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.
Insulation is a necessity for most people to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature during extreme weather conditions. The most common type of insulation is fiberglass, which is made from tiny glass fibers. However, is fiberglass insulation safe?
Although fiberglass is an effective insulator, it can be dangerous to work with due to the small glass fibers that can cause irritation.
Read further to find out more about fiberglass insulation.
What Is Fiberglass?
Fiberglass insulation is made from glass fibers that are spun into a web and then bonded together with a resin. It can be found in a variety of forms, including blankets, rolls, batts, and loose-fill.
It is a popular type of insulation due to its low cost and high R-value, which is a measure of an insulation’s ability to resist heat flow.
The Origins of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation was first developed in the early 1930s by Owens-Corning, a company that is still in business today. Owens-Corning was looking for a way to use waste glass from their other operations and turned it into insulation. Fiberglass insulation quickly gained popularity due to its low cost and high efficiency.
During World War II, fiberglass insulation was used in military applications to insulate ships and other vehicles. After the war, fiberglass insulation became widely used in residential and commercial construction.
The Dangers of Fiberglass Insulation
Although fiberglass insulation is an effective insulator, it can be dangerous to work with. The small glass fibers that make up the insulation can cause skin and respiratory irritation. It is important to wear gloves, long sleeves, and a dust mask when working with fiberglass insulation to avoid contact with the skin and inhaling the fibers.
A common question is, " I touched pink insulation, and my whole body itches. What should I do?"
If you come in contact with it, wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. See a doctor immediately if you experience any respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing.
Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation
Some alternative insulation materials on the market do not pose the same dangers as fiberglass insulation.
Cellulose Insulation
One alternative is cellulose insulation, which is made from recycled paper products. Cellulose insulation has a similar R-value to fiberglass insulation, but it does not have the same dangers associated with it.
Spray Foam Insulation
This type of insulation comes from a mixture of chemicals that are sprayed onto the surface to be insulated. Spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass insulation but is also more expensive.
There Are Pros and Cons of Fiberglass
In conclusion, fiberglass insulation is a popular and effective type of insulation, but it can be dangerous to work with. Some alternative insulation materials on the market do not pose the same dangers as fiberglass insulation.
If you are considering adding insulation to your home, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each type of insulation to decide what is best for you and your family.
One effective way to cut down on your energy bills is to insulate your home. Home insulation ensures that indoor temperatures remain comfortable by keeping heat out when it is hot outside — and in when a warmer indoor temperature is needed. Because of insulation, you will not have to rely heavily on the HVAC system to keep comfortable indoor temperatures.
Several insulation products are on the market, each of which has its benefits. Research shows that about 85 percent of American homeowners are insulating their attics using fiberglass. What then makes fiberglass such a popular material for home insulation?
The Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation
Below are the benefits of fiberglass insulation in homes:
It is both fire-resistant and moisture-resistant: One of the risks of homeownership is the possibility of property damage due to a natural calamity. Luckily, in the case of a fire or a flood, you can bet on fiberglass to resist these elements. Fiberglass is not waterproof, since it can become wet. However, it does not hold or retain water. You can dry it easily and put it right back in the attic. And since fiberglass is moisture resistant, you will not have to worry about mildew or mold growth. Additionally, fiberglass is noncombustible, a particularly desired quality since installing attic insulation requires lining the materials within wooden joists.
Soundproofing: Installing fiberglass within the walls and floors of your home assists in minimizing the noises from objects dropping, footsteps, and people talking in a neighboring room. When your property has excellent soundproofing, its privacy levels increase as well.
High R-Value: The R-value of a material measures its capacity to prevent heat transfer. The greater the R-value, the more resistance the material is to conductive heat transfer. The right R-value you will require will depend on factors such as your locality’s climate zone and the space you are insulated.
Fiberglass is also available in loose-fill form: Although batts are often easy to install, the work becomes challenging for attics with minimal crawl and headroom space for one to maneuver around, cumbersome spacing between joists, cooling, and heating units, or other obstructions on the ground and pipes on the walls. Luckily, you can avoid the headache of dicing insulating fiberglass batt to a specific size using loose-fill fiberglass.
It is cheap: Fiberglass insulation is not only effective, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and durable, but it is also a cost-effective material. Although fiberglass products are excellent insulators, they are relatively cheap. The cost point and energy savings make fiberglass products ideal for home insulation.
Enhances your well-being: Fiberglass insulation improves the thermal comfort of your home. When your home is comfortable, your physiological and mental health improves. You feel less stressed and calmer; thus, you become more productive. Furthermore, combining fiberglass insulation with balanced humidity levels and better ventilation can enhance your home’s thermal comfort —and consequently, your overall well-being.
Are you looking for a home insulation expert? For over 21 years, Ace Insulation Inc. has been offering high-quality insulation installation services. We have several products to choose from, including spray foam and fiberglass. For more information, call (707) 584-8377.
Whether you’re building a brand-new home in Northern California or you need to install new insulation in your current home, you’ll need to decide what type of insulation material is best for your needs. While fiberglass has been the standard for decades, spray foam is gaining in popularity as a highly effective thermal barrier. Read on to gain a basic understanding of the differences of fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation and discover which material you should use for your home.
What are the differences between the materials?
Fiberglass and spray foam insulation are very different materials. Fiberglass insulation is composed of delicate fibers of recycled materials, including melted glass. The fibers are held together with an adhesive backing, like aluminum foil or paper, that resists moisture and vapor. It comes in either batt form, which almost looks like a block of insulation, or loose fill.
Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, is a liquid chemical that comes out of a spray can. It expands immediately as it’s applied, forming an airtight seal over cracks and any other voids. It creates both a thermal and vapor barrier all at once.
Which option resists airflow the best?
An insulation’s airflow resistance is measured in terms of its R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at keeping cold and hot air from seeping into your home. In general, spray foam has a higher R-value when compared to fiberglass insulation. Closed cell spray foam insulation is a particularly effective thermal barrier, with R-values reaching up to 7.0.
Fiberglass insulation can have a high R-value as well when installed by a professional technician. High-density fiberglass options have R-values as high as 4.3, which is generally enough to keep a home in Northern California comfortable during every season. You can also bolster your insulation by having the fiberglass batts stacked on top of each other, whereas you are limited in the number of spray foam layers you can apply in one area.
Which option resists moisture the best?
Moisture resistance is one area where fiberglass and spray foam perform equally well. Either option will give you a good moisture barrier, which is especially important in an area like an attic. Luckily, you won’t see mold or mildew growing on either type of insulation.
Which option is easiest to install?
The process of installation is one of the key differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation. If you have a wide-open attic with no obstructions, fiberglass batts are the easiest and the cheapest option. For attics with multiple obstructions, spray foam can be installed quickly, but it’s also more expensive.
Knowing the differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation can help you select the best option for your Northern California home. No matter which option you choose, professional installation by an experienced technician ensures that your property is completely sealed from the air outside. Contact Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about the differences between these materials and how we can help you keep your home comfortably insulated all year long.
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