You might already know that insulation prevents heat transfer, can help with soundproofing and increases your fire resistance, but do you know how it actually works? It’s time to revisit your middle school science classes.

Read on to get a refresher course with some FAQs on insulation and heat transfer.

What is insulation?

Insulation is any material that prevents heat transfer—that is, hot air moving toward cold air. Some materials are more suitable as insulation than others. Consider the difference between sticking a cold soda can in a canvas tote versus an insulated bag. Since canvas isn’t an effective insulation material, hot air from outside can easily pass through, and the can will start warming up a lot faster. In contrast, an insulated bag usually has other materials (e.g., plastic inner liners, vinyl exteriors and polyurethane fillers) that will help keep heat away from the contents.

There are many different types of insulation. Fiberglass, spray foam, blown-in insulation and other varieties are popular in residential construction. Some are even made of specially-treated paper. Depending on the type of building you own, you might have one or more of these insulation types. Most of it fits between the walls or on attic ceilings, so hot air can’t encroach or escape your home, depending on the season.

How does insulation work?

You might recall middle school science classes—you probably learned that when hot and cold air (or objects) meet, the heat flows from one area to another until the temperature evens out. This can occur in air and buildings, but it also happens with liquids and solid objects.

Insulation works by creating a barrier against heat transfer. Just like in the example above, a canvas bag isn’t a particularly effective barrier against heat transfer, but a bag with multiple layers will help block it.

There are three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction happens when two objects are in contact with each other, like putting a cool pan on a hot stove. Convection occurs in gases or liquids, and radiant heat transfer occurs via electromagnetic waves.

Insulation addresses heat transfer depending on what kind you’re trying to prevent. For example, radiant heat transfer in buildings often occurs due to the sun beating down on them. Radiant insulation uses aluminum panels to bounce the electromagnetic waves away from the roof, keeping the interior cool.

Convection and conduction can be prevented by adding multiple layers in walls. The hot air is trapped between the layers—just like if you’re wearing a T-shirt, sweatshirt and heavy jacket in the winter. Your body heat is trapped by the multiple layers, preventing it from leaching out into the cold air; therefore, you stay warmer even though it’s 32 degrees outside.

When you own a building, you might need to install more than one type of insulation to prevent different kinds of heat transfer. It’s best to talk to an insulation contractor about what kind you need and why.

For all your insulation needs, get in touch with Ace Insulation Inc. to learn more about what we can do for you.

Northern California is prone to icy winters and long, hot summers. If your building lacks appropriate insulation, you could find yourself incredibly uncomfortable. Insulation blocks heat transfer, i.e., when hot air and cold air meet, the hot air will move into the cold air until the temperature evens out.

When you don’t have good insulation, heat transfer occurs between indoor and outdoor air. You might notice excessively high energy bills and areas that never seem to warm up or cool down like the rest of the building. This demonstrates the importance of thermal insulation.

Here’s why your building needs good insulation:

• Keep your indoor temperatures comfortable year-round: The top reason to insulate your building, of course, is to stay comfortable. After all, we have heaters and air conditioners, so there’s no need to sweat profusely during the summer or shiver all winter long. Insulation helps protect your building from heat transfer, so you won’t have to run the heater or air conditioner as much. Since the air is blocked from leaving your building through the walls, you’ll stay comfortable all year long.
• Save money on your energy bills: In addition to the comfort that quality insulation provides, it also saves you money on your energy bills. If you’ve ever gotten a PG&E bill that sent you into sticker shock, you might want to have a professional take a look at the insulation. Depending on what’s currently in your building, it could have settled or degraded over time. Fixing the insulation will guarantee lower bills year-round.
• Enjoy enhanced stability in the structure: Thermal insulation also provides stability for your building. Insulation not only affects the temperature but can help shore up the inner workings of your home, commercial or industrial building.
• Keep excessive noise out (or in): When you have good insulation, you’ll be shocked at how much quieter your home seems—unless you have spirited children, in which case, good insulation makes for good neighbors. Insulating your home or other building will help cut down on how the sound travels through the walls.
• Can help resist fires: Many types of insulation are fire-resistant, which can offer additional protection until the fire department comes on the scene. In wildfire-prone California, this is a must-have.
• Allows for light buildings with minimal pressure: Finally, thermal insulation (especially expanded polystyrene panels) allows builders to construct buildings without putting extra pressure on ceilings and walls. This helps prevent extra deadweight on your vulnerable surfaces, like the roof decking.

There are several different types of thermal insulation available, from fiberglass batts to spray foam insulation. The type you choose should depend on your building’s type and location.

When you have good thermal insulation, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Don’t miss out on the protections—and energy savings—that a well-insulated building can provide.

