Category: Home Insulation

Insulation installation is a key phase in the home construction process, but homes that were built decades ago often lack the kind of comprehensive insulation modern homes enjoy. Retrofitting older homes with new insulation can be a costly process, so many homeowners are hesitant to invest in this kind of project. For homeowners who live in warm climates, insulation might not seem very important. However, the reality is that insulation is essential no matter what the weather is like in your area.

The importance of home insulation

You might not spend much time thinking about your home’s insulation, but it’s essential when it comes to HVAC performance, energy efficiency and even the structural integrity of your home. Whether your home has outdated insulation, or it never had comprehensive insulation to begin with, it’s worth it to consider some of the benefits of getting insulation installation or upgrades. Here are a few of the reasons why home insulation is so important:

• Energy efficiency: One of the primary reasons why home insulation is so beneficial is because it boosts energy efficiency. Insulation blocks airflow between the inside and outside of your home to prevent temperature fluctuations. During the winter, insulation blocks drafts and keeps indoor air warm. In the summer, insulation prevents cool air from escaping and keeps your home comfortable when it gets hot outside. Effective insulation can make a huge difference in the energy efficiency of your home, so it can have a major impact on monthly energy costs.
• Reduced moisture: One of the most common weather-related problems homeowners experience is mold and mildew development due to elevated moisture levels. Thankfully, effective insulation can cut down on moisture significantly and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growing in attics and inside walls. This is essential to the quality of your indoor air and to the preservation of your home’s structural integrity, which can be threatened by water damage and excessive moisture.
• Noise reduction: Another benefit of home insulation installation is that it can minimize noise and help you enjoy a quieter home environment. Insulation blocks out street noise and other outdoor noise so you don’t have to deal with disruptions when you’re trying to relax at home.
• Home value boost: The initial cost of insulation installation can make homeowners hesitant to invest in these services, but the long-term benefits are well worth the upfront cost. Installing new insulation can increase home value by hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the details and scope of the project, so the costs of installation are often offset completely by the boost in home value.

Home insulation installation

At Ace Insulation Inc., we know how important home insulation is, and we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality insulation services for our customers. We’re a locally owned and operated business with years of experience providing insulation installation services. Whether you need insulation for an older home or you’re looking for help installing insulation for new construction, our team is here to help. Give us a call today to get started with a consultation and a quote.

Whether you live in a noisy neighborhood or want to train a herd of elephants in the privacy of your own home, soundproofing is a must. The best way to reduce noise is to use insulation as soundproofing in your Northern California home. Insulation is made of porous materials that can trap heat, preventing it from penetrating into (or out of) your walls. However, it can also muffle noise. Here are some of the best insulation choices for soundproofing purposes:

• Batt: Batt insulation comes in rolls or “blankets.” It’s usually made of fiberglass, which is stiff and fire resistant. Since it comes in rolls, it’s easy to cut it down to the size you need without too much effort. If you’re cutting more unusual shapes, however, it may be more time-consuming than if you were only creating thin rectangles. Batt insulation comes in a number of different thicknesses, so you can use it no matter how small the space between your walls may be.
• Foam spray: Spray foam insulation is one of the easiest types to install. All your insulation contractor has to do is spray the foam in the wall spaces, then scrape off any excess. This is ideal when your home is full of pipes, cables and other obstructions. Unlike with batt insulation, there’s no cutting involved. However, it does require a professional for installation—both batt and spray foam insulation can be hazardous to your health unless you wear the proper safety gear.
• Insulation boards and panels: These boards and panels are usually made of Styrofoam or a similar material, and are often installed on exterior walls. However, they can be installed on interior walls as well. They’re suitable for floors, ceilings, basement ceilings and even attics, as well as your walls. To be in compliance with most fire codes, they must be covered with gypsum board. Ask your insulation contractors for more information about whether this is the right option for your home or commercial building.
• Blown: Finally, blown insulation can also help soundproof your home. It’s similar to spray foam insulation, but it has a looser, less connected structure that works well for irregularly-shaped areas. This can be used in walls as well as floors. It’s made from fiberglass, cellulose or mineral rock left in small chunks. This helps it fill oddly shaped spaces.

Depending on your insulation goals, one of these types of insulation may be much better for your needs. Chances are you’ll need insulation to prevent heat transfer in your building, which means that it’s smart to choose an insulation type that meets both requirements.

If you’re not sure what kind of insulation to choose for soundproofing, talk to one of the friendly contractors at Ace Insulation Inc. Our team is well versed in noise-reducing insulation of all kinds, and we understand the different microclimates of Northern California and Nevada. Together, we can assess your building and your needs to find the right kind of insulation for you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

Summer is just around the corner, which means daytime temperatures will soon be in the 80s. The best way to keep your house comfortable while reducing your energy bills is to ensure your home is adequately insulated. However, that’s not always an easy task for the average homeowner.

Fortunately, we’re here to help you double-check your insulation and ensure you’re properly covered. Continue reading to learn how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California:

• Assess your energy bill: Your monthly cooling bill can be much higher if your home is unprepared for hot summer temperatures. This is because AC units have to work much harder to cool an under-insulated house. Adding high-quality insulation is an easy solution for lowering that bill and keeping your space comfortable.
• Perform a DIY energy audit: Purchasing a non-contact IR thermometer is the next step after paying your sky-high energy bill. This tool will tell you the precise temperature in different areas of the home. Point the device at walls, ceilings, doors, windows, vents, floors and anywhere else that’s insulated. If there are any variances in temperature—whether hot or cold—you’ll need to add some insulation.
• Hire a pro for an inspection: Our best advice regarding how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California is to hire a professional. An insulation contractor will tell you where you need insulation, how much you need and what kind of insulation will be best for the area.

