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6 Important Steps to Prepare Your House for Winter

6 Important Steps to Prepare Your House for Winter

It’s that time of year where the leaves begin to change color, and the air gets crisp, fall has arrived and winter is on the way! That means it is time to start all the fall home maintenance tasks. We are look forward to our homes remaining warm and in good condition through a long winter. Below is a fall checklist of things homeowners should do to keep track, from Barrier Insulation.

  1. Seal Gaps and Cracks

Even the smallest gaps or cracks in doors and windows can allow cold air to come in during the winter, which means you are losing heat. This results in your home being less comfortable than it should be, while your electric bills increase more than needed. You should spend time to check gaps and cracks, then fill them using caulk as required. Replace weather strips that may be worn out or missing.

  1. Reverse the Fans

Many homeowners make the mistake that ceiling fans are only for use in summer time, but they can be important during the winter as well. It is recommended by experts that fans be switched to go clockwise and ran on low during winter months. This will help keep the hot air blow down, instead of staying by the ceiling, which helps keep your home warm easier and saves energy.

  1. Inspect Gutters and Roof

Prior to snow fall is a good time to climb the ladder and check out your gutters and the roof. You should make repairs to any leaks or missing shingles to avoid more serious damage. Gutters need to be cleaned, and repaired or replaced if needed. This helps to make sure the winter snow will melt and drain properly.

  1. Have the Furnace Serviced

Another important step is the annual maintenance for keeping the furnace working properly and allowing it to work efficiently. It also helps to increase the lifespan. The heating and cooling company you choose should look it over for any problems, while making repairs as needed. The filter will also be changed, while general tune-ups are performed to ensure the furnace is in the best condition when temperatures go down.

  1. Trim Trees and Bushes

One potential hazard homeowners face during the winter is overgrown trees and bushes. Storms during the winter can lead to branches breaking and falling into the windows or roof. Additionally, overgrown shrubs and trees are common places for pests and rodents, giving them easy access to your roof. The best time to trim trees is in the fall, before winter weather does it for you.

  1. Checking Insulation

In the event your home is lacking insulation, it will lead to your home being drafty and cold no matter how much the heat is turned up. If you are unsure if the insulation is efficient in your home, you can give us a call and we’ll come out and measure the insulation, and if needed add more. Homes that are properly insulated are much more comfortable, and provides decreased energy bills all year.

By doing these fall maintenance steps, you gain a peace of mind, but more importantly your home will become more comfortable and your energy bills will be lower, while preventing additional damages that could be more severe.

If you need help in making your home more energy efficient, contact us or give us a call at 602-499-2922 or . Learn how Barrier Insulation experts are able to ensure your home is more energy efficient.

Phoenix Fall Home Preparation

Phoenix Fall Home Preparation

Fall has arrived in the Valley of the Sun and overnight temperatures are starting to get into the 50’s. Daytime highs are still plenty comfortable, but nights are starting to get colder. This is the best time of year to get your home ready for the colder season. The holidays are already a busy time and November is a great time to get all of your home fall home preparation done in Phoenix.

Exterior Fall Home Preparation

The outside of your home needs some attention and inspection to be ready for the cold weather.

Take Care Of Trees – One of the biggest dangers to your home can be trees that are growing too close. They either hang over the roof or are right up against the wall. You don’t want the wind causing the branches to scrape against the house. There is also a danger of strong winds and a bad branch to break off and cause damage to your roof. Get your trees trimmed away from the house, and power lines. Many times the city will take care of the trees near your power lines for free, just call and let them know you think there might be a problem.

Check Your Roof – You can do a basic inspection of your roof from the ground. Look for areas where roofing material looks loose, or is missing. Keep an eye on your flashings too, they butt up against the chimney, walls, surround exhaust pipes and lay in valleys. They are a critical part of keeping you roofing in good condition.

Get The Chimney Swept – If you have a wood burning fireplace that you like to use during the winter, now is a good time to get it cleaned. While burning wood there are flammable materials and gases that go up through your chimney. Over time they collect on the chimney walls and have a potential for ignition. This can be a very dangerous situation if you have a chimney fire. Animals can also decide to create homes in your chimney so having it cleaned out protects you from having problems.

