.: How Green is Green?
Over the course of my 22 years in the insulation industry I
have watched the industry improve in so many ways. Our equipment is so
much better, the availability of best methods procedures, and the latest
implementation of the implementation of the FTC Home Insulation Rule back in
2005. Read the whole storey...
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.:
Keeping it Real (A.K.A. -Truth in
Insulation Contracting)
Being in the insulation business for as many years as I have
where the turn over and burn out rate is pretty high I've met a lot of
characters in that time. I remember one year when I went through nearly as many
employees as I did clients! It's a tough business, but I love it.
Read the whole storey...
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.: Resource Library
Attic Insulation
Wall Insulation
Types of Insulation (Professionally use)
Blown-In (Loose fill)
Insulation - The Straight facts
Why
remove insulation?
Ventilation
Sound Attenuation (The cure for noisy neighbors)
Attic Insulation
The attic is the first place to consider
with the highest return on investment - But How much is enough?
While village, town and county codes vary widely. The Department of Energy's
Recommendation for this area is minimum R 38 value up to R49 optimum.
What is R value?
R-value is a unit of measurement of resistance to heat flow. The higher the R
value the more heat you retain in the winter and the more heat you keep out in
the summer.
How can I tell if I have enough R value
insulation?
As a Rule of thumb R38 translates into 14'' of insulation.
Won't that much insulation block my eve
vents?
It can if not properly dealt with. Eve venting is critical to your homes well
being. Lack of eve venting can cause ice dams, roof deterioration, insulation
degradation, roof deck rot, and mold growth. That is why a professional in home
estimate/evaluation is recommended.
Wall Insulation
Frame Homes
After the attic, the most significant areas
of heat loss or gain are the walls of your home. Insulated walls contribute most
to your home comfort.
In 2 story homes there can be more than twice the area of walls as attic area,
plus stopping heat loss 5' to 16' above your head is not as effective if your
walls are not insulated. All Insulation has insulated the walls of thousands of
frame homes.
In brick homes uninsulated walls will feel
stone cold, can result in mold growth in closets, and create thermal drafts as
warm air is cooled by the cold masonry drops & returns across the floor. All
Insulation has insulated hundreds of brick homes. Typically in one day.
Experience makes the difference. From the evaluation through completion All
Insulation is concerned with you and your home.
Because your home is important to you, we are careful to install your insulation
in a neat and clean manner. All Insulation uses only name brand insulation
materials that are guaranteed not to rot, decay or attract pests, they are
noncombustible, non-corrosive, and will not support mold or mildew.
 What
causes drafts in an uninsulated home?
Drafts are not necessarily caused by leaky
windows or doors. In poorly insulated homes they're caused by the movement of
heat towards cold. When warm air meets the cold wall surface warm air rises and
the cold air falls causing drafty floors. Children playing on the floor are
subject to more colds and runny noses
What types of insulation do professionals use?
Each type of insulation is best suited for a particular application. For attic
retrofit insulation professionals recommend blown (loose fill) over batts
(rolled) insulation. See comparison chart below.
|
BENEFIT |
LOOSE-FILL (BLOWN) |
BATT |
| FULL COVERAGE IN ALL AREAS
TO ELIMINATE HEAT LEAKAGE |
YES!
PROVIDES FULL AND
UNIFORM COVERAGE OF AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE DIFFICULT AREAS BETWEEN CROSS
BRACING AND TRUSS BRACING.
ALSO COVERS ENTIRE AREA OVER TRUSSES AND JOISTS, THEREBY FILLING GAPS TO
ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE HEAT LEAKAGE |
NO!
DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY
FILL AREAS BETWEEN CROSS BRACING AND TRUSS BRACING.
BATTS WHICH ARE PRE-CUT TO STANDARD WIDTHS CAN LEAVE GAPS AND OPENINGS
THAT ALLOW HEAT LEAKAGE. |
| OPTIMUM R-VALUE |
YES!
ALLOWS OPTIMUM
R-VALUE TO BE INSTALLED.
CAN ACHIEVE AN R-VALUE AS HIGH AS R-38 AND R-49 TO MEET GOVERNMENT
SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR THIS AREA. |
NO!
MAY REQUIRE CUSTOMER TO USE MORE OR SLIGHTLY LESS THAN OPTIMUM R-VALUE
THAT JOB REQUIRES.
