Insulation is a key factor in the general comfort of your home. In Missouri, we are fortunate enough to enjoy the four seasons at their peak. In winter, we encounter freezing temperatures and snow while in the summer we have days when temperatures can be triple-digits. With such broad variations in temperatures throughout the year, it is essential that the insulation of your home is on the level to guarantee the comfort of your home all year long. A lot of people don’t recognize that insulation is equally essential in winter as it does during the winter.
The term “insulation” is that can be used to describe a broad range of items that help reduce heat loss or gain through the creation of the ability to create a barrier between regions that have a large variation in temperatures. One example could be an insulated winter coat that shields the body against the frigid temperatures within it, or a blanket one can put on to stay warm during the cold winter nights. Insulation for your home safeguards critical areas of your house, such as your hot water pipes as well as the HVAC unit from freezing during the winter, and it also holds in chilled air in your home to keep it cool during the summer.
There are various kinds of insulation and all have their advantages and disadvantages. The kinds of insulation that are found in homes throughout Missouri are:
Fiberglass insulation is believed as the commonly used kind of insulation found in homes. The insulation made of fiberglass reduces heat transfer because it is constructed of fine glass strands that are interwoven inside the material used for insulation. If installed correctly and in a safe manner fiberglass insulation is extremely efficient. It is not flammable and has a high R-value. If you’re looking for an inexpensive type of insulation that is non-flammable, fiberglass is the method to choose.
Mineral wool comes in a variety of different forms, such as:
Mineral wool is found as batts or loose-fill materials. It is generally not fireproof which could make it susceptible to damage in places in which there is a lot of heat. It is frequently utilized to complement other types of insulation. It can be extremely effective in the insulation of larger areas of the Missouri home.
Cellulose insulation is believed to be among the most environmentally friendly types of insulation available currently available. It is constructed from a majority of recycled materials and is available in a loose package. Recent research on insulations has discovered that cellulose insulation could actually help in reducing the damage caused by fire. As cellulose insulations are small, it has very little or no oxygen in it, which can help it stop fires from spreading. Cellulose insulation is perfect to retrofit areas of your house and serves as excellent alternative insulation in addition to fiberglass spray foam or mineral wool.
Polyurethane foam, also known as spray foam is a great insulation material with an incredible R-value. Serving as both an air barrier and a moisture barrier, there isn’t a better choice to ensure your home is comfortable all throughout the year. It is made on the spot and sprayed on the area you want. Then, it expands to fill every crevice or crack it comes across. Spray foam is impervious to water and also makes it unscented and resistant to mold when exposed to excessive water.
The cost for installing insulation is different and is largely dependent on the kind of insulation you pick. If you decide to go with spray foam insulation or blown-in or batts, the price associated with your installation will differ. The location you install the insulation can also impact the cost that your undertaking will cost. The majority of insulation is installed or retrofitted into garages, attics as well as walls, crawlspaces, and basements. For more details on pricing for insulation, click here.
How much insulation you need is determined by the kind of insulation with the R-value you choose to use. In the case of loose-fiber insulation, such as cellulose, you can multiply the insulation’s R-value by 3.7 to determine the amount in inches required. For fiberglass insulation, multiply its R-value by 3.2 to calculate the depth required.
The weather in Missouri can be quite varied! One day it might be sunny and 70 degrees and the next day it could be 20 degrees. It is the US Department of Energy has determined a recommended R-value to be used for various climates and heat sources. Missouri has a higher R-value than areas that do not share our cold winters like Phoenix as well as San Diego.
If you reside in Missouri and you are using electric heat, it’s recommended to install R-49 for your attic, R-22 on your walls as well as R-19 in your basement, and R-25 on your flooring.
If you utilize natural gas for heating your home, it’s recommended to install R-49 in your attic. R-18 on your walls and basement, R-11 and R-25 for your flooring.
ArmorThane Installs Spray Foam Insulation in attics, walls, as well as floors of small-scale businesses in the Front Range and Mountain towns. The most common cause of energy loss in homes is insufficient insulation. Insulating the walls or attic will to keep your home cool in the summer and warm during the winter. You’ll lower your energy bills as well as your house will be more comfortable due to an even temperature across the home.