Clean Your Gutters – Leaves, twigs, and all sorts of blown debris can end up in your gutters and cause water to seep into your roof. Make sure you get a ladder or hire someone to clean out your gutters to prevent damage to your attic or insulation. Water left standing also poses a mold issue so take it serious when you are caring for your gutters and attic.

Interior Fall Home Preparation

Taking care of the outside of your home is important, but don’t miss these steps to shore up the interior of your home and help you stay safe and warm.

Look For Drafts – Drafts are energy killers and will cost you both in summer and winter. We pay plenty to the power and gas companies as it is. You will stay warmer and save on your bills if you take the time to find areas where the air is getting out of your house.  Drafts are usually coming in at cracks and gaps. Common places to look for them are plumbing vents, wiring holes, recessed lighting, attic hatches, and knee walls. This is a great time of year to caulk or seal up there gaps and help your home be more airtight.

Insulate To Save – Insulation is a big part of keeping your home comfortable in summer and winter. During the winter the heat from your home will attempt to flow through walls and into the adjacent unheated rooms. This includes the attic, basements, garages, and even simply out the walls of your home. Not having proper insulation makes your air conditioner work harder in summer, and your heater in winter. Thermal performance inspections by local insulation contractors help ensure that insulation is up to the task.

Home Safety Check – Fall is a great time to take a look at the safety device in your home. You should replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and heat sensors. With fall and winter being the time of year where there will be chestnuts roasting over the fire, you want to be sure you and your family are safe.

Phoenix Insulation Contractors

If you are worried about your energy bills and think it is your insulation that is at fault the experts at Barrier Insulation can come and help you with an inspection. They can help you prepare for the colder weather that is on it’s way and help you install insulation that will help lower your energy bills every month of the year. Call today to stay more comfortable and have lower energy bills.

 

 

Fall Is The Best Time To Insulate Your House

Fall Is The Best Time To Insulate Your House

With the holidays right around the corner fall is the best time to insulate your house. This is the time of year where the electricity bills from cooling our houses have fallen off, and we might have a little extra money to invest in our homes. Getting it done now, before we are knee deep in buying Christmas presents helps us manage our budgets better. While putting up the holiday decorations adds visual warmth to our homes, it does little to actually fight off the coming cold.

You can wait until you can’t come out from under your blanket to fix the problem, but it is the right time of year to get the pros to come and do an insulation inspection. Insulation over time can settle, degrade, and be damaged by water or other attic or wall insect infestations.  Knowing the condition of your insulation, and if you need insulation removal can help you know how to best take care of yourself and your home.

Insulated Before You Shiver

While the Phoenix area isn’t famous for its cold, the winters do get near freezing and it can be very uncomfortable for residents who are used to temperatures in the 90’s and 100’s. Investing in insulation in the fall helps avoid getting to the point where you panic and are desperately begging for someone to come and put insulation in your home. Not only will getting it handled early save you on discomfort but there really is no wrong time to get insulation. It will help you save money all year long. Fall is just easier because there is usually a little extra cash with lower seasonal electricity bills.

Insulation Saves Money

While installing insulation will likely be about the same cost, you will save more the sooner you get it installed in energy costs.  Taking advantage of the fall to install insulation means that the moment you flip on your heater, you will instantly be saving money. Not just in the fall, but all winter long. Cooler fall and winter temperatures are on their way and taking advantage of the mild fall weather will rack up the savings. Best of all insulating now will mean you are ready for the next summer and will save even more when the heat sets in again.

Getting Ahead Of The Problem

Like anything related to the upkeep and repair of our homes we need to stay on top of the issues. When insulation is worn out, become degraded by leaks in our attics, or has been ruined by pests in our attics it is no longer efficient and should be replaced. Inspection is the first phase of insulation maintenance. If the insulation you have is in good condition you might just need duct sealing or additional insulation in problem spots. If the insulation is damaged or worn out you will need insulation removal and re-installation of the insulation. Take care of the problems in your house soon and when they are small. Problems left to fester tend to only get worse and more expensive to fix. The difference with insulation is that insufficient insulation means higher energy bills all year long.

Polyiso Insulation Phoenix

polyiso-insulation-phoenix-az

Polyiso insulation is used in Phoenix residential and commercial construction projects. It is a common insulator of walls and roofs. While there are other options for rigid foam board insulators Polyiso offers the highest R-value per inch, and the longest term durability for thermal performance.

What is Polyiso Insulation?