Ace Insulation Inc. provides quality insulation in the Northern California and Nevada areas. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation and get a quote.

Vapor barriers are a type of plastic film designed to be impermeable so as to prevent moisture from seeping through. They’re frequently used as part of a building envelope in walls and ceilings, and can also be used underneath certain flooring installations.

One of the most common questions Northern California residents have when remodeling a room or finishing off a basement concerns in which situations vapor barriers are needed after putting in the insulation. Not every wall requires a vapor barrier—keep in mind that it’s used to prevent water vapor from getting in through the protected surface. To determine whether you will need a vapor barrier, you must consider:

• Your climate: Certain climate zones are more likely to need a vapor barrier. Areas that see a wider range of temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year are more likely to need a vapor barrier than areas that see pretty consistent climates. Zones 4C, 5, 6, 7 and 8 should all have vapor barriers installed.
• Cladding type: Many homes are clad with brick, stone, stucco, fiber cement or wood, which can retain moisture and create moisture challenges. Therefore, homes with these types of materials are more likely to need vapor barriers.
• Wall location: If it’s an exterior wall and either of the above characteristics indicate that you need a vapor barrier, then it’s a good idea to place the barrier in that exterior wall.

Using the vapor barrier

Vapor barriers are often an automatic part of any wall construction in certain climates. However, if installed incorrectly, the vapor barrier could actually create extra moisture problems than what you would otherwise have encountered, which is why it’s a good idea to leave the installation up to the professionals if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

There are a variety of available options with vapor barriers. Smart vapor barriers feature material that is able to react to changes in surrounding humidity by creating corresponding changes to its physical structure. This results in letting moisture out of the wall, whether the humidity levels are higher outside of the wall or inside of the wall. This makes it an ideal solution for areas that see a mixed climate and varying humidity levels throughout the year as the seasons turn.

Vapor barriers should be installed after the insulation, but before the finished part of the wall (such as drywall). The material will likely only be a couple millimeters thick, but that is more than enough to prevent moisture from getting through and into some of the materials of your home, where it could potentially cause buildups of moisture resulting in mold or mildew and weakened structural integrity of the walls.

Are you interested in learning more about the various types of vapor barriers available and how to use them? Ace Insulation Inc. encourages you to contact our insulation contractors in Northern California for more information about in what situations vapor barriers are likely to be needed. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

When you take the plunge and purchase your own home, you will quickly discover that, as rewarding as homeownership is, there are numerous threats that will do their best to undermine your investment. Pests try to crawl in through the attic. Appliances break down. Plumbing malfunctions. One issue that you may not be aware of, however, is the threat that moisture can pose to your home. While you’re worrying about other problems, moisture invades your home and causes a massive number of issues.

Fortunately, there is a solution: moisture barriers. The practical benefits and uses for moisture barriers in Northern California are innumerable.

Be a friend to the environment

At its most basic level, a moisture barrier is a form of insulation. That means besides its primary function, it can also be relied on to regulate the flow of heat through your home. When your moisture barrier is in place, you will ensure that hot and cool air stay where they’re supposed to—that means you’ll end up using less power from the grid to keep cool.

Stay comfortable

When moisture creeps into your home, it can wreak havoc with the overall temperature. You may be spending hundreds of extra dollars a year keeping your home cool when a moisture barrier could have prevented any issues to begin with.

Save your pipes

One of the most commonly overlooked uses for vapor barriers in Northern California is their benefit to your pipes. Moisture that seeps into the ground or crawlspace underneath your home will inevitably pool around utility pipes. Over time, this can lead to erosion and the breakdown of the pipes. That can quickly turn into an expensive and messy proposition.

Keep things rosy

Long-term moisture buildup in your home will cause all kinds of structural problems. Of course, the first thing you’ll notice is also one of the most inconvenient: the smell. When moisture gets into your home, it can cause the growth of mold and mildew, which, in addition to exacerbating allergies and spreading disease, will also smell extremely unpleasant.

Pest control

All kinds of pests throughout California love nothing more than finding a quiet, moist spot to eat food and make babies. When you take the time to install a moisture barrier in your home, you can make sure you’re not tempting pests to make your home their own.

Insulation you can count on

Are you intrigued by the uses of moisture barriers in Northern California? Then come to Ace Insulation Inc. Our highly-skilled team will come to your home or office, identify your needs and then craft a custom insulation solution to meet them.

Since we opened our doors in 2011, Ace Insulation Inc. has developed a long-lasting relationship with our customers based on mutual respect and professionalism. When you enlist our help, you can be confident that you are getting expert service from a team that is devoted to your satisfaction. That’s our promise to you. Visit us online or give us a call today to learn more!