THIS CAN COST THE CUSTOMER MORE MATERIAL THAN IS ECONOMICALLY DESIRABLE,
OR IF AN UNDER-RATED BATT IS USED, IT CAN COST THE CUSTOMER ENERGY
SAVING DOLLARS. |
| PREVENTS MOISTURE BUILD-UP
|
YES!
DOES NOT PERMIT
MOISTURE ACCUMULATION IN INSULATION.
PERMITS USE OF VENT CHUTES TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM EVE VENTILATION.
|
NO!
LAYERED BATTS CAN
TRAP MOISTURE BETWEEN LAYERS AND CAUSE CONDENSATION.
IF BATTS ARE FACED AND NOT PROPERLY APPLIED TO THE LAST DETAIL, THE
VAPOR BARRIER FREQUENTLY CAUSES MOISTURE ACCUMULATION, WHICH CAN RESULT
IN WATER DAMAGE.
AT LOW SLOPE ROOFS, BATTS MUST BE COMPRESSED AT EVES.
|
| PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION |
YES!
ALMOST ALWAYS
INSTALLED PROFESSIONALLY DUE TO COST OF EQUIPMENT (BLOWERS,HOSES, ETC.)
THE PRO KNOWS HOW AND WHERE TO INSULATE, AND HE HAS THE RIGHT MATERIALS
AND TOOLS TO DO THE JOB.
THE PRO KNOWS ALL THE SAFETY HAZARDS TO AVOID.
FURTHER, "InsulSafe SP" LOOSE FILL IS MANUFACTURED UNDER STRINGENT
QUALITY CONTROL, WITH ITS COVERAGE AND DENSITY LABELED ON EVERY BAG.
|
NO!
MOST OFTEN INSTALLED
BY DO-IT YOUR SELFERS WHO NOT ONLY LACK THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, BUT USUALLY
THE SKILL AND EXPERIENCE TO DO A COMPLETE AND PROPER INSTALLATION.
ALSO, THE DO-IT YOUR SELFER IS OFTEN UNAWARE OF SAFETY HAZARDS IN THE
ATTIC. |
| COST SAVINGS |
YES!
PREFERRED BY MOST
CONTRACTORS FOR INSULATING ATTIC AREAS BECAUSE IT SAVES INSTALLATION
TIME LABOR AND MATERIALS.
SINCE MOST JOBS ARE COMPETITIVELY BID, THESE SAVINGS CAN BE PASSED ON TO
THE CUSTOMER. |
NO!
DIFFICULT TO INSTALL PROPERLY IN TIGHT ATTIC AREAS, TAKES LONGER, USES
MORE MATERIALS, AND MORE LABOR.
THE RESULT: ADDED COST RATHER THAN COST SAVINGS. |
| RETROFIT INSULATION |
YES!
CAN BE QUICKLY, CLEANLY, AND ACCURATELY APPLIED AFTER DWELLING HAS BEEN
OCCUPIED.
CAN BE INSTALLED UNDER FLOORED AREAS MORE EFFICIENTLY. |
NO!
PROPER APPLICATION,
WITH CORRECT STAPLING ON FLANGES, NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE AFTER COMPLETION
OF DWELLING.
MOREOVER, SOME ACCESSES TO ATTICS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE
THE STANDARD BATT PACKAGING.
TO INSULATE FLOORED AREAS, FLOORING MUST BE REMOVED & REINSTALLED
COMPLETELY. |
Not all blown in
insulation is the same...
The predominant loose fill blown insulations used by professionals are compared
below.