Where should insulation be added?

Every home is different when it comes to insulation, which is why a professional inspection is required, but these are a few of the key areas that typically need more insulation for the summer months:

• Attic: The attic is often the hottest part of a house during the summertime. Even though you don’t spend a ton of time up there, all of that attic heat radiates downwards into your living space. You can reduce heat transfer by adding blown-in insulation or high-efficiency spray foam insulation in the attic.
• Crawlspace: Your home could use some extra insulation down below in the crawlspace or basement. Adding waterproof spray foam insulation in these damp and humid areas can reduce the chance of mold growth throughout the year while keeping your home a bit more comfortable in the summer.
• Exterior walls: When direct sunlight hits your exterior walls, the sun’s UV rays heat the interior of your home. Adding some more insulation is the best way to block that heat transfer. Blown-in insulation works well for these walls, as it causes minimal disturbance to finished areas.

Hire Ace Insulation Inc. today

Make sure your home is sufficiently insulated by contacting Ace Insulation Inc. right away! From understanding how to know if you need new insulation in preparation for the summer months in Northern California to actually insulating homes, we’re the best in the business. We look forward to working with you soon!

Insulation is pivotal in keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills low all year long. Unfortunately, insulation doesn’t last forever. It becomes less effective as it ages, and can even become a breeding ground for pests. Continue reading to learn a few of the signs that will help you determine if your Northern California home is not well insulated.

Old age

If your home was built before 1970, you can stop reading right now—it’s likely time to re-insulate your home. Insulation technology has come a long way in the past few decades, meaning it’s better at keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. Contact your insulation contractor today to schedule an assessment of your home.

Higher energy bills

Looking at your monthly heating and cooling bills is another easy way to tell if it’s time for insulation. If your energy bills are higher than usual, it means your HVAC system is working overtime to heat or cool your home. Adding insulation is an easy way to address this problem. Your new insulation will pay for itself in no time thanks to your lower energy bills.

Fluctuating room temperatures

If some rooms are colder or warmer than others, your home is likely under-insulated. Instead of simply adding insulation to the rooms that feel drafty or too warm, we recommend going a step further. Bolstering insulation up in the attic and down in the crawlspace is a better way to fix this issue while making your home more energy efficient.

Upper-floor temperature differences

If you have a multi-story home, you may notice a temperature difference on the floor closest to the attic. This is another one of the signs to watch for when determining if your Northern California home is not well insulated. There should be at least six inches of insulation in the attic. Any less than that could make upper floors colder or hotter than the rest of your home.

Cracks near windows or doors

It’s not uncommon for small cracks to appear on your walls, especially near windows or doors. After all, houses shift and settle through the years. While it’s not a bad idea to have these cracks inspected by a professional, they could indicate that your walls are under-insulated. Seal those cracks for the time being with caulk, then call an insulation contractor to bolster your insulation.

Evidence of pests

Rodents, insects and other creepy-crawly critters are known to make nests in blown-in insulation. After all, it’s nice and warm and away from predators. Any evidence of their presence—like droppings or urine stains—means your insulation is damaged and needs to be replaced. Upgrade to spray foam insulation to ensure this never happens again.

Contact our team today

Remember, insulation isn’t just something to worry about in the colder months—it protects your home all year long. So, if you’re concerned that your house might need new insulation, call Ace Insulation Inc. We know all the signs that determine whether your Northern California home is not well insulated, and we have all of the best insulation products to fix the problem.

Proper insulation is one of the most important investments you can make in your home to conserve energy and keep the interior of your home comfortable all year long. When installing new insulation in Northern California, you’ll have a wide range of options available, including rigid board insulation.

The most popular types of insulation across the country are generally batts or mats of soft insulation, but there are also fiberglass, cellulose and natural wool insulation materials that are popular alternatives. With rigid board insulation, you get hard, dense sheets of foam, typically polystyrene or polyurethane. The chemical structure of these substances is “closed cell,” which differs from many other insulation products that tend to be open cell.

The benefit of closed-cell insulation like rigid board is that it’s more durable and resistant to the elements. It also provides a greater R-value than open-cell insulation, meaning the insulation capacity is better for those types of products.

Expect most rigid foam products to come in 4’x 8’ sheets, with thicknesses ranging from 1/2” to 2”.

Situations in which rigid insulation is most beneficial

Wondering how rigid insulation is used in Northern California? Rigid board insulation can come in handy if you’re finishing a new section of a home, or doing a full remodel down to the studs. Rigid foam board is easily installed in between exposed studs, or along concrete walls in your basement. You can then install furring strips over the board to provide a secure base to finish the wall with drywall or other wall materials.

Rigid foam board is generally recommended for use against concrete walls, and is generally a better option than loose cellulose or fiberglass. Because concrete can seep moisture, open-cell insulation products like fiberglass could absorb that moisture through the concrete, resulting in a buildup of mold or mildew. You don’t have to worry about moisture affecting rigid boards, and thus won’t have to worry about potential mold or mildew problems forming behind your walls. Technically the foam is water resistant, not waterproof, so you don’t want it to be exposed to anything beyond normal basement and foundation moisture levels, but it should still offer more than enough protection for most people’s needs.

Of course, rigid foam board can be used in any other area of your home as well, though it’s generally recommended for external use or below-grade applications because of its natural moisture resistance. You can expect rigid foam insulation to last at least a century, meaning once it’s installed, you’ll never have to replace it.

The downside of rigid foam board is that it’s not particularly fire resistant in comparison to other insulation options, like mineral wool. But for the most part, you’ll find it to be an effective, reliable insulation option for most installation setups.

For more information about rigid insulation and the various other types of insulation available on the market in Northern California, we encourage you to contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. with any questions. We’d be glad to tell you more about our products and services.