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!
It’s in millions of homes across the United States, in between the walls and filling the free space in our attics. It’s insulation, and in a lot of cases, it’s made from fiberglass. But what exactly is fiberglass insulation in Northern California, and why is it so common?
What is fiberglass?
Just as the name would suggest, fiberglass insulation in Northern California is made from glass. Of course, that glass has been minced, crunched, cracked and shredded until it’s in microscopic shards. At least, that was the traditional makeup of fiberglass. These days, fiberglass also includes minute particles of plastic, as well, to reinforce the insulating power of the material.
What makes fiberglass so great?
In very basic terms, fiberglass keeps your home at the temperature you want it to be by blocking the flow of cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer. Without sufficient insulation in your walls, hot and cold air can travel freely.
Of course, as most homeowners know, there are several different types of insulation on the market besides fiberglass. Options like cellulose and wool have become increasingly popular. So, how did we determine that fiberglass is the preferable alternative? We used what’s called the R-value, the metric that judges thermal resistance. Another way to put it is that R-value is a measurement of how well a substance keeps warm air where it’s supposed to be.
Cotton has an R-value of up to 3.4 for every inch. Cellulose insulation maxes out at an R-value of up to 3.8 per inch. When it’s properly installed, fiberglass insulation has an R-value of a whopping 5.25 per inch.
Fiberglass has real value
You may not realize it, but airflow can account for as much as 40 percent of your home’s energy loss. That means if your home is improperly insulated, you could be losing a lot of money every month. Because of its R-value, fiberglass insulation not only curbs that monthly loss, but it also pays for itself in the long term.
In fact, fiberglass has an average return on investment of about 107 percent.
Fiberglass lasts
Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose fiberglass insulation is its sheer staying power. When cellulose is installed in a home, it quickly settles, sometimes as much as 20 percent. That means the R-value you get when cellulose is blown in isn’t the same one it provides a year later.
Compare this to fiberglass, which settles, on average, by as little as one percent. It stays that way, too. Once it’s installed, fiberglass can last for as long as 15 years.
Find out the fiberglass difference
Looking for fiberglass insulation in Northern California? Look no further than Ace Insulation Inc. Not in the market for fiberglass? No problem! We have years of experience offering the area’s most comprehensive and reliable insulation services for commercial and residential customers alike.
We’re proud to offer first-rate service at an extremely affordable price because your comfort is important to us. It’s that simple. Visit us online or give us a call today. We’re here for you!
Over time, insulation begins to naturally degrade. This is a totally normal part of the aging process—as insulation gets older, it starts to lose its effectiveness. If you’re noticing that your energy bills are getting higher, or if you’re feeling more drafts blowing through your living space in the wintertime, there’s a strong chance that you’ll need to replace your home’s insulation in the very near future.
Most homes, particularly older homes, have some form of fiberglass insulation installed. Fiberglass insulation usually takes the forms of blankets, batts or blown-in filler. As fiberglass degrades, it can become dust-like and relatively hard to remove. Because of this, it’s advisable to contact a professional specializing in fiberglass insulation in Northern California to remove your home’s or business’ old insulation materials. Removing your insulation on your own can be messy, time-consuming and dangerous.
If you do decide to remove your own insulation, however, there are a few things that you should be aware of. Once you’ve taken the insulation out of your home or commercial space, you’ll have to find a way to safely and legally dispose of it. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when removing and disposing of fiberglass insulation in Northern California:
Analyze your situation: The first thing you’ll need to do is analyze the insulation in your home, and make sure that it’s exclusively made from fiberglass. In older homes, there may also be other types of insulation that were mixed with the fiberglass. This could complicate the removal and disposal processes.
Exercise safety: Whenever handling insulation, you should plan for the worst-case scenario. Fiberglass often degrades into a dust-like substance that can be inhaled or stick to your skin. Wear clothes that cover your body, eye goggles and a face mask to stay safe while handling insulation.
Bag it up: To remove your insulation, bag it up in large plastic garbage bags, and tie them tightly shut at the neck, rather than with the drawstring. This will prevent any fiberglass dust from escaping during transportation. Be careful not to rupture the bags when handling them.
Find the best disposal option: Because fiberglass is a hazardous substance, you can’t just throw it away in your dumpster. You’ll have to call your local waste authority to learn about the best way to dispose of fiberglass in your area. You might have to pay a small fee at the dump site. Alternatively, some jurisdictions offer fiberglass recycling, also for a small fee.
Ace Insulation Inc. is the premier contractor specializing in the installation and removal of fiberglass insulation in Northern California. Whether you’re building a new home or are working on renovating your existing space, you can count on us to provide you with comprehensive insulation services and expertise. If you’re looking for a trusted partner to assist you with improving the insulation in your living space or place of business, reach out to one of our friendly representatives today. We look forward to helping you soon!