Polyisocyanurate, also known as Polyiso, is a rigid foam board that has a closed cell internal design. It is comprised of a foam core that is sandwiched between two facers. Facers used for polyiso insulation vary from being made from inorganic and organic materials, such as fiberglass or paper. It is a widely used and common insulation product for residential walls and roofs. Polyiso foam board has one of the highest R-values in the insulation industry, so it is a great choice for many Phoenix homeowners.

Polyiso Insulation Applications

Roof Insulation

Today’s world is about energy conservation and keeping our bills lower. A major factor in having energy efficient homes is having good insulation. Polyiso has unique benefits which contribute to being a great insulation for roofs. It has the highest R-value per inch of any foam board, only roof insulation with 3rd party certification, and is the only high thermal foam to meet both UL 1256 and FM 4450 standards.

Wall Insulation

An increasing number of contractors are selecting polyiso boards to go into and on the walls of new construction projects. Utilizing the high R-value polyiso board helps reduce the overall footprint of the walls and increases the internal square footage of a home.

Advantages Of Polyisocyanurate Insulation

Polyiso insulation has multiple advantages, some of them:

  • Polyiso foam board has the highest R-value per inch of any foam board. This makes it the most thermally efficient board on the market.
  • Being a closed cell product the foam core is moisture resistant which helps it resist developing mold if there are leaks in the attic or walls.
  • Polyiso is compatible with most building adhesives, solvents, and construction materials.
  • Conforms to fire test standards FM Class 1, UL 1256 and Canadian building standards.
  • Long term durability and retention of R-value. Long term insulation performance can be measured using the LTTR method. This is an accelerated long term examination of the insulation materials. Using environmental conditions 15 years of use is simulated and comparative R-values are recorded. Polyiso has one of the highest retentions of thermal performance.
  • Environmentally friendly as it is CFC and HCFC-free. Which are ozone hazardous emissions.
  • It also many times is built from recycled content. While virtually all polyiso manufacturers use a high percentage of recycled content, a great portion of them are 100% recycled content.

Polyiso Insulaiton & the LEED program

The LEED program is a building certification program that is designed to help construct buildings which are constructed to build environmentally friendly and energy efficient structures. Polyiso can be a part of earning this recognition for a construction project. There are 2 main LEED codes that polyiso can help earn LEED credits with, these are optimized energy performance and the prerequisite minimum energy performance standards.

Polyiso also helps win in the LEED sectors of application and use of recycled materials in new building construction, reuse of polyiso foam board to reduce use of virgin materials, being produced in the united states it may help earn credit for using domestic/regional products, and is a rapidly renewable material.

Phoenix Insulation Contractors

If you have a new building going up or have one that just needs new insulation in Phoenix, Barrier Insulation has a full selection of products to meet every possible need. We can help you select the most cost effective solutions for your home or business, professionally install it, and ensure that every customer is satisfied. Insulation installed by Barrier Insulation will help keep your more comfortable year round, and keep those energy bills lower. Give us a call today at

Year Round Benefits Of Insulation In Arizona

year-round-benefits-of-insulation-in-arizona

Home insulation tends to be a subject that most home owners find too complex. This is because there are many different kinds of insulation. There are foams, rolls, batts, blown in, spray in, radiant, and more. Even within these classifications there are different variants like open cell spray in, and closed cell spray in that each have their own pros and cons. Insulation has year round benefits, read on to see how insulation does more than keep out the heat.

Basics Of Desert Insulation

Summer heat is the primary concern for most of the residents of southern and central Arizona. Insulation keeps the extreme heat out of our homes and businesses. While that is a very important function of insulation there are still year round benefits.

During the colder parts of the year we still get temperatures that dip down to and sometimes below 32°F. This means that the heater has to work harder burning up natural gas, or using more electricity. It is important to keep your home warm in the winter not only for the comfort of the occupants, but so that the pipes don’t freeze and burst.

Adequate Insulation For Arizona

Insulation is rated in what is called R Values. The higher the number, the more effective it is at slowing heat transfer. Many times of insulation, especially rolled batt insulation, will have its R value printed clearly on the paper backing.

The Department of Energy has a standard set for southern and central Arizona for insulation. It is at least a R-13 for the walls and a R-38 for attic spaces. These numbers are adequate for the low desert areas but any mountain homes or higher altitude residences should consider increasing these numbers for sufficient insulation.