| FEATURE |
CELLULOSE |
MINERAL FIBER |
"CHOPPED"
FIBERGLASS |
VIRGIN
FIBERGLASS |
| DOMINANT RAW
MATERIAL |
OLD NEWSPAPER
AND OTHER SCRAP PAPER PRODUCTS. ORGANIC MATERIAL |
REFINED
SMELTER ORE INORGANIC RECYCLED MATERIAL. |
TYPICALLY
REJECT BATT OR BOARD STOCK . |
REFINED SILICA
SAND AND RECYCLED GLASS MATERIAL. INORGANIC MATERIAL. |
| PRODUCTION
PROCESS |
PAPER IS
GROUND INTO A FINE DUST-LIKE CONSISTENCY. |
ORE IS MELTED
AND SPUN INTO LONG MINERAL FIBERS. |
CHOPPED OR
SHREDDED BY-PRODUCT, CAN BE AN IRRITANT. |
SAND IS MELTED
WITH RECYCLED GLASS AND SPUN INTO GLASS FIBER. FOR SUPERIOR CONSISTENCY. |
| CHEMICAL
ADDITIVES |
LARGE AMOUNTS
OF BORAX AND BORIC ACID, PLUS OTHER ADDITIVES. |
(IMPURITIES)
CONTAIN MISCELLANEOUS MINERALS. |
CAN CONTAIN
ADHESIVES & DYES. |
CAN CONTAIN
SOME NON TOXIC DYES. |
| FIRE PROOF |
FIRE
RESISTANT, BUT WHEN IGNITED CAN SUPPORT COMBUSTION. ADDITIVES OFTEN
DISSIPATE OVER TIME. |
NON-COMBUSTIBLE. WILL NOT SUPPORT COMBUSTION. WILL NOT MELT UNLESS
TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 2,000° F. |
NON-COMBUSTIBLE WILL NOT SUPPORT COMBUSTION. WILL NOT MELT UNLESS
TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 1,000° F. |
NON-COMBUSTIBLE. WILL NOT SUPPORT COMBUSTION. WILL NOT MELT UNLESS
TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 1,200° F. |
| SETTLING |
SOME TESTS
INDICATE 20% TO 30% SETTLING OVER TIME. |
NO SIGNIFICANT
SETTLING. |
MORE BASIC
PRODUCT. CAN SETTLE IF "OVERBLOWN" |
NO SIGNIFICANT
SETTLING WHEN PROPERLY INSTALLED. FIBERS MANUFACTURED UNDER STRINGENT
QUALITY CONTROL. |
| MOISTURE
ABSORPTION |
ORGANIC FIBERS
WILL READILY ABSORB LARGE AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE. EMITS FIRE RETARDANT
CHEMICALS WHILE DRYING. |
INORGANIC
FIBERS WILL NOT ABSORB MOISTURE. |
INORGANIC
FIBERS WILL NOT ABSORB MOISTURE. |
INORGANIC
FIBERS WILL NOT ABSORB MOISTURE. |
| INSTALLED
STABILITY |
FINE,
DUST-LIKE FIBERS ARE SUBJECT TO DRIFTING AND LEACHING INTO LIVING AREAS. |
FIBERS
INTERLOCK WHEN INSTALLED. GOOD RESISTANCE TO DRIFTING. |
INCONSISTENT.
LIGHT FLUFFY FIBERS ARE SUBJECT TO DRIFTING. REQUIRES EXTRA CARE TO
INSURE PROPER R-VALUE. |
SPECIFICALLY
ENGINEERED & MANUFACTURED UNDER STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL TO INSURE
QUICK, CLEAN PERMANENT PERFORMANCE. |
| WEIGHT TO
R-VALUE RATIO |
HIGH - OVER 1.8 LB./SQ. FT. AT R-38
VALUE.
SHOULD NOT BE USED OVER LIGHTER INSULATIONS. |
HIGH- OVER 1.6
LB./ SQ. FT. AT R-38 VALUE. SHOULD NOT BE USED OVER LIGHTER INSULATIONS. |
LOW - ONLY
.645 LB. OR LESS AT R-38 VALUE. CAN BE USED OVER ANY EXISTING
INSULATION. SUPERIOR FOR TRUSS & DRYWALL CONSTRUCTION. |
LOW - ONLY
.675 LB. / SQ. FT. AT R-38 VALUE. CAN BE USED OVER ANY EXISTING
INSULATION. SUPERIOR FOR TRUSS & DRYWALL CONSTRUCTION. |
| SOUND
REDUCTION |
GOOD. |
GOOD. |
FAIR. |
FAIR. |
| MOLD/FUNGUS
RESISTANCE |
SUPPORTS
GROWTH. |
DOES NOT
SUPPORT GROWTH. |
DOES NOT
SUPPORT GROWTH. |
DOES NOT
SUPPORT GROWTH. |
All Insulation recommends
Certainteed InsulSafe SP virgin fiberglass. It is clean, lightweight,
noncombustible, non hydroscopic, and won't support mold or mildew.
