Appropriately insulating is among the most vital things that a homeowner can do to enhance the general energy efficiency of his or her home. The United States Department of Energy approximates that homeowners’ energy usage for artificially cooling and heating their homes accounts for around 50% of total energy use. Investing in more efficient heating and cooling technologies is one way to minimize your cooling and heating bills. Nonetheless, insufficient insulation in your roof, foundation, or walls will raise your energy usage, the type of heating and cooling notwithstanding.

Most homes across the country use mats or batts of soft insulation such as cellulose, natural sheep wool, and fiberglass insulation. Rigid foam insulation in building and construction is a comparatively new technology. It is easy to install, long-lasting and can improve the energy efficiency of even the leakiest homes.

What is rigid board insulation?

Rigid board insulation is made from dense, rugged sheets of certain types of foam. The commonly used foam products are polyiso, polyurethane, or polystyrene. These types of foams are "closed-cell" due to their chemical structure, instead of most insulation products that are open cells. 

Closed-cell insulation products such as the rigid board are usually more durable and robust. Moreover, they possess a higher R-value. 

Using rigid board insulation

Since rigid foam boards come as solid sheets, many homeowners can self-install them in strategic areas around their homes. After fastening the foam boards to the walls, place furring strips over the boards. These strips give a safe base for completing your basement using bamboo plywood, drywall, or other material. For structures with concrete walls in their basements, rigid board insulation will be more durable, particularly in comparison to cellulose or fiberglass insulation. 

Rigid foam board insulation is ideal for other home areas such as attics, foundation walls, roofs, and regular walls since they are moisture resistant. Nonetheless, this insulation option is generally recommended for below-grade applications like basements or external insulation.

The thickness of rigid insulation board 

Rigid foam insulation board comes in standard thicknesses of a half-inch to two inches. Homes situated in extreme climates can order thicknesses of at most six inches directly from some manufacturers. All in all, the thicker the board, the better the insulation abilities. 

Where to use rigid board Insulation

Rigid foam insulation boards can be used practically everywhere that insulation is required in homes. These boards can be used on basements, foundations, attics, regular walls, and roofs. When used above-grade, foam board insulation reduces thermal bridging, improving the home’s energy efficiency. On below-grade basements, a rigid board improves insulation while preventing moisture leaks.

Rigid board prepared from polyisocyanurate generally provides the most remarkable insulation capacity. Luckily, most rigid foam board insulation made using polyiso does not contain brominated flame-retardant chemicals, as these could be hazardous when inhaled. Nonetheless, this type of foam absorbs water, thus unsuitable for below-grade applications.

The durability of rigid board insulation 

Due to its water resistance and firmness, rigid board insulation can generally last over a century. 

The appropriate installation is key to ensuring the durability of this product. For instance, if you install a polyiso rigid board in the foundation, moister would quickly ruin the product, the same way it would ruin fiberglass batt or cellulose insulation.

Insulation is crucial to the comfort, efficiency and safety of homes, so it’s important to make sure it’s kept in the best condition possible. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace old insulation with newer material, but it’s not always clear when insulation truly needs to be replaced. Keep reading to learn about some of the biggest reasons to remove insulation from your home in Northern California.

Should I remove my insulation?

A lot of homeowners wonder how to determine when it’s time to remove old insulation and replace it with new insulation. While there isn’t a single clear answer to this question, there are some factors homeowners can keep in mind to determine when replacement might be necessary. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether it’s time for insulation replacement:

• Pests: No matter how hard homeowners try to keep pests out, some insects and rodents still make their way into homes. Insulation is a very popular nesting material for pests, since it provides shelter, warmth and a great hiding spot where rodents and insects can go undetected for many months. Unfortunately, pests can cause serious damage to insulation by tearing it apart, reducing its efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, the waste pests leave behind can spread disease and pose some health risks. If you’ve dealt with pests in your insulation, it’s a good idea to remove it and replace it with new material.
• Water damage: If you have a leaky roof or you’ve dealt with a plumbing issue recently, chances are, some of your insulation might have been damaged by water. Water damage can lead to a lot of problems. Insulation that’s been affected by water damage often develops mold and mildew, which can spread to other building materials and lead to respiratory irritation and allergic reactions. Water damage can also break down insulation and take a toll on its performance and efficiency, causing monthly energy costs to go up and HVAC performance to go down.
• Outdated insulation: One of the best reasons to remove insulation from your home in Northern California is because it’s become old or outdated. If your insulation hasn’t been replaced since your house was built, it might be time to replace it with new insulation. This is especially important if your insulation is many decades old and is made of a harmful substance like asbestos. Consult with an insulation technician to find out if replacing your old insulation is a good idea based on its age and condition.

Insulation removal and replacement

At Ace Insulation Inc., we know how beneficial insulation removal and replacement can be, and we are here to provide high-quality services to our customers. No matter what kind of insulation you’re looking for, our team has the experience and resources necessary to tackle your project with a high degree of skill, expertise and attention to detail. Get started with a quote for our installation services and find out more about what we have to offer by giving our team a call today.

Have your energy bills gone dramatically up as the weather gets hotter—or colder? That’s a big sign that your home isn’t insulated properly, which forces your HVAC system to work overtime. If your parents ever told you to close the fridge because they weren’t planning on air conditioning the entire neighborhood, you know the general idea.

Insulation is the best way to prevent heat transfer—the scientific phenomenon where hot air and cold air will meet and eventually even out. Don’t let heat transfer keep you from staying cool in the long, hot Northern California summers or the chilly winters.

Keeping your insulation up to date is the best way to save on your energy bills. Here’s how to tell if your home needs an upgrade and how to fix poor housing insulation in Northern California:

• Touch your walls: When the weather starts dipping into the lower temperatures, go around your home and touch the walls. If they are much colder than the room temperature, or if they feel moist, you might have a problem. As the warm air in your home makes contact with the cold wall, the air will get cooler. This makes your heater work overtime. The best way to handle this is to have good insulation.
• Look for holes: Is air leaking out of holes in your exterior wall? We all know it’s frustrating when one of the kids bashes a hole in the siding with their bike, but it also hurts your energy bills. Cold or warm air is leaking out into the outdoors—so you really are air conditioning the entire neighborhood.
• Check for signs of bugs or mice: Pests can be a real problem, so if you’ve had a bug or rodent problem in the last few years, it’s worth getting your insulation checked out. They can eat or chew through all of your carefully-placed insulation.
• Look for moisture: If you notice moisture and condensation around your pipes, chances are, they need to be insulated. Talk to an insulation contractor about your concerns.
• Feel the drafts: When you walk around your home, take note if you feel any drafts coming from a certain area. It might be that the warm air is escaping and the cold air is coming in to help fill that gap—either way, it means an insulation problem.
• Check for mold: If you’ve got mold, there’s a big likelihood it’s due to an insulation problem. If certain types of insulation are exposed to moisture, they are likely to develop mold.
• Think about your insulation’s age: Finally, if your insulation was last updated sometime before you moved in 15 years ago, it’s time to give it an upgrade. This is a job for insulation professionals, rather than a DIY project, but you’ll be amazed at the difference once it’s installed.

If you’re seeing any of the signs of poor insulation in Northern California, make sure to call Ace Insulation Inc. We install a range of insulation types, including spray foam insulation. We’ll work with you to identify where your home is leaking energy and what can be done to help. Call today to get started.

You want your home to stay cool, but what if your insulation is a fire hazard? Most of us don’t consider that the very stuff that’s supposed to protect our home from the elements could actually contribute to its destruction—but it’s true. Certain types of old or improperly installed insulation can present a very real danger to your home and its residents. Some insulation materials can contribute to the spread of a fire, while others will release toxic gases inside your home. It’s important to ensure that your insulation has been properly installed and is safe for your home—especially because California and Nevada have been suffering severe wildfire seasons recently, with no end in sight.

