Whether you’re building a brand-new home in Northern California or you need to install new insulation in your current home, you’ll need to decide what type of insulation material is best for your needs. While fiberglass has been the standard for decades, spray foam is gaining in popularity as a highly effective thermal barrier. Read on to gain a basic understanding of the differences of fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation and discover which material you should use for your home.
What are the differences between the materials?
Fiberglass and spray foam insulation are very different materials. Fiberglass insulation is composed of delicate fibers of recycled materials, including melted glass. The fibers are held together with an adhesive backing, like aluminum foil or paper, that resists moisture and vapor. It comes in either batt form, which almost looks like a block of insulation, or loose fill.
Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, is a liquid chemical that comes out of a spray can. It expands immediately as it’s applied, forming an airtight seal over cracks and any other voids. It creates both a thermal and vapor barrier all at once.
Which option resists airflow the best?
An insulation’s airflow resistance is measured in terms of its R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at keeping cold and hot air from seeping into your home. In general, spray foam has a higher R-value when compared to fiberglass insulation. Closed cell spray foam insulation is a particularly effective thermal barrier, with R-values reaching up to 7.0.
Fiberglass insulation can have a high R-value as well when installed by a professional technician. High-density fiberglass options have R-values as high as 4.3, which is generally enough to keep a home in Northern California comfortable during every season. You can also bolster your insulation by having the fiberglass batts stacked on top of each other, whereas you are limited in the number of spray foam layers you can apply in one area.
Which option resists moisture the best?
Moisture resistance is one area where fiberglass and spray foam perform equally well. Either option will give you a good moisture barrier, which is especially important in an area like an attic. Luckily, you won’t see mold or mildew growing on either type of insulation.
Which option is easiest to install?
The process of installation is one of the key differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation. If you have a wide-open attic with no obstructions, fiberglass batts are the easiest and the cheapest option. For attics with multiple obstructions, spray foam can be installed quickly, but it’s also more expensive.
Knowing the differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation can help you select the best option for your Northern California home. No matter which option you choose, professional installation by an experienced technician ensures that your property is completely sealed from the air outside. Contact Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about the differences between these materials and how we can help you keep your home comfortably insulated all year long.
There are many ways to keep your house in top shape—regular maintenance of appliances and a commitment to landscaping are just a few. One thing that can really help your home’s energy efficiency and resale value, though, is staying on top of its insulation needs. Insulation is one of the easiest ways to ensure your home’s HVAC system is working as it should and that your loved ones are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Their comfort is paramount, and your insulation choice is a big part of that. With this in mind, there are a few things you’ll want to understand about foam and fiberglass insulation in Northern California.
What is fiberglass insulation?
Those traditional pink rolls are probably what many people picture when they think of fiberglass insulation, but it also comes as blown-in loose fill (which is less common). Those large pink rolls of fiberglass insulation in Northern California are called “batts,” and they can cover a lot of space very easily.
However, you’ll want to work with a professional company like Ace Insulation Inc., because these need to be precision-cut to get around obstacles in your home (picture the ductwork in your attic, for example). If these are cut too short, you’ll have gaps that air can easily pass through, while if you cut them too long, the insulation piles and has irregular compression all around—also bad news for your heating and cooling bills!
What is spray foam insulation?
The other popular product that we tend to install the most is spray foam insulation in Northern California. It comes out of spray cans as a liquid, but quickly expands to cover any cracks or openings. It can be “open cell,” which is softer and more pliable because the “cells” of air made by the expanding foam are not fully enclosed, or “closed cell,” which is more rigid because it doesn’t allow any air into its cells at all. As one might guess, closed cell is generally the better insulator.
Spray foam insulation is a great choice for many business owners and homeowners, but it’s a relatively new product that is costly to manufacture and still has a heavier price tag than some people are willing to pay.
The verdict
Spray foam insulation is going to give you an efficiency that really can’t be matched by fiberglass insulation in Northern California, but you’re likely going to pay for that level of quality. On the other hand, fiberglass insulation can last for an extremely long time—it’s not uncommon for this traditional type to last for a century in many homes we work in. Additionally, foam insulation has the drawback of sometimes shrinking over time, meaning it could require occasional touch-up jobs to make sure its coverage is maxed out.
In general, either insulation product has its strengths and weaknesses. At Ace Insulation Inc., we install both in many homes and businesses each year, and a lot of it comes down to what a property owner is looking for and what they’re comfortable spending. Call us today and let’s make a plan together!
Insulation is crucial for a home’s comfort levels and energy efficiency, but a lot of homes don’t have sufficient insulation. Whether your home has worn and outdated insulation or there are gaps in your insulation, it’s important to invest in upgrades as soon as possible to prevent energy waste and keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of blown-in vs. spray foam insulation in Northern California to make your decision as easy and straightforward as possible.
Blown-in insulation
Blown-in insulation is a material made of fiberglass or cellulose that’s blown into cavities in walls to fill in gaps in insulation. This insulation is ideal for attic spaces with nooks and crannies that are difficult to insulate with fiberglass batting due to their size and shape. Cellulose blown-in insulation is the most affordable option because it is made from recycled materials. Once installed, blown-in insulation can last for up to 25 years while providing very reliable performance.
Spray foam insulation
Spray foam insulation is typically made of polyurethane that’s applied as a foam and expands and hardens as a solid to create airtight seals in wall gaps—especially in attics. Because spray foam insulation expands after it’s applied, it automatically conforms to the precise shape and dimensions of the space in which it’s being installed. Depending on the material being used, spray foam insulation can last for up to 80 years. Because this type of insulation creates such a strong seal, it’s one of the most effective options when it comes to blocking drafts and minimizing thermal heat transfer in attic spaces.
