By Most of the home and building owners are aware of how proper insulation can effectively cut back on their energy costs and proliferate overall comfort level of the property. However, when it comes to deciding which form of insulation is best, it can be difficult to decide without proper information.
Spray Foam vs. Fibreglass
Whether you are looking to insulate a new home or hoping to update the insulation in your current home, it is worth learning a little bit more about your options. The two major types of insulation are spray foam and fibreglass. Both the types can be developed to contain the same R-value, which stands for the ability to resist heat flow. R-value is also how insulation is measured.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is ideal for hard to reach places and is mainly used in attics, basements, high and low ceilings and crawl spaces. It’s a liquid that contains a polymer and is combined with foaming agent. Once it is applied, it’ll expand and harden into a solid form, while filling all space and air gaps.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass insulation is made from recycled glass and melting sand. It comes in long strips or pre-cut rectangles. While it is a cheaper option and can be installed as a DIY project, it will leave gaps around things like pipes. It will not be able to stand the test of time either while it deteriorates over the years. It means that your building will most definitely require another insulation upgrade in the future.
Regardless of whether you opt for fibreglass insulation or spray foam, an updated insulation system will ensure you are cutting back on energy cost. The majority of building contractors focus their insulation efforts on walls and ceilings, leaving floors and basement walls completely uninsulated. However, a professional contract will be able to explain that heat is transferred from the inside of a building to the outside in a range of directions i.e. up and down and side to side. It means that heat does not rise, only the hot air rises because of relative densities. Therefore, a building is supposed to be insulated from all sides in order to confirm that it is properly retaining your home’s heat. It is possible to lose 40% of your home’s heat just from uninsulated floors.
In addition to significantly helping to reduce your energy cost, a better insulation system will increase a home’s comfort level. Effective insulation will reduce condensation that rests on roofs and ceilings which means your home will be drier and more comfortable, eliminating drafts as well as the risk of mold. Insulation will also reduce the instances of exterior sound travelling into your home like construction noises, traffic and wind. You must find out all the ways with which an insulation system can enhance your quality of living and the value of your home.
Are air sealing and weather stripping important in the process of insulation?
Yes, air loss is big aspect in energy loss. Let’s say that you have 1/4 inch gap around a door, so the energy loss is the same as having a 1 foot square hole in your wall and repairing these areas can add up to large savings.
What if someone falls or puts a hole in my ceiling?
I wish I could say this would never happen, but things sometimes do happen. The professionals do this every day and this helps with being safe. Hiring a good company means to have less than 1% accidents or damage rate and this is the last thing any insulation expert would want to happen ever. But if this does happen, the professional companies are fully covered with workers compensation as well as general liability insurance and will fully cover any repair damage in a fast manner.
Is there a lot of mess when spraying for attic insulation?
No, the experts use top quality machines that stay on their truck and they bring in a small 3″ round air-tight hose that pumps the material from the truck into the attic, the material they use has little dust. At most a few small pieces may fall by the access, and they will clean that and anything else. The goal is to leave your house as clean as they found it and you will not have to worry about any mess.
How long does it take to insulate a house?
In most homes, less than a day deepening on the amount of work being done for the reason that the process is fast and it lets you get back to your normal life without the stress of a long ongoing home improvement project.
Do I need to pay anything up front before the attic insulation company starts the work?
Well, there is no hard and fast rule in this regard. In general, the attic insulation companies do not take up front money and only collect when the job is complete and you are satisfied.
Can I do the insulation myself and save money?
Yes, you can do this yourself, but the experts have found that most people don’t save any money in making this effort and eventually lose instead. The experts have already done it many times and there is no chance of wasting the material. The experts have training to know the right and wrong way to insulate and to be safe. It can be very dangerous if this is not what you do every day. Therefore, it is better to hire a pro to have the peace of mind. You can learn more here on this subject.
