Category: Insulation Installation

Whether you’re in the insulation business or a building owner getting ready for renovations, you may have heard of firestopping insulation. But what is it, and what do you need to know about it? Read on for some details regarding the use of firestopping insulation. When you’re ready to invest in insulation installation in Northern California, this may prove to be a good option!

What is firestopping insulation?

Firestopping insulation is designed to stop fire from spreading. Even in the most extreme temperatures, this material can resist heat and melting. A unique characteristic of this particular firestopping insulation is that it doesn’t produce smoke, which makes it a great option for commercial and industrial applications. It upgrades your building to a stronger R-value insulation while also fulfilling fire safety requirements.

Firestopping insulation is lightweight and semi-rigid, made from stone wool and created to provide firestopping and acoustical properties for a variety of buildings. It fills perimeter gaps between concrete flooring, floor and ceiling slabs, exterior walls and firewalls, and can be installed around conduit pipes and duct openings running through floors and walls. Not only it is fire resistant and non-combustible, it also won’t create toxic smoke or allow flames to spread. Other benefits include its ability to increase a building’s energy efficiency, improve thermal stability and control noise coming into and leaving the building.

Three common misconceptions

Although firestopping insulation is highly praised in the industry, not everything you may have heard about it is true. Let’s break down the three most common myths surrounding firestopping insulation to set the record straight:

• Caulks and sealant have to be red: One of the top misunderstandings about firestopping caulks and sealants is that they must be red in color. This is not true, as there are no code requirements that enforce it. The truth is that firestopping sealants and caulks come in many different colors in order to differentiate the types of products and how they are to be used.
• Polyurethane foam is a firestopping material: Not all insulation materials are firestopping products—they must bear the correct markings from a third-party testing agency. This is important to know, since low-density polymer foams can ignite easily and be taken over by fire. That said, polyurethane foam, unless specifically formulated and tested for firestopping use, is a terrible choice as a fire barrier insulation material.
• All pipe insulation is similarly firestopped: This statement is simply not true. Keep in mind that the fire protection performance of pipe insulation materials can vary dramatically. For instance, some non-combustible insulation materials like mineral wool can resist fire and actually help during the firestopping process. But since low-density polymer foam insulation can be challenging generally to firestop, the firestopping material used on pipe insulation also needs careful consideration.

If you’re a homeowner or building owner who wants more information about firestopping insulation installation in Northern California, feel free to contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Reach out to us for all of your insulation needs!

You probably know you have several building insulation material options to choose from. But which one is best for your home or commercial building? After all, there are many significant benefits to some of the available options, while others can leave you wishing for more. Here’s a look at some of the key differences between spray foam insulation and other forms of traditional insulation installation in Northern California.

The main difference

Spray foam insulation differs from more traditional types, like fiberglass and cellulose, in that it’s an air barrier and thermal barrier all rolled into one. Traditional forms of insulation don’t provide any barriers to the flow of air.

Attic insulation options

Before upgrading your attic insulation, you want to be sure you are choosing the right type of insulation for your needs, energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Below are the three main types of insulation materials:

• Spray foam insulation: When it comes to easy-to-install insulation, spray foam takes the cake. This dense foam is applied onto the surfaces in need of insulation and expands to fill the space around it. Unlike rolled fiberglass and blown-in materials, foam seals air leaks and creates a barrier from moisture. Closed-cell foam is generally more rigid and hardens after application, while open-cell is spongy and a bit softer. If you need to access an area coated in the foam, it must be removed by cutting or scraping. Afterward, replacement is as simple as respraying the affected area. The foam will naturally close the gaps as it expands.
• Batt insulation (fiberglass): It’s generally pink, looks like cotton candy and is always itchy if you’re unlucky enough to get any on you—this is batt insulation. This is a tried and true solution to the needs of millions of American homes, but it has something to be desired when it comes to longevity, moisture protections and performance in nooks and crannies. It’s fairly easy to install and doesn’t require any curing time or special magic to get it working. If you need to work on an area with this type of insulation, simply roll it up and try not to let it touch your bare skin.
• Blown-in insulation: Blown-in insulation is another popular option these days, but it’s way messier than batt or spray foam insulations. Essentially, blown-in insulation is cellulose that is pumped into spaces like attics. Because it is largely made of paper, it isn’t great at sealing out moisture or killing air leaks once and for all. In fact, it does the exact opposite and can soak water up. This can mean wet material sitting around in your attic waiting to grow mold and cause rot. Working on an area with this insulation will require scooping it out by hand before work can proceed.

So, which is better? Talking to Ace Insulation Inc. is a great place to start. Not every house is an ideal candidate for every type of insulation, so be sure to do your homework before making an investment in insulation installation in Northern California. Otherwise, the wrong choice could have you regretting your decision down the line!

No matter where you live, every homeowner knows that insulation is an essential element of every home. Insulation helps improve the integrity of your walls, keeps moisture out, reduces noise and keeps warm air in during the winter and cold air in during the summer. What most homeowners are less certain of is what type of insulation they should get.

Spray foam and fiberglass are two of the most common forms of insulation, and they both have certain pros and cons. At Ace Insulation Inc., your local source for insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, we’ve often discussed with our customers the differences between spray foam and fiberglass insulation. With our experience with this topic, we’ve decided to put together a homeowner’s guide to spray foam vs. fiberglass.

Cost

Fiberglass insulation is significantly cheaper than spray foam, although the difference in cost has been diminishing over the years. On average, fiberglass costs about $0.40 per square foot, while spray foam costs $3.

Installation

Fiberglass is also less expensive to install. It requires less special equipment and less expertise. In fact, in some cases, fiberglass can be self-installed, depending on your skill level and where the insulation needs to be installed. Fiberglass insulation can be purchased at most home improvement stores. While spray foam may cost more to install, it is ideal when insulation needs to be installed in hard-to-reach or cramped spaces because it can simply be sprayed into areas that are difficult to access.

Performance

While spray foam may cost more than fiberglass insulation, it also performs better. Fiberglass insulation is less effective than spray foam, particularly in extremely cold temperatures. Fiberglass uses air pockets to create insulation to help keep cold air out, while keeping warm air in. Spray foam, on the other hand, creates an airtight seal. Because of this, the temperature is usually more consistent throughout your home with spray foam. Spray foam can also help reduce your energy costs, since your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Return on investment

Finally, which type of insulation offers a greater return on investment? While fiberglass costs less up front, it does not offer the same savings in the long run as spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation not only reduces your energy bill, but it can also help reduce home maintenance costs, such as replacing your furnace or having to deal with mold and mildew problems. Spray foam insulation also lasts longer, which means you can save money on having to replace your insulation.

Overall, while fiberglass has a lower up front cost, both in product and installation costs, it does not offer the long-term quality of spray foam insulation. Which insulation you decide to go with depends on your long-term goals and budget. Regardless of which type of insulation you choose, Ace Insulation Inc. can help. We offer both spray foam and fiberglass insulation installation in Petaluma, CA. Just call us today to learn more or to schedule your installation service!