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.
Insulation is an important feature in all Northern California homes. Whether you’re building a new house or considering replacing your current insulation, you have a choice when it comes to the material you use. While fiberglass insulation, in either batt or loose fill options, is a popular choice, it’s not always the best one. Here are the major pros and cons of fiberglass insulation and how you can tell if it’s right for your home.
Thermal protection
When considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation for your Northern California home, one of the major benefits is its thermal protection value. Both fiberglass batt and loose fill insulation can provide up to R-4.3 per inch, but only when the insulation is installed correctly. It takes professional installation, starting with comprehensive air sealing, to ensure that fiberglass insulation maintains its level of thermal protection throughout the years. In some cases, a technician will have to “top up” the insulation to maintain its protective value. When installed correctly, your fiberglass insulation can have a higher R-value than some types of spray foam insulation.
Air seal
One of the cons to choosing fiberglass insulation is that creating an airtight seal is a bit more complicated when compared to spray foam insulation, but it can be done. Spray foam creates both an air barrier and an insulation barrier all at once. It is considerably more expensive than fiberglass materials, though. Again, if you choose to go the more affordable route and select fiberglass as your insulating material, make sure the installation is done by a seasoned professional. The technician will install a separate air barrier to keep your home airtight.
Moisture barrier
Insulation needs to be able to resist moisture, and in areas like an attic cavity, moisture accumulation can be prevalent. In considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation, one of the major drawbacks is that fiberglass batts don’t create a moisture or vapor barrier on their own. If you rely on the services of a professional insulation technician, though, they’ll make sure to install a separate barrier that will keep your attic free from the damaging effects of moisture.
Fire resistance
A key benefit to choosing fiberglass as your insulating material is that it can either be naturally fire resistant or treated with a fire retardant to protect your home in case of fire. Always rely on the expertise of a trained professional for peace of mind that your insulation won’t catch fire. Spray foam, on the other hand, requires a special thermal barrier material placed over the insulation. It’s an extra cost that you don’t have to pay for if you choose a fiberglass option.
Understanding the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation can help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing insulation for your Northern California home. Always rely on the professional expertise that only a trained insulation installation expert can provide. Contact Ace Insulation Inc today to learn more about the best thermal barriers for your home.
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!
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