever before, and the choice can be overwhelming. Knowing the differences between blow-in insulation and spray foam insulation can be useful information, so read on for more insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Blow-in insulation 101
Blow-in insulation, at its core, means insulation products are physically blown into wall cavities, attics and so forth by using forced-air machines to move product into both tight and large spaces.
This insulation is usually made up of material like cellulose, which is typically made from wood or plant fibers. Alternatively, it’s sometimes composed of shredded fiberglass (e.g., recycled glass), much like the big pink rolls you’ve probably seen at the store. This is a green form of insulation thanks to its reliance on recycled materials, which is appealing to a lot of our customers. Blow-in insulation can be applied either on new construction or to shore up the insulation on an existing home, a versatile attribute.
The basics of spray foam insulation
Spray foam insulation is applied in a liquid form that expands over time, eventually taking up 30 to 60 times its original volume. This is a remarkably effective way to insulate a home, as it stops all sorts of heat transfer that can be murder on your utility bill. You can also choose between open- and closed-cell spray foam, which each have their own specific pros and cons that your technician can better explain.
This degree of quality can come at a price; one of the differences between blown-in insulation and spray foam insulation is that spray foam tends to cost a bit more.
Pros and cons
Overall, when it comes to blow-in insulation vs. spray foam insulation, it’s really up to you as a homeowner, but here are some quick takeaways.
When it comes to price, blow-in insulation usually has the edge; spray foam insulation is more difficult to apply with more expensive materials. This price difference also isn’t surprising when one considers that spray foam tends to be a more efficient material, especially if you opt for closed-cell foam. The R-value of closed-cell spray foam far surpasses that of open-cell foam or blow-in insulation, which can be valuable given our volatile weather. Another thing to consider is noise reduction; blow-in insulation has been shown to dampen sound at a degree that spray foam just can’t match.
Choosing between blow-in insulation and spray foam insulation shouldn’t just come down to whichever one is cheaper. It takes careful consideration of what you value and how you hope to change your home’s makeup. A professional from our team at Ace Insulation Inc. could be your best asset to help you more fully understand the pros and cons of each type of material, so give us a call today.
Areas Served
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