Checking The Insulation You’ve Got

Fall is a great time to climb be in your attic, the temperatures have dropped off and it won’t be punishingly hot. But it is also early enough that if you find deficient insulation you can address the problem before it gets colder. Break out the ladder or find the attic access in your home and a measuring tape.

If you find that you have blown in insulation you can check the depth and figure out which type of material you have. Then you can compare that against the recommended depth of each of the different types of insulation.

If at this point you find that you have bad insulation from age, water damage, rodent infestation, or mold, you will have to have the insulation removed and new insulation installed. There are airborne irritants involved with damaged insulation that need to be handled properly. Read more about insulation removal.

Additional Insulation Benefits

Insulation doesn’t just keep our homes more comfortable and reduce energy costs. There are multiple other benefits, read below to get more information on how insulation helps do more than keep us comfortable.

Quieter Homes

Insulation doesn’t just slow heat from entering our homes, it stops sounds from outside from coming in. Without insulation the noises from the street, kids playing outdoors, or workers taking care of road or construction projects can easily be heard within our homes. Good wall and attic insulation shield our homes from these noises and help make them the quiet sanctuaries we expect them to be.

Helps Slow Fires

Effective insulation seals up gaps and air leaks that hold in our air conditioning and heating. It has the side benefit of helping control the spread of fire in an emergency. Air leaks or gaps during a fire accelerate the transfer of fresh air onto the flames and accelerate the spread. Proper fire retardant insulation helps combat this problem.

Keeps Homes More Comfortable

Power outages happen, and heating and air conditioning systems fail and need repair. Proper insulation helps keep the house more comfortable during the wait time before the power comes back on or the repairman can finish his work and get your heater or air conditioner going again.

Phoenix Insulation Experts

If you’d rather stay out of the attic but need to have you insulation situation tackled by a professional Barrier Insulation is your expert in the Phoenix Valley. We have the full set of insulation services and products to fit every structure and every need. Give us a call today and put your mind at ease.

 

Vermiculite Insulation Removal

vermiculite-insulation-removal-phoenix-az

What Is Vermiculite?

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is seen worldwide. It was commonly used in attic insulation until 1990. It is still common to be used in potting soils. This mineral has the ability to expand when heated quickly to high temperatures. This quality of rapid expansion leaves a very low density material which can both absorb water, and act as an insulator.

Who Installed Vermiculite?

Generally speaking new builders weren’t using vermiculite. Homeowners were buying large bags of the material and simply dumping the bags onto the attic floor in their homes. Some even went as far as pouring the material into the walls of their homes for insulation. Because of its low cost it was very common and the houses built before 1990 might very well have vermiculite in them.

When Was Vermiculite Most Popular?

Starting in about the 1920’s vermiculite became a popular material in various industries. The baby boom increased the demand for homes and during the 1950’s vermiculite was a very popular insulation choice. During the energy crisis of the 1970’s it was also widely used. In fact CHIP programs afforded grants to install vermiculite to reduce energy costs.

Why Is Vermiculite Insulation Dangerous?

While vermiculite itself isn’t inherently dangerous the mine where the majority of it was mined contained another mineral. The mine that supplied nearly the whole world’s vermiculite supply in Libby, Montana also contained tremolite. Tremolite is a type of asbestos, which just about everyone now knows is dangerous. When the vermiculite was mined it carried with it portions of this asbestos.

Is There A Health Risk With Vermiculite?

While vermiculite itself isn’t the problem, the levels of termolite that was mined with the vermiculite can cause mesothelioma. The asbestos minerals have a tendency to divide and separate into microscopic airborne fibers. These fibers are easily inhaled, potentially not even being noticed. As with many types of dangerous materials the health effects are tied to duration of exposure. If proper respirators are worn and the areas are simply avoided the risks are not as high.

What Do I Do If I Think I have Vermiculite?

First and foremost you leave it alone. Don’t store anything in your attic or go up there and disturb the material. When the material is moved, swept, or disturbed the microscopic particles float into the air and can be breathed into the lungs. You can have the material tested by a private lab to verify if in fact there is asbestos in your attic. If you have can lighting that opens up holes into the attic it is very important to get this testing done.

If in fact you do have this dangerous attic insulation material it is important that you get qualified insulation removal technicians to do the job for you. They will have the correct training and safety equipment to get the job done and leave you home safer.