There are a variety of areas within your house where ArmnorThane could retrofit, or even install new insulation. It is essential to keep in your mind that no two houses are the same. Our experts will carefully inspect your home to find areas where you’re losing energy and make suggestions for new insulation according to the areas that require attention.
ArmorThane will typically apply insulation to the following areas inside homes:
The attic space is the space that is above and below the roof. It’s usually dark and dirty, and unless your home was constructed in the late 2000s or later the insulation is not up to scratch. There are various kinds of insulation that can be used in attics. ArmorThane employs equipment that is mounted on trailers, which mixes the polyurethane two-component spray foam and then deploys it into the attic. Then, we distribute it evenly across the entire area, achieving the R-value of a specified amount.
The meaning of”R-value” (resistance measurement of insulation) refers to the amount of heat is able to move through it. The higher the value is, the more heat you are able to retain at home in winter and how much heat you can keep during summer. Attic R-values can be measured in inches. 1 inch in fiberglass will have an R-value of 2.7 and 1 of cellulose has an R-value of 2.9. The current R-value codes range from R38 to R60 for the majority of attic areas.
Walls that are exterior are insulated. interior walls aren’t. If exterior walls are constructed without insulation or have been under-insulated they must be addressed. There are many ways to insulate an existing wall, however, they support one.
They utilize a four-hole saw, and we cut through each wall bay vertically (from to the interior) each 16”, in between the 8” walls and also in the middle of the 16 inches of the cavity. This allows us to utilize the trailer-mounted machine with PSI air pressure, and a 2” fill hose inside two-by-6 wall cavities to fill the wall cavity with fiberglass due to two reasons. They do not want air to move within the wall, which means the insulation is firmly packed within walls. The current code for 2×4 walls above grade is R13. two-by-6 walls have R19.
Every home requires the insulation of the crawlspace. The insulation for crawl spaces is usually fitted by fitting the edges of the joists and walls with thermal barriers. Insulate crawl spaces may seem contrary to common sense. The conventional wisdom suggests that the ceiling of your crawlspace is the one to are insulating, however in reality it’s not the first spot you’ll want to place insulation. Insulate outside walls of concrete as well as the rim joists allows warm air to flow easily across the floor and keep it in the crawl space. If conditioned air escapes through the crawlspace, you’ll be unable to maintain energy levels and ease of living in the room above.
The decision to insulate your garage depends on the purpose you intend to use it for. In the event that your garage is connected to your house, or under a completed space, or you utilize it for work, you might think about insulation. The insulation of the walls that surround your garage could improve the temperature of the garage and in the rooms attached to it. Since many garages aren’t properly insulated, many rooms that are connected to them, are deprived of heated air all through the season.
Basements can be dark and damp in comparison to other areas of the house. Today, a lot of people in Missouri are turning their basements into entertainment spaces as well as living spaces. Many people prefer a comfy and warm area when watching a major game, or hosting an event for a party. The addition of insulation or upgrading your basement walls could assist in this. Basements are often an important source for energy loss to your home. Repair this problem and then contact ArmorThane today to inquire for more information about the services they offer for basement insulation services..
The R-value definition is the resistance value of insulation with respect to the amount of heat that can be transferred through it. The higher the value is the higher the amount of warmth you are able to maintain in your home throughout the winter. And the amount of heat you could keep in during the summer. Attic R-values are measured in the inch. 1″ in fiberglass will have an R-value of 2.7 and 1 of cellulose has the R-value of 2.8. The codes for R-values currently range between R38 and R60 for the majority of attic areas. The current code for 2×4 walls above grade is R13. 2×6 walls are coded as R19. In simple terms, the greater the R-value of insulation greater the impact on heat transfer. has on heat transfer.
If you are using loose fiber insulation, such as cellulose you need to multiply the insulation’s R-value by 3.7 to determine the depth in inches required. For fiberglass insulation, multiply its R-value by 3.2 to determine the amount required.