When you need superior insulation service in Northern California, be sure to call Ace Insulation Inc. We can quickly and expertly replace your old insulation with something that’s sure to keep your family safe. Here’s what to look for when you consider replacing your insulation:

• Cellulose insulation: Cellulose insulation is one of the most popular types of insulation in use today, but it can present a fire risk. It’s made of organic material such as paper, wood, cork and cotton. When it’s dry, it is combustible, but it can smolder even when it’s damp. The materials are often treated with fire-retardant chemicals, but that protection can break down over time, leaving your home unprotected.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is made of silicon dioxide, among other materials. While it is quite effective in insulating a home, it is also prone to melting during a fire. When the insulation melts, it releases toxic gases into the air (including inside the home).
• Mineral wool insulation: Mineral wool insulation (also known as rock wool or slag wool insulation) actually provides a significant amount of fire protection. It’s resistant to temperatures in excess of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and can help stop the spread of fire from room to room. Ace Insulation Inc. offers Roxul batt insulation, and we particularly recommend it for customers who live in fire-prone areas.
• Spray foam: Spray foam is excellent for providing insulation—it’s quick and easy to install, offering superior moisture barriers and a strong R-value. However, because it’s plasticized, it is prone to combustion when fire is involved. It can also release toxic gases into the air and home when exposed to fire.

If you’re concerned about the insulation in your home, we can help. Give us a call to find out your next steps.

Insulation service in Northern California

If you have old insulation that was improperly installed or you want to remove and replace it with something safer and more effective, call Ace Insulation Inc. Since 2011, we have been serving the Northern California area, removing, replacing and installing insulation in homes across the region. Our goal is to do the job fully, the right way and the first time, so that you enjoy the benefits of saving money on utilities and protecting your home from fire hazards. Call us today to get a quote on replacing your old insulation.

There are a few reasons why you might need the services of an insulation company. At the top of the list is putting up the walls of your new home and needing proper insulation materials, followed by replacing the existing insulation in an older home. In the case of commercial or industrial buildings, sometimes an insulation upgrade is necessary to meet code requirements. Whatever your reason for investing in new insulation, be sure you hire the right insulation installation contractor for your project.

Asking family and friends for recommendations is a good move, and so is taking to the internet to review customer feedback, company social media pages and business websites. Before hiring a company for insulation service in Northern California, perhaps the most important step is to make sure they possess the following qualities:

• Experience: Although you won’t see the insulation materials once installation is complete, you do want peace of mind that all is well behind your sealed-up walls. A company with ample experience and a proven track record of success shines bright over a contractor with a questionable history. Don’t forget to ask about the experience of the installer assigned to your project.
• Local business status: If you want to support your community, seriously consider hiring a local insulation company. Find one that’s been providing insulation services to neighboring homes and businesses for years, but still check on their credentials and experience to ensure they are the right choice for your needs.
• Reputation: A stellar business reputation puts minds at ease. Companies with good reputations will have positive feedback plastered all over the internet and be in good standing on the Better Business Bureau’s website. A company with a good reputation will also happily provide some references without hesitation.
• Customer service: You’re spending your hard-earned money on a product and service that you need, so the last thing you should have to endure is bad customer service. If an insulation company has a reputation for providing terrible customer service, even if their prices look good, cross them off your list of potential hires.
• Communication: Communication is key, especially when it comes to comfort and safety. The best company for you will promptly return your calls and emails, answer all your questions and inform you right away of important changes in scheduling or pricing. The wrong company is one that takes a long time to get back to you or goes dark for no apparent reason.
• Offers a variety of services: Does the company offer the type of service you need? For example, you wouldn’t want to hire a company that only specializes in commercial building insulation when what you need is insulation for your home. They may say they can do it, but you’re better off finding an installer that works in homes on a regular basis.

Ace Insulation Inc. is the team to call for home or business insulation service in Northern California. Our technicians are dedicated to your indoor comfort and take pride in all the work they do. Call us today to schedule a job!