Residential Insulation
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How Do I Know Which Insulation to Buy?
Insulation performance is measured using something called an “R-value”. The R-value essentially measures and provides insight into a material’s resistance to heat flow. Thus, the higher the R-value - the better the material will insulate your home from both a climate control and an energy efficiency perspective.
The R-value is provided by the manufacturer and is given per inch of thickness for the material. Additionally, there are different recommendations for required R-value of insulation depending upon the climate of our area, and the R-value recommendations differ based on materials, any existing insulation present, and the space within the home that is being insulated.
As you can see in the image below we are right around climate zone 3 and 4 (provided by https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation)
The R-value is provided by the manufacturer and is given per inch of thickness for the material. Additionally, there are different recommendations for required R-value of insulation depending upon the climate of our area, and the R-value recommendations differ based on materials, any existing insulation present, and the space within the home that is being insulated.
As you can see in the image below we are right around climate zone 3 and 4 (provided by https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation)
This table above provided by the US. Department of Energy helps us to understand, based on our climate zone, what R-value we need to complete our insulation project.
You first isolate the row for your climate zone - we are climate zone 4 to be safe, then you find the column listing the space you plan to insulate whether the attic, crawlspace, or walls. CI - stands for continuous insulation.
You first isolate the row for your climate zone - we are climate zone 4 to be safe, then you find the column listing the space you plan to insulate whether the attic, crawlspace, or walls. CI - stands for continuous insulation.
What Kind of Insulation Products are Available?
The first thought for most folks when discussing insulation is the pink, itchy fiberglass insulation that we used for decades. Today, we have many more options including spray foam insulation, blown in cellulose, foam boards and many more.
Spray foam insulation is growing in popularity and for good reason. The spray is simple to apply but it’s impacts are the largest and helps you reap the many benefits of a professionally insulated home or commercial building.
There are two primary types of spray foam insulation that are perfect for attic insulation, basement insulation, crawlspace insulation, and really any space you plan to insulate in your home. Additionally, the spray foam insulation is much more robust and lasts a very long time.
Spray foam insulation is growing in popularity and for good reason. The spray is simple to apply but it’s impacts are the largest and helps you reap the many benefits of a professionally insulated home or commercial building.
There are two primary types of spray foam insulation that are perfect for attic insulation, basement insulation, crawlspace insulation, and really any space you plan to insulate in your home. Additionally, the spray foam insulation is much more robust and lasts a very long time.
Open Cell Spray FoamOpen cell spray foam is named appropriately in that the foam cells are not closed - rather they are “open”. This cell structure is important because it allows the material to be permeable by water and vapors. Additionally, open cell spray foam is softer and more flexible than its counterpart - closed cell spray foam insulation. You might be curious why we would want an insulator to be permeable by vapors and water - the answer is there are often circumstances where a space - such as a crawlspace or basement - is susceptible to mold. Open cell spray is great for this scenario because it would allow the water to pass through the material without harboring a moist environment that mold would love to grow in.
Open cell spray foam uses less material than closed cell, it expands more, and is often more cost efficient. Open cell spray foam is a great interior and residential insulation product; however, it might not be the best option for your specific project. Give us a call now to get a free quote! We would be happy to simply consult on the best product for your home. |
Closed Cell Spray FoamClosed cell spray foam is also aptly named in that the cellular structure is composed of “closed” cells. This anatomical difference allows the closed cell spray foam to be much more dense than open cell foam which results in an insulator that is water and vapor retardant. Closed cell foam is appropriate to install for both interior and exterior surfaces which allows closed cell to be a bit more versatile in application.
The R-value of closed cell foam insulation is much higher - making closed cell spray foam an excellent insulation choice for just about any climate or thermal environment. Additionally, the higher R-value results in an insulator that is significantly more rigid in structure which actually helps to increase the structural integrity and resistance to impact of your dwelling. This makes closed cell spray foam a wonderful choice for insulation areas such as the crawl space or against walls or masonry foundations. Again - closed cell spray foam insulation is a wonderful product - but it might not be the best option for your specific project. Give us a call today at 919-535-4851 and we would be happy to guide you on making the right choice for your home or business insulation. |
Why Choose Us?
Every Detail Matters
The world today does not always appreciate attention to detail, but let us tell you now - whomever you choose to help insulate your home - please make sure they are detail oriented. Applying spray over specific pipes or electrical components can get you in trouble down the road. We hate to see it - but we often come across homes with insulation sprayed all over the place and not professionally installed - or at least not installed by a professional with attention to detail. Insulation is a laborious activity - and cutting corners does not cut it (literally and figuratively). It is our promise that when we complete an insulation job for you - you never have to worry about it again, and your home will be left as clean as when we arrived.
Plan Plan Plan!
Like many trade services - fleshing out a detailed and executable plan is extremely important when installing insulation. The Chapel Hill Insulation Pros do not begin work on projects until we have the most efficient and effective insulation plan drawn out and communicated to you the client. This includes consulting on the best insulation product for the job, planning our insulation removal process to remove existing insulation if needed, how we will prepare the space for insulation application, how we will install the insulation, and last but not least how we will clean the area prior to leaving.
Budget
Trust us - we get that budget is the primary concern for most homeowners. Our pricing is fair and competitive. Most importantly, the quote you receive is the price you will pay. We do not appreciate being treated with added expenses or surprise bills, and we will only treat our customers how we like to be treated.
Communication and Fun
There are a lot of trade services where the tradesman simply does not communicate effectively or know how to have any fun. We do both very well. We love the work we do, we love meeting and helping members of our community. We take our work very seriously but we are not prickly or pretentious.
How Does The Process Work?
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Locations ServicedChapel Hill, NCHillsborough, NCFearrington, NCDurham, NC |