The weather in Missouri is extremely fickle! One day it might be sunny and 70 degrees and the next day it could be 20 degrees. It is the US Department of Energy has established a suggested R-value for various climates and heat source. Missouri has a higher R-value than other cities that are warmer across the country.
At ArmorThane they have been recognized as a “Top Gun Rebate Producer” for the past four years due to their dedication to insulation in the US. They are a company that provides insulation services throughout the world. In contrast to other insulation companies, they do not work with third-party insulation contractors.
They are a BPI as well as a LEED Certified energy company that adheres to the highest standards in their service to homeowners throughout all of the US and the world. They are confident that they will adhere to these high standards to serve you and your home’s insulation requirements. Contact them today.
Each kind of insulation (foam or cellulose, as well as fiberglass) comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. Each performs differently according to the use. At REenergizeCO we aren’t specialized in just one type of insulation. We’re a seasoned Denver contractor. We provide our customers with options and will discuss the benefits and drawbacks each kind of insulation comes with. The bottom line is we want you feel comfortable at home, and we’ll work hard to offer you insulation that allows you to be comfortable.
Retrofitting insulation in a home simply is upgrading the insulation of a house through the addition, replacement or taking away insulation. When they retrofit, they’ll remove small pieces of siding, and then drill tiny holes into the walls. Then, they insert tiny hoses into the hole, and fill the hole. This creates an attractive and well-insulated wall.
There are some kinds of insulation that are more environmentally friendly than other types. For instance, the cellulose insulation that they utilize in homes across Missouri is comprised mainly of recycled material.
It is determined by the kind of insulation you’re employing. Insulation comes with a specified R-value, so make certain to inquire with ArmorThane’s experts which the suggested R-values are for your particular project.
Insulate certain areas of your house could result in some energy savings However, for the best value from your insulation, complete the insulation of your entire house.
In fact, insulation is able to help to reduce noise and make for a more peaceful and comfortable space within your home. Insulation can reduce the amount of noise that is emitted through walls in the interior and outside as well as through floors.
A home that is more energy-efficient can help you save money and also lessen the environmental impact of heating and the power used to run your home. Insulation for homes can be found in a wide range of efficient options to reduce heating loss. In the list, spray foam insulation comes with a range of advantages that could make it the most effective solution to your house.
In the current era of DIY home improvements, a lot of people are wondering if they could put in spray foam insulation on their own instead of hiring professionals. While you could apply spray foam insulation by yourself, the primary question is whether or not it is advisable that you should make it your own.
Before you choose to take the DIY method, take a look at the following responses to these frequently asked questions regarding self-installation of spray foam:
One of the questions we often get about spray foam is if it can be added to existing walls. The answer is yes, but drywall needs to be removed before you can install the foam.
Spray foam expands rapidly when it is applied to the inside of walls. If you try to add the insulation without removing drywall, the expanding foam may overfill the panel and exert pressure against the inside of the plasterboard. This can crack or break the drywall.
As you can see, it is crucial to remove drywall before installing spray foam insulation. You can remove drywall yourself, of course, but this is a messy and time-consuming job. Hiring a professional home insulation company may cost more on the initial removal and installation, but experienced technicians will be able to determine how much drywall needs to be removed and where so you can enjoy the full benefits of the insulation without excess time, inconvenience, or cost.
An alternative to spray foam that involves minimal removal of drywall is fiberglass insulation. Our team cuts several holes at strategic points in the existing wall, then we dense pack the fiberglass into the wall. In our experience, this is the only viable technique for installing insulation in existing walls without first removing the drywall.
We’ve already talked about why you should not try to install spray foam insulation in the walls without removing the drywall first. But, once you’ve removed the drywall, do you need to remove the existing insulation? Can’t the spray foam just fill in gaps left by old or degraded insulation?
The answer: no. In fact, the better answer is absolutely not.
