Understanding Home Insulation

Understanding Home Insulation


Understanding Insulation ArmorFoam ArmorThane

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.

What Is Home Insulation?

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.

Common types of home insulation

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

Fiberglass Insulation RollFiberglass 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 Insulation

Mineral Wool Insulation

Mineral wool comes in a variety of different forms, such as:

  • Glass wool made from recycled glass
  • Basalt rock wool that is made of rock wool
  • Slag wool is made of steel mill slag (the most commonly used kind of mineral wool)

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

Cellulose Insulation

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 Insulation (Spray Foam)

Spray Foam Insulation

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.

How Much is Insulation?

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.

Do I require home insulation?

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.

What is the best place to insulate my 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:

Attics

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

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.

Crawl Spaces

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.

Garages

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

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..

How do I calculate Insulation’s R-Value?

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.

ArmorThane: Home Insulation Contractors

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.

Commonly Asked Questions about Insulation for your home

What is the best kind of insulation?

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.

What is retrofit?

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.

What kind of insulation is environmentally friendly?

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.

What do I know about the R-value of my insulation?

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. 

Is it possible that insulating certain parts of my house result in energy savings?

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. 

Can insulation reduce sound?

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.