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 Whether your home has worn and outdated insulation or there are gaps in your insulation, it’s important to invest in upgrades as soon as possible to prevent energy waste and keep your home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.
Insulation is essential when it comes to protecting homes from the elements and keeping families comfortable. Unfortunately, a lot of homes are not insulated properly or have insulation that’s old, worn down and not performing the way that it should. Whether you’re upgrading an older home or you’re building a new home altogether, you need to select the appropriate insulation material. Depending on the specifics of your project, you should consider spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA. Read on to find out more about spray foam insulation so that you can determine whether it’s the right option for your specific project.
Spray foam insulation basics
Spray foam insulation is a type of insulation that’s applied as a liquid to a surface, at which point it expands and hardens to create a solid, airtight barrier that completely fills the surfaces and cavities where it is applied. Spray foam insulation is popular for use around electrical outlets, in crawl spaces, between rim joists, around windows and doors and in attics. Unlike other fibrous types of insulation, spray foam insulation will remain rigid and maintain its shape and won’t sag or settle over time. Because of that, spray foam insulation can deliver a consistent level of efficiency and effectiveness for years.
Benefits and considerations
Spray foam insulation is popular because of how effectively it restricts airflow between interior walls and the exterior of a home. Other types of insulation become less effective when there is airflow coming from the outside, but spray foam insulation locks in indoor temperatures by creating a rigid barrier that isn’t susceptible to wind beating against the exterior of the home.
Using spray foam insulation can help reduce energy bills significantly and give homeowners much more control over the temperature in their home. Even applying spray foam insulation in a few areas of a home can make a difference when it comes to minimizing energy loss and maximizing the efficiency of HVAC systems. Because of how effective spray foam insulation is, installing it in attics and other areas can even improve the overall value of a home.
There are a lot of great benefits that come with using spray foam insulation; however, it’s important to keep in mind that spray foam insulation is not ideal for every project or home. Depending on the age of your home, spray foam insulation may contribute to increased moisture accumulation and potential water damage. Because spray foam insulation isn’t always the right choice, you should always consult with an insulation contractor before you select a type of insulation for your project.
Learn more about spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA
You can find out more about spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA by reaching out to the team at Ace Insulation Inc. today. Since 2011, we have been proud to provide our customers with comprehensive insulation services, including installation of a wide variety of different insulation materials. As a locally owned and operated company, we are dedicated to the satisfaction of our customers and the quality of our workmanship. You can find out more about everything that we have to offer by giving our team a call today.
You’re just settling in for a warm winter’s night, relaxing on the couch with your favorite warm drink and Netflix series, when you suddenly feel a chill. Despite your blanket and warm drink, you definitely feel as if a draft is wafting through your home. You check the windows, the doors and the thermostat, but everything seems to be in order. Your home should be warm and toasty, but have you checked your insulation lately?
If your home’s insulation isn’t in good order, it may be the reason why your blanket and hot drink aren’t enough to keep you warm this winter. Replacing your home’s insulation with spray foam insulation has many benefits, including a warmer, more comfortable home. Want to know more? Here’s how spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA can help make your winter more comfortable.
Consistent indoor temperature
One of the main complaints regarding old insulation is that it allows cold air to seep into your home, which often creates cold pockets (areas that feel cooler than the rest of your home) throughout your house. Cold pockets are what makes you think someone left a door or window open. If you want to enjoy a consistent indoor temperature throughout your home, spray foam insulation can help. Spray foam offers superior insulation quality, which keeps the cold air out and the warm air in.
Lower your energy bill
Traditional forms of insulation allow warm air to escape, which means your heating system needs to work harder to keep your home warm. Spray foam insulation helps take some of the pressure off of your heating system, which in turn means your system can run more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill.
Keep moisture out
While mold growth is not a major concern in the winter, it certainly can be in the warmer and humid months. Spray foam insulation helps keep moisture out of your home, which helps reduce the risk of mold and mildew all year round. If you have any leaks in your roof, attic or walls, spray foam helps create an airtight seal, so you can know that your home will stay dry.
Reduce noise
If you live on a busy street, near a school or simply have noisy neighbors, spray foam can help reduce the amount of outdoor noise that enters your home. Spray foam also reduces noise between rooms in your home, which means that you won’t have to worry about waking up your partner in the morning or disturbing sleeping children at night.
If you are interested in improving your indoor comfort, reducing your energy bill and keeping noise and moisture out of your home this winter, then you should consider investing in spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA. For spray foam insulation and all your other insulation needs, be sure to call Ace Insulation Inc. We offer fast, affordable, high-quality work in Petaluma and all surrounding areas. Call us today for your free consultation—we look forward to working with you soon!
Areas Served
Proudly providing residential and commercial insulation installation to Petaluma, CA and the surrounding areas including:
Certificate of Approved Applicator from SWD, approved to install quik-shield polyurethane foam and coating products in residential and commercial applications according to the standards and guidelines as set forth by SWD Urethane