Phoenix Valley Insulation Removal

Older types of insulation can be dangerous to have in your home. They pose a respirator risk and prevent the use of space. If you are a resident in the Phoenix area and have either vermiculite insulation, or insulation that is either simply old and ineffective or has been damaged by rodents or water damage Barrier Insulation has you covered. We professionally remove old insulation, safely, to protect you and your family. Give us a call today if you have need of insulation removal services.

 

Rolled vs. Blown Insulation – Understanding Insulation

Rolled vs Blown Insulation Phoenix AZ

Insulation is in virtually every house in the United States. There are two basic types of insulation that are used, rolled and blow insulation. Both have their own advantages that make them preferable for one or another reason depending on the application. Some of the factors that help decide between them in commercial or residential situations depend on the area of the structure needing to be insulated and the budget available.

Rolled Bat Insulation

If you’ve been in many attics or built houses at all, you are intimately aware of rolled insulation. These fiberglass rolls are made in different dimensions. The width can be customized for the distance between studs and the depth can be variable, with the wider thicknesses offering greater R-values. Having different sizes of rolled insulation makes it possible to virtually have no waste and customize the insulation installation.

The areas in which rolled insulation can be used include the attics, crawl spaces, basements, floors, and even vaulted ceilings. There are a variety of facings (the paper backing), thicknesses and fiberglass qualities. This can be a factor when choosing which rolled insulation to buy as the better options will cost a little more.

Blown In Insulation

Being made from recycled materials blown in insulation has been widely used for many years. There are a variety of materials recycled to make this insulation. Some of those materials include denim, paper, recycled newspaper, or other cellulose materials. These blow in insulation materials are treated with fire retardant chemicals which help with fire safety. Thankfully the chemicals used for this fire safety are also non-toxic which makes them safe to have in our homes and near our heating and cooling ducts.

Because blown in insulation is made from reclaimed or recycled materials it is one of the most affordable options. It is durable, safe and can easily be distributed into the attic of your home or business. In addition blown in insulation can be blown into existing walls, adding an increased level of insulation.

Which Insulation Option Is Best?

Evaluating which insulation is best for one or another area of your home is the job of your local insulation professionals. They can help you choose which area is right for your home, as each home has a different layout. For example if you have a home that is prone to condensation during the winter having rolled insulation helps protect the cold roof from being exposed to warm moist air from inside the home. This protects the roof structure and helps it last longer.

In these attics insulation applications rolled also saves on waste. The widths of rolled bat insulation ordered can fit perfectly between the studs and be cut to length. This makes the installation quick and creates little waste. Conversely if you want to insulate the floor of your attic the blown in type of insulation is a great option. Many times there are odd crevices and uneven surfaces on the floor of attics and blow in insulation tends to get into these areas more effectively.

For customers wanting to add that insulation to existing walls, blown in insulation is a cost effective and fast option. Blown in insulation can be added to these walls with small, patchable holes in the drywall. This prevents having to completely remove and reapply the dry wall to get the rolled insulation into the walls.

Which Insulation Option Is Faster?

The answer to this question really depends on the job. If you are doing a new build or addition to an existing structure rolled insulation goes up very quickly if the drywall has not been done yet. It requires basic measuring and no special machines to blow the insulation into place. Generally its tacked up to the studs with a specialized staple gun.

For attic floors or walls that already have the drywall put up blown in insulation goes in much quicker. Generally adding blown in insulation to an attic can be done in a day, where rolled insulation could take considerably longer. It all really depends on your home or business and how the roof was built. The insulation company will be able to help you decide which is best for your home, and help you make a decision that is affordable and effective.

Which Insulation Is More Affordable?

When it comes right down to it there isn’t a huge difference between the cost of the materials. Which you choose will depend largely upon the area of your home that you need to insulate and what condition it is in. Having a professional install whichever material you choose carries with it a number of benefits. These experienced contractors know how to professionally install the insulation so it is effective. Many times there is also a warranty of workmanship that comes from the installer and some manufacturers warranty on the insulation itself.

Phoenix Insulation Services

Whether you’re building new, adding on, or just wanting to increase your home’s energy efficiency Barrier Insulation has you covered anywhere in the Phoenix valley. We will come inspect your home for ways it could save you money with better insulation, and help you affordably achieve your energy efficient home goals.