Choosing the right option
There are a few key factors to weigh when choosing between blown-in vs. spray foam insulation in Northern California:
Price: In many cases, spray foam insulation and blown-in insulation are comparable in price. However, it really depends on the specific type of insulation used. Blown-in insulation made from recycled materials tends to be much more affordable than fiberglass blown-in insulation. To determine the cost of your insulation project, it’s best to get a quote from a professional technician.
Longevity: Spray foam insulation typically lasts much longer than blown-in insulation, but the longevity of your insulation can vary significantly depending on the specifics of the installation process, the material and your property. For the best longevity from your insulation, make sure to work with a professional insulation contractor.
Versatility: Both spray foam insulation and blown-in insulation are versatile and can be shaped to fill virtually any space or gap in your home. In some cases, spray foam insulation can cause problems with moisture damage and mold and mildew growth, so it’s important to get a professional opinion first.
Blown-in vs. spray foam insulation
At Ace Insulation Inc, we know how important it is to choose the right insulation for your needs, and we are here to make sure you get the most out of your investment in home insulation. Whether you need help choosing between blown-in vs. spray foam insulation in Northern California for your attic or you need comprehensive insulation for home construction or renovation, we are here to help you. Give us a call to find out more about what we have to offer and to request a quote for our services.
Fall has arrived, which means the weather is going to be getting progressively cooler over the next couple months, bringing with it more wind and rain. If you want to make sure you’re able to stay comfortable throughout the changing of the seasons, especially once winter arrives, then you should consider making some upgrades to the insulation in your home as needed.
If you intend to upgrade your home’s insulation, then you can do no better than spray foam insulation. This is the best solution on the market to stop drafts and to create a more effective seal, keeping your warm air in your home where you want it. Spray foam insulation will expand across a surface area as soon as you spray it, filling up even tiny cracks and gaps that you might not otherwise be able to cover with other traditional types of insulation.
Here are just a few examples of some of the biggest benefits associated with working with a spray foam insulation contractor in northern California to get new insulation in your home:
Energy savings: Because spray foam insulation is so highly effective, it stands to save you a significant amount of energy, allowing you to cut down how much money you’re paying each month on your bills. Depending on the effectiveness of your previous insulation solutions, you may be able to save 50 percent or more on your energy bills by investing in spray foam insulation.
Airtight: One of the reasons spray foam insulation is so highly effective is that it creates a truly airtight barrier against the outside world. Air leaks through small cracks and holes are the biggest reason for air loss and the resulting high energy bills. Because spray foam insulation seals them up, you’ll find that your HVAC doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to regulate the temperature in your home at your desired levels.
Moisture barrier: Holes and cracks found in your walls aren’t just a way for air to transfer into and out of your home. It’s also a spot where water and moisture could potentially get in. Because spray foam insulation is impermeable to water, you don’t have to worry about water getting through those cracks and into your home. If flooding does occur in a specific area, spray foam insulation won’t soak up the water, unlike natural fiber insulation. This also makes it an effective mold deterrent—if it’s not soaking up any moisture, you don’t have to worry about mold or mildew forming in it.
Long lasting: Spray foam insulation will last for decades without losing any of its high-quality performance. This is just another way you can save money over time with spray foam, because it lasts longer than other types of insulation.
If you’re interested in learning more about why you should consider installing spray foam insulation in your home this fall, reach out to Ace Insulation Inc. to speak with an experienced spray foam insulation contractor in northern California today. We look forward to assisting you soon!
Keeping cool in Northern California’s sweltering summer months is more of a science than anything else. We know when to run the AC, when to go for a swim and when to re-evaluate our homes’ insulation. Keeping cool in these parts takes more than a well-maintained air conditioning unit—it also means having the right insulation within the walls of your home to preserve that precious cool air while keeping the heat at bay. With summers seeming to be getting hotter every year, isn’t it time you made sure your insulation is pulling its weight?
If you are wondering how spray foam insulation in Northern California works to keep your home cool during the hot summer months, here’s what you need to know.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam is exactly what it sounds like: it’s an expanding foam that is literally sprayed into the areas in need of insulation. Unlike more traditional insulation, like rollout fiberglass or blown-in insulation, foam works by completely expanding into the space in which it’s applied. For example, if a professional were to use this foam behind drywall, they’d shoot the foam directly into the space, allow it to expand and trim off any excess before placing the drywall.
How spray foam helps strengthen the building envelope
Your home is basically a series of spaces separated from the outside world. Places like your attic and basement may be inside the house, but they don’t necessarily share the same comforts as, say, your living room. Insulation helps to create barriers within the larger space to effectively save money while making your home as comfortable as possible. Any professional insulation expert will tell you that a home can have leaks and gaps, regardless of its age.
Why you should seal off crawlspaces
Speaking of leaks, crawlspaces are one prime example of a commonly overlooked area that could be costing you money every year on heating and cooling. Sealing these areas can have multiple benefits, not the least of which is a cooler home in the summer. Additionally, pests often take up residence in these spaces and will stop at nothing to make themselves at home. Secondly, left unchecked, they can be a haven for moisture and rot. Sealing them up with foam insulation takes care of all of these problems.
The deal with spray foam and ventilation
If you’ve ever had work done on the vents in your attic with blown-in insulation, then you’ve likely had the headache of cleaning up nasty dust long after the work was done. With spray foam, you have none of that mess to worry about. The foam encases the vents and helps to keep cold air cold and hot air hot as it travels through your HVAC system. If repairs are ever needed, the foam is easy to get through and even easier to replace.
Call the team at Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about the benefits of installing spray foam insulation in your Northern California home, or to schedule any other insulation service.
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