Category: Insulation Installation

Home insulation plays an essential role in maintaining the comfort and efficiency of your home. Adding or upgrading insulation can do wonders for your home’s temperature control, and it can even bring down your energy bills significantly. If you are interested in insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, you might be considering the cost of hiring a professional vs. approaching the project yourself. The potential to save money and avoid the cost of hiring a professional might make you consider whether you should undertake a do-it-yourself installation project. Even though you might be able to save money upfront with DIY installation, it’s important that you think about all of the factors that are at play to help you determine whether DIY is really the best option:

• Consider materials: The first thing you will have to decide during an insulation project is the kind of material you will be using. There are a number of different insulation options available, including fiberglass, spray foam and blown-in cellulose. Different insulation types are better suited for different areas of the home, so it’s important to do plenty of research before making your decision.
• Research safety measures: Safety is essential—especially when you are completing a DIY project. Make sure you have all of the necessary safety gear and equipment on hand, and dress in protective clothing to avoid irritation or illness from exposure to dangerous insulation materials. You also have to safeguard your respiratory system against exposure to insulation material. To avoid the discomfort and irritation that is associated with inhaling insulation fumes, always wear a mask or breathing apparatus when you are working on an insulation project.
• Use caution: You should never rush through insulation installation in Petaluma, CA. When insulation is installed haphazardly, it is more likely to be placed too close to lighting fixtures or wiring, which can be a major fire hazard. It’s not uncommon for people to attempt a DIY insulation project only to realize that they installed the material too close to electrical components, creating a serious fire risk.
• Be thorough: The best way to promote the highest level of efficiency in your insulation is to ensure that you apply the material thoroughly and sufficiently. Leaving even small gaps can cause your insulation to be much less effective at regulating your home’s temperature and decreasing excess moisture. Even though you want to have full coverage from your insulation, you should also remember that packing in too much insulating material can stifle airflow and cause other problems.

DIY insulation installation in Petaluma, CA might sound like a good idea, but it can actually end up being more trouble than it’s worth. Invest in installation that is done efficiently, effectively and safely by calling the experienced professionals at Ace Insulation Inc. For years, our team has been dedicated to safe, timely and reliable installations for our customers within 100 miles of Petaluma. Visit our website today to find out more about all of our fantastic services, and then reach out to us by phone to schedule an appointment!

One of the biggest DIY projects homeowners decide to undertake is finishing their basement. Not only does it give them a wealth of DIY experience, it’s also not part of the living space—which means they can take as long as they want or make as many mistakes as they need to before getting things right.

Just because basement finishing is a good DIY project doesn’t mean it’s without its pitfalls, though. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners tend to make when refinishing their basement has to do with insulation. Often, they don’t have all of the essential information or foresight that a professional contractor does, leading to some costly and invasive headaches if the project is done wrong.

We’re here to provide some tips on what to do and what not to do when you install insulation in Petaluma, CA for your basement.

The Proper Process

Before we break down tips for basement insulation, it’s important to get a grip on the overall process. Here’s what it looks like in most cases:

• The base concrete or cinderblock basement walls are cleaned and treated for water
• Foam board insulation is glued to the base and exposed walls and left to properly dry
• The walls of the basement are framed directly against the foam board insulation
• Plumbing and electrical are run through the newly framed walls
• The walls are insulated with batting
• Sheet rock or water-resistant drywall is used to finish the walls

As you can see, there are actually two types of insulation commonly used. Moreover, they’re used in a specific order. Here’s why:

• Foam board insulation is placed directly against the bare walls because it’s inert—meaning it won’t mold or become soggy if there is water leakage in the basement. This is important for avoiding rot.
• Batt insulation is used after the walls are framed to provide true insulation properties to the basement, while also preserving an air barrier. It’s also the most affordable option.

Again, this is most cases. In many newer homes or in homes with larger budgets, spray foam insulation is absolutely an option and provides the same, if not better, benefits with even better longevity.

Tips to Keep in Mind

For DIY homeowners about to install insulation in Petaluma, CA, there’s more to the process than just following the steps. Here are a few unspoken tips to keep in mind:

• When gluing foam board insulation, make sure to use glue specially made for foam applications. Regular commercial glue will degenerate the foam over time.
• Have a building inspector or code compliance inspector observe your foam board and framing before proceeding. Then, have them inspect again after the batting is installed, to make sure everything is up to code.
• Don’t even think about insulating your basement until you’re certain there are absolutely no leaks present!

Finishing a basement is a great confidence booster for the aspiring DIY enthusiast. Even though there is room for mistakes, however, it’s best to avoid them by doing this right the first time. Consider the above tips when it comes to framing and insulation.