More often than not, homeowners are looking to replace or augment existing fiberglass or another kind of insulation. Although spray foam is very sticky, it does not adhere well to fiberglass insulation. Combining the two kinds of insulation actually reduces the effectiveness of both: gaps in the old fiberglass insulation are not effectively resolved by introducing spray foam, and the continuous barrier that the foam is designed to create does not form properly around the fiberglass.
As a result, the major advantages of spray foam insulation also suffer. Gaps in the foam negatively affect the material’s resistance to heat transfer, and they can also weaken the foam’s ability to resist moisture. Water vapor can build up in the walls without proper insulation. Even in a dry climate like we have in Colorado, this can cause mold to form.
Mold devalues your home. It also puts you and your family at risk for a range of health problems.
Whether you decide to insulate your home yourself or hire a professional to handle it, removing the old insulation first is an absolute must. If you opt for the DIY option, the amount of extra time you take for this step will more than pay for itself in the effectiveness of the new insulation and the savings on your energy bill.
The overall cost of home insulation is dependent in part on the total square footage of your home. On average, spray foam costs $7 per square foot. This does mean that spray foam is more expensive than other types of insulation, but the energy savings make it very cost-effective.
That said, the savings you enjoy on your energy bill are dependent on installing the right amount of the right kind of insulation in the right areas of your home. These are a lot of considerations for a DIYer to take into account when budgeting for a home insulation upgrade.
You can perform hours of research on your own, calculate the costs of the materials you need, and do all of the work yourself to save money on the project. Or you can get a professional home energy audit where an experienced and certified building performance analyst diagnoses your home for air leaks and energy loss issues, assesses your current insulation, and provides you with a price quote estimate based on knowledge grounded in science.
Over- or under-buying materials is one of the biggest factors in why DIY projects go over budget. An energy audit makes it possible for you to have an accurate estimate of what professional installation will cost, helping to align the project with your budget.
DIY projects may lead to short-term savings. However, from damage to drywall to creating conditions for mold to grow, the long-term cost of installing spray foam insulation yourself can be extensive if something goes wrong.
When you work with ArmorThane, you get the combined benefits of premium spray foam insulation and a company with the knowledge and experience to help you make the best decisions for your home. Their hardworking group of energy efficiency experts can help you reduce your energy costs and make your home more comfortable. Hiring them is easier on you, and you can rest assured that our team will properly install the spray foam insulation.
If you are considering ways to improve your home’s energy usage, don’t hesitate to contact ArmorThane with your questions. We will review your needs and goals and recommend solutions. Should you decide to hire a professional insulation company, ArmorThane serves homes all throughout the United States.
When you’ve been looking for insulation options in your construction, you’ve likely come across numerous kinds of insulation like fiberglass as well as cellulose as well as spray foam.
You’ve heard of spray foam, but you aren’t sure what it is or the way it functions.
The Icynene Lapolla spray foam is a newer kind of insulation that has been in use since.
Many modern homes get insulated using spray foam to increase energy efficiency as well as comfort benefits.
In the same way, homeowners of older houses are considering retrofitting your attics, walls, and crawl areas to spray foam to address discomfort in the room and cut down on monthly energy costs.
Spray foam is also a great alternative to pole barns.
ArmorThane USA of Springfield MO has more than 30 years of experience in insulating thousands of homes across the lower peninsula and more recently, the Toledo region. We are knowledgeable about spray foam as well as the advantages of insulation of your home by using spray foam.
In this post, we’ll go over exactly how spray foam insulation will be composed, how it’s constructed and how it functions, and much more. So, kick back and relax as we know more about spray foam insulation.
Spray foam insulation is an insulation and air barrier material that is used to seal walls floor, ceiling, and wall cavities from the movement of air.
This is the case for areas around electrical outlets as well as fixtures for lighting, as well as at the point where walls join doors and windows.
Spray foam can be sprayed through an opening area as in new construction such as attics, crawl spaces, and the rim of joists. It is also used in commercial buildings, as well as pole barns. If the cavity is accessible and there is access, then spray foam can be applied.
Spray foam does not lose its shape. In contrast to traditional insulation products, spray foam fills cracks gaps, crevices, and gaps when it is installed. It doesn’t shrink, compress or settle as time passes.