InsulSafe SP has the
texture of cotton & contains no chemical by-products. Other products simple do not
measure up.
Why remove insulation?
- Animal infestation, contamination.
- Mold remediation.
- Allergic reaction of occupants.
- Fire, smoke, water damage restoration.
- In preparation for remodeling.
* To prevent blown insulation from tracking into occupied areas.
* To clear attic for trades to work.
If you need insulation removed... "We have a better way"
We suck out contaminated blown insulation with our
specialized equipment.
Our crew can vacuum the insulation directly into your dumpster, or into special
bags and haul it away.
We can then spray, disinfect, and deodorize.
And finally blow in new
Certainteed InsulSafe SP Premium fiberglass insulation.
All work can be done in one trip, or separately.
All Insulation uses only the best of equipment!
Our Versa-Vac vacuums insulation directly from your attic into our special bags.
It handles recycled, animal contaminated, wet, or fire damaged insulation. The
Blown insulation, feces and animal debris, is transported directly from the
attic into our special vacuum bags.
We offer the following services:
- Powered attic exhaust fans
- Solar powered vents
- Static venting roof vents
- Intake (eave) vents
- Animal Guard for vents
- Whole house fans
- Kitchen & bathroom exhaust venting
Many people do not realize that, by definition, asphalt &
membrane roofs are similar to putting a plastic bag over your home, suffocating
it. That is why proper attic ventilation both high & low, is critical to the
health of your home.
Improper attic ventilation can rot your roof deck, shorten
the life of your roof, cause curling or cupped shingles, degrade your
insulation, cause paint to peel and blister, create an environment for mold,
reduce your comfort level, overwork your heating/cooling system, and is one of
the major causes of ice dams.
It is important to determine the right amount of ventilation
for homes. Most homes today are not ventilated to minimum FHA standards. That
means relatively little intake and exhaust ventilation in the attic. Our line of
power ventilators, roof vents, gable vents, bathroom exhaust roof caps, under
eave and soffit vents can provide adequate ventilation, which in return will cut
your energy bills, provide for a cooler home and prolong the life of shingles,
rafters, insulation and ceilings. Ventilation products also reduce harmful
winter moisture and ice damming so the roof and the home are protected year
round.
Our estimators are trained to recognize & recommend solutions
for homes with inadequate attic ventilation.
Sound Attenuation
 One of
the most common complaints of multifamily living is unwanted sound.
Of course the best time to deal with this is during
construction, but most don't think of this until after occupancy.
All Insulation has helped mitigate excessive sound typically
in one day, however sound is subjective and behaves similar to water. It is
better to eliminate it at the source than to contain it.
All Insulation can typically increase the STC Rating of walls
& ceiling assembly by 8 to 10.
Airborne Sound
The STC or sound transmission class is a single number rating used to indicate
the effectiveness of an entire construction assembly (partition, wall,
floor/ceiling) in resisting passage of airborne sound. The rating is determined
from sound transmission loss values (measured in decibels) that are obtained by
tests conducted in accordance with ASTM E 90 "Standard Method for Laboratory
Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions." The
sound transmission loss values are plotted on a graph and, with the use of a
transparent overlay, a single number STC rating is determined. The higher the
STC rating the better the sound insulation performance of the construction.
For multi-family dwellings, building codes require minimum STC ratings for
partition, wall and floor/ceiling constructions that separate certain building
areas and occupancies. These ratings are usually based on multiples of five,
such as 45, 50, 55, 60. If a partition has an STC rating between 45 and 50 there
is usually little concern whether the test results were 46, 47, 48, or 49, as
alt four ratings would meet a minimum rating of 45. However, the partition would
not be acceptable for an STC 50 requirement.
The National (BOCA) and Standard (SBCCI) Building Codes, far example, require an
STC 45 for partitions and floor/ceilings separating living units from other
living units, public spaces and service areas. The Uniform Building Code (ICBO)
requires an STC 50 (45 if field tested).
An indication of the approximate effectiveness of constructions with various STC
ratings in blocking passage of loud speech is shown in the following chart:
Web site contents Copyright All Insulation, Inc. 2006, All rights reserved.
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