Good insulation helps keep your house warm when it’s cold outside, and cool when it’s hot outside. For a long time, fiberglass insulation was the go-to choice for home insulation, but with our society’s growing focus on going green, a number of more eco-friendly insulation options have gained in popularity.

If you’re in the market for insulation—say you’re building a house or refinishing an attic––and it’s important to you that your insulation be green, here are some of the best options according to your favorite source for insulation installation in Petaluma, CA:

• Wool insulation: This is an excellent and convenient green insulation solution. It comes in rolls just like fiberglass, so it’s just as easy to install. And unlike fiberglass, it’s easy on the lungs. You can install it without wearing protective gear. Obviously, wool is highly sustainable. It’s also an excellent insulator, and resistant to moisture and mold. It needs to be treated to be fully flame retardant, which somewhat diminishes its eco-friendliness.
• Cotton insulation: Similar to wool, it’s also sold in rolls, and is safe and easy to install. It’s often made of recycled denim, making it of very low environmental impact. It’s good at absorbing moisture and allowing it to evaporate, meaning it doesn’t often attract mold. However, it must be treated to become flame resistant. Also, it can be quite expensive, so it’s not always the best option for large, airy places.
• Cellulose loose-fill insulation: This is made from recycled paper. It’s a sprayed or blown loose-fill insulation. Because it’s a spray insulation, it provides a tight seal as a wall and attic insulator, preventing too many air leaks, which are a major cause of loss of heat/cool and higher energy costs. It’s about as effective per inch as fiberglass, very environmentally friendly and one of the most affordable insulation solutions around.
• Spray-foam insulation: This is sprayed on to about the thickness of paint and then expands to about 100 times that size, meaning it provides a totally airtight seal—so airtight that you’ll likely need to install a ventilation system if you use it. Icynene spray-foam insulation provides the energy-saving benefits of spray-foam insulation, with the green benefits of the other naturally sourced insulations, as icynene is made from castor oil and is a water-based foam. Unlike wool and cotton, however, it needs to be installed by a professional.
• Mineral wool: Mineral wool is made from recycled smelting slag, so its eco-friendliness is because it is recycled, not necessarily because of the material itself. Mineral wool is made by taking molten slag rock and converting it into fibers that are spun together into a wool-like insulation. Because of the treatment of the slag rock, mineral wool is naturally fire resistant, and doesn’t need to be further treated to prevent mold. It is also an excellent insulator. Mineral wool can be irritating to your respiratory system, though, so take care to wear protective gear when installing this material.

Since 2001, Ace Insulation Inc. has been on the cutting edge of eco-friendly insulation installation in Petaluma, CA. We’re a locally owned and operated insulation installation company, and whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing space, we are the team to call.

While most people know that insulation provides protection from heat loss in the wintertime, they’re less likely to know that it also has protective qualities that are designed to work during the summertime. Insulation installation in Petaluma, CA can actually make you cooler inside your home throughout the summer months by reflecting the sun’s heat from inside your home.

Reduced moisture

Just like in winter, your insulation provides a barrier of protection for your home to keep warm air out and your cooled air-conditioned air in. Because your insulation installation in Petaluma, CA is designed to reflect heat, you gain benefits during the summertime thanks to its cooling properties. Your house will stay cooler and not heat up as much when it gets hot outside.

Without proper insulation in your home, you will feel the hot outdoor air seep in through your walls and heat your home quickly during the summer months. It will also make it more humid as moisture travels through the air, making you sticky and uncomfortable.

Insulation installation in Petaluma, CA acts as moisture control, keeping your home free from that sticky feeling that comes with excess humidity. You will immediately feel more comfortable with the installation of insulation in your home, as the moisture level in your house will decrease as a result.

Energy savings

One of the major benefits of insulation keeping your home cooler in the summertime is what it can do for your energy bills. Because you are using insulation to keep the hot air out of your home, your air conditioner is able to circulate cooler air throughout your house that stays put inside.

When your home is inherently cooler, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the indoor temperature. This means that your air conditioning system will operate less frequently while still keeping you comfortable and at the temperature you have set on your thermostat.

Having professional insulation installation in Petaluma, CA makes it possible to reap these energy savings benefits, as you will experience little cooling loss through your walls, ceiling or attic. It has been estimated that you can cut your energy bill in half by having modern insulation installed throughout your home for protection from the summer heat.

Some insulation even has a reflective backing that is designed to reflect the sun’s heat away from your home in the summertime. This also works in the wintertime to keep heat inside your home, and is another reason to have your home insulated properly for year-round comfort.

With insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, you will feel more comfortable and cool in the summertime inside your home. Your air conditioner will get less use, and you will save a bundle on your energy bill every month. To have your home protected for summer with new insulation, contact the experts at Ace Insulation Inc. We specialize in a variety of insulation types to keep you cool in the winter and warm in the summer. Get in touch today to arrange an estimate!