There are plenty of reasons to upgrade your insulation however, why should you make the decision to install spray foam insulation?
There are many reasons spray foam insulation is a high-quality product that homeowners select and the decision is typically dependent on the benefits of the material.
If you’re paying constant energy bills due to your home’s inability to keep a constant temperature then the air seal made by spray foam could help. Spray foam seals the building envelope in the house, which means that the air doesn’t get into your home, and will also be unable to escape.
The air sealing of your home will stop the air from leaking and your air conditioner and furnace will not be constantly running. This can save you money each month on your energy bill.
The air-seal made by spray foam will also stop drafts from entering your home. Everywhere that air can get into the home there will be. Because of the way the spray operates, it is able to get into every crevice and crevice and stops air circulation.
Another problem that people are aware of which spray foam can remedy is condensation on walls.
If there is a huge temperature difference between the outside to the interior of the house When those two temperatures are met, condensation is created. This is the case in walls that have very little or no insulation coverage.
Another scenario is in which the air seal made by foam insulation will help prevent condensation from developing. The condensation isn’t able to form because the foam has formed an obstacle so that outside air and the inside treated air don’t get in.
One of the most common issues faced by homeowners is ice dams that can form in the winter months.
The formation of ice dams occurs when water is frozen on the roof, and the heat loss that comes through the attic helps melt it which causes it to run through the roof, creating an ice dam at the bottom of the roof near the gutters.
This is an example of how it is the air seal that is created with spray foam insulation in the attic will stop the formation of ice dams. The air that is treated in your home circulates and is directed into an attic area. The insulation of the roof deck of the attic stops the warm air from venting through the roof.
The prevention of air movement to stop the formation of ice dams.
Open Cell, as well as Closed cells, spray foam insulate your home, while also creating the air-tight seal.
The insulation offers many advantages, including, sound-dampening qualities as well as preventing the growth of mold and reducing airflow, and stopping drafts and cold flooring. It can also reduce your monthly energy costs.
Spray foam insulation effects on conduction (heat transfer) and convection (airflow), which can affect your home’s comfort as well as energy efficiency. The main function of insulation is to block the flow of heat into or out of the space. It helps keep your home warm during winter, and cool house cool in summer.
When you think of traditional insulation that is the fiberglass or cellulose consider it in the same way as wool sweaters and windbreakers.
A woolen sweatshirt on a cold autumn morning is cozy and warm. The same wool sweater won’t make you feel warm if the wind is blowing across it. A windbreaker is much more efficient to keep you cozy, similar to spray foam.
The leakage of the air can be a major issue in many homes. It is a major cause of energy consumption and also the discomforts caused by the cold floor, drafts, and the formation of ice dams. There are homes that let in enough air every day to fill two blimps which is a huge impact that will have on your cooling and heating expenses.
A few opened cells spray foam insulation is able to expand to 100 times its initial size, filling every crevice and corner of the cavity. This prevents air leakage. When using traditional insulation such as cellulose and fiberglass gaps and spaces which aren’t filled may leak air.
The use of spray foam can lead to an energy-efficient and draft-free home.
Spray foam is either closed or open cells foam insulation.
Both materials can create air-tight seals, they have a few differentiators between them that could create a different outcome for your project. Let’s look at.
open-cell spray foam insulation is spray-applied on open cavities of any structure.
Open-cell forms an air seal as well as continuous insulation inside the existing house or new house, or pole barn. The spray foam insulation can be described as lightweight flexible and pliable. It can expand as much as 100 times to fill in every space that it’s installed.
Here are some of the benefits open-cell spray foam has to offer.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation It is applied with a spray to create an air seal as well as continuous insulation.
Closed cell spray foam is applied to the cavity spaces of houses, new homes pole barns, as well as commercial structures. Although we generally do not recommend closed cell in homes, there are situations when it’s the best choice over open cells particularly when the building has a limited area.
Closed cell is most commonly employed in commercial pole barns, pole barns structures and vans.
Here are the advantages that come with closed cell spray foam.