Fiberglass has become one of the most popular production materials on the planet. It’s used in everything from boat hulls and car bodies to stoplights and sports equipment. However, one of its most common uses is hidden inside the walls of your home. It’s estimated that fiberglass is used for insulation in 85 percent of houses across the country. Nowadays, there are numerous materials that are used for insulation, but fiberglass remains the most popular for a variety of reasons.
What is fiberglass insulation?
Fiberglass insulation is made from glass fibers that are woven in a method similar to how cotton candy is made, eventually resulting a wool-like material. It can be installed in a few different ways to insulate the walls of your home. It can come in precut and covered bags called batts, in large rolls that can be cut to specific dimensions, or as loose fill, which is usually used to insulate attics. The material works by trapping hot or cool air from escaping your home, which increases energy efficiency and keeps your home at the desired temperature and comfort level. Fiberglass insulation in Petaluma, CA has become the most popular choice for home insulation for the following reasons:
It’s inexpensive: At a cost of around 40 cents per square foot, fiberglass insulation is the least expensive insulation material on the market.
It’s easy to install: Fiberglass insulation can be installed by anyone who’s willing to do the work. That being said, it’s recommended that you hire a professional to complete the assignment, as it can be a dangerous material. Batts of fiberglass aren’t a problem because fibers can’t escape the plastic, but rolls and loose fill can be a problem for your lungs if you install it without a mask. The shards of glass in the insulation will irritate your skin if you don’t wear gloves.
It’s fire retardant: Hopefully your home never catches fire, but if it does, you can rest assured that the fiberglass insulation in your home won’t catch fire, too. In fact, the material serves to slow the spread of fire, making it an attractive safety feature.
Pests won’t eat it: Bug infestations are another part of homeownership that you’d like to avoid. Luckily bugs and other critters can’t get any nutritional value from fiberglass insulation, so there’s no risk of pests destroying the material.
Its ecological footprint is small: Many types of fiberglass insulation that you’ll find at a home improvement store are made in part (or entirely) with recycled glass. The recycled glass lowers the material’s overall price, and helps the environment at the same time.
It offers multiple installation options: While batts of fiberglass are great, they usually can’t cover every square inch of a room. Fortunately, professionals can cut rolls of fiberglass in order to fill all of the nooks and crannies in a home that batts can’t cover.
Ace Insulation Inc. has been installing fiberglass insulation for new home and renovations for more than five years. Contact us today to learn more about fiberglass insulation in Petaluma, CA and about all of our other services!
A balanced and comfortable indoor temperature is the main reason homeowners use quality insulation products. But while selecting home insulation in Petaluma, CA may seem easy enough to do, there are indeed differences between the types of materials. Let’s look at spray foam and fiberglass insulation, which are two common options.
Spray foam insulation
Versatility: Spray foam is the one insulation material that offers great versatility in your home. Did you know that this type of lightweight insulation was originally designed for and applied to military aircraft? Spray foam easily adheres to the surfaces it is sprayed onto, and unlike other insulation options, spray foam also stops air leaks—hence its popularity for aircraft use. Because of its spray-on application, it can be applied to open ceilings or in closed attics and walls.
Energy efficiency: With proper installation, spray foam insulation is exceedingly effective at keeping in cool air or warm air and aides in reducing noise. Comfortable temperatures, little to no air leakage and less noise is all thanks to the insulation spray reaching and settling into every nook and cranny of a space. And according to studies dedicated to understanding energy savings, spray foam can help you save up to 40 percent on your home energy costs, leading to reduced monthly bills.
Cost: The costs associated with new construction of a home or commercial building can add up quickly, especially since spray foam requires professional installation. While spray foam insulation is inexpensive, it is just as effective (if not more effective) as many other types of insulation materials, and it almost immediately proves to be a quality choice for your home or business. Also, if you have this insulation installed, check with the county you reside in to find out about a possible tax credit.
Fiberglass insulation
Versatility: Since fiberglass is rolled out or blanketed into a space, it can be laid over an area and then cut to fit directly into different sized spaces. But an installer should be careful with their cutting so the shaped fiberglass can create a tight fit for temperature and noise control between beams, electric sockets and ductwork.
Energy efficiency: Although less energy efficient than spray foam, fiberglass insulation is rather effective for homes that are not in areas where extreme cold is common. You can use it in the attic and interior walls for a moderate level of energy savings, making it a better option than having no insulation at all.
Cost: Fiberglass continues to be a popular choice for home and commercial building insulation. The material itself is cheaper than spray foam, plus homeowners who prefer to do their own home improvement work have had success installing rollout fiberglass insulation themselves. When you do the labor, you save money on installation, but it’s important to consider your capabilities. Can you do the job right without having to call for help halfway through? Don’t use this project as practice—you may end up adding on the costs instead of saving.
When it’s time for new home insulation in Petaluma, CA, give the team at Ace Insulation Inc. a call for more information on insulation options like spray foam and fiberglass.
Areas Served
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