The majority of spray foams are produced by mixing two liquids creating the chemical reaction to create what is known as spray polyurethane foam. The two liquids are contained in different containers or drums. Contractors usually refer to one container as the “A” side and the other container as the “B” side, according to the website Spraypolyurethane.org.
It is the “A” side of a spray polyurethane system is generally composed of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate (pMDI).
“B” Side “B” side is typically composed of polyols, catalysts, blowing agent surfactants, and flame retardants according to the website.
In the event that it is the “B” side is introduced to the “A” side, there is a reaction that creates foam.
“A” side and the “A” side and the “B” side are both exclusive with every spray foam manufacturer. The majority of “A” sides will share components, however, each manufacturer will have its unique mix.
The Icynene-Lapolla spray foam insulation’s main ingredients are organic and water-blown chemical substances derived by petroleum extractions. This spray foam is environmentally safe, Class One Fire Rated, and does not hold water.
However, it’s crucial to remember that each spray foam manufacturer will be different in the material they employ and the type of material they use as blowing agents. It’s why it’s crucial to inquire in with the foam insulation contractor about the materials they intend to use, and also get more details about the particular product.
Cost price associated with spray foam insulation will also vary in price from manufacturer and manufacturer and even from contractor to contractor.
If you’re in the market for spray foam insulation, then you’ve probably read horrifying stories about off-gassing, and high VOCs or volatile organic compounds. This leaves you in a state of confusion as to whether spray foam is safe to install within your home.
As we mentioned earlier It’s true that not all spray foam is made identical and isn’t of identical quality. It is essential to ensure that you are well acquainted with the materials the contractor is planning to use.
The spray foam insulation can emit discharge gas however, the amount differs between different products. There are some health issues associated with off-gassing and odor but only in large quantities. This is the reason when researching spray foam insulation it is important to be looking for products that are marked “low-VOC.”
Low-VOC spray foam has a low amount of off-gassing and a shorter re-occupancy period of approximately 2 hours.
After you’ve received an estimate from the company and are waiting for the installation to begin the initial phase of the project will begin when a team arrives at your house and take away all current insulation out of the room to be insulated.
If it’s a newly constructed house, pole barn as well as commercial construction, there will not need to be removed.
On the day of the installation, crews must prepare the area on which the foam will be sprayed. The method of preparation depends on the area where the foam will be applied. If the basement rim joist will be sprayed in the basement and you have objects that are in the area, the team should ensure that, if they weren’t removed prior to the spraying, they are relocated to the middle area. These items should be covered in plastic to protect them from damage.
Once the pre-construction work is finished and the team will then run a hose over the location to be insulated including the crawl space, or rim joist of an existing house. Walls that are not covered in new construction, as well as pole barns, can get sprayed using foam insulation as well for brick walls made of concrete.
You’ll be able to see the trailers and trucks and that’s where the magic occurs. With the higher-end, larger rigs, it is impossible to blend and spray poor foam. The technology within the rig guarantees that the foam is properly mixed each time, and also that the foam is at the right temperature regardless of what temperature outside.
After everything has been sprayed and cleaned, the crew will clean up the area to ensure that it appears as it did before the task was begun.
Air leakage could account for up to 40% of the energy used to cool and heat your home according to the Department of Energy. It’s like having an open window every all day, year-round.
It is the only spray foam insulation that can guard against the primary cause of heat loss air leakage since it creates an air barrier.
If you’ve now learned about spray foam insulation, you might have decided that it’s ideal for your home.
If you reside within the US and you’re ready to arrange a no-cost home estimate or are interested in becoming a spray foam applicator, contact ArmorThane by phone or complete the request form at their web site. Also, you can look over the estimate calculator to give you an estimate of the price to insulate your home.
Spray foam insulation can crank up the performance of your homes—if you do it right. Check out our daily posts on the Foam Insulation and the Foam Insulation Market. We review each company and relay the information directly to you. Join our mailing list and have them sent directly to your email each and every day.
If you would like to know more about polyurea or spray foam, we recommend visiting ArmorThane