Barrier Insulation – 602-499-2922 or

Phoenix Insulation Experts

 

Insulation Costs 2016 | Spray Foam – Fiberglass Batts – Radiant – Blown-in

Insulation Cost Comparisons Phoenix

With different zones in your home that need to be insulated there are different types of insulation that will be used. There are 4 main types of insulation; we have provided insulation cost comparison information about each type.

Spray Foam Insulation Costs
Fiberglass Batt Insulation Costs
Radiant Insulation Costs
Blown-In Insulation Costs

Insulation Types

Depending on your insulation zone, budget, geographical location of your home and the current R-value of your home you will want to choose between the 4 main categories of insulation. Each has their own strengths. Some are longer lasting and higher R-values, some are just more cost effective.

Spray Foam Insulation Cost

Spray Foam Insulation Cost Phoenix
Houses that are built by even the most experienced contractors still can have gaps. And all houses after years of settling naturally end up with these spaces that allow air to escape, or enter your home. Spray foam insulation helps create a seal that traps the air inside your home. This keeps that air condoning in, and your energy bill low. The professional application of this type of insulation is generally calculated by the board foot.

Calculating Spray Foam Insulation Costs – First home owners need to be aware that there two types of spray foam insulation.

There is less costly, but less effective open cell spray foam insulation. Typically open cell spray foam insulation costs about 35 – 55 cents per board foot.

The closed cell spray foam insulation cost is higher, but so is its R-value. It can be one of the most effective insulation types, boasting an impressive R-6 per inch. The cost per board foot is around $1-2 dollars.

The formula for calculating these costs sq. ft x depth in inches = board feet. Establish with your insulation contractor the current cost per board foot. Chemical costs can fluctuate, and the costs of spray foam insulation can follow.

So it really just depends on how much space you have to cover, and which spray foam insulation type you can afford. Open cell is less costly, but you will see greater savings with closed cell spray foam. Over the long term the energy savings can really add up and pay for the additional cost of closed cell spray foam.

Fiberglass Batts Insulation Cost

Fiberglass Batts Insulation Cost Phoenix
When your walls are still open during construction or remodeling fiberglass can be one of least costly ways to insulate. Fiberglass batts are also a great option for attic insulation. The installation is fairly straightforward; however a loose corner or torn backing can drastically reduce the actual R-value efficiency. These batts are designed and produced with the common stud widths. They are set in place and many times secured with staple guns.

Common costs for fiberglass insulation batts are between 64¢ and  $1.19 per square foot.  Depending on the insulation company the cost of labor for installing the insulation can vary between $150 to $300. It just depends on how much area needs to be covered what the access to the attic like. It also depends on what R-value of batt you choose to use. Discuss the specifics with your local insulation experts.

Radiant Barrier Insulation Cost

Radiant Barrier Insulation Cost Phoenix
Typically installed in attics to battle either the winter cold, or more specifically the heat for Arizona radiant barrier insulation can really help keep those energy bills lower. Radiant barrier is different in its design, yet identical in its objective. Most insulation works by slowing the heat down as it tries to transfer through the insulation material. The thermodynamic principle that radiant barriers capitalize on isn’t a matter of slowing, but reflecting. Much like those emergency blankets you might have seen the highly reflective coatings work by turning heat around and sending it off in another direction.

Costs for radiant or reflective barriers can be about 15 to 30 cents per square foot. Depending on access and environmental considerations the cost for the job including labor for a 500 square foot attic might run anywhere from $500 to $750 dollars. Again, having an inspection and getting quote from your local Phoenix insulation expert will help you have a more accurate idea of what it will cost to get your home more energy efficient.

Blown-In Insulation Cost

Blown-In Insulation Cost Phoenix
Being a cellulose product it is typically made up of reclaimed or recycled cardboard of newspapers. Blown-in insulation has been used for decades and is fairly common in our homes. It’s widely used across the varied climates of the United States and has a higher than average R-value. Its specific R-value depends on its application or installation. The thicker it’s applied the higher the R-value.

It is installed with a mechanical blower. The blower is hooked up to a box of the material, and then the blower is pointed in the direction insulation is needed. One of the most common types of blown-in insulation materials is borate treated class 1 insulation. It is moisture resistant and the use of borate helps keep vermin and insects at bay.

Costs for blown-in insulation can vary depending on the attic, but generally for the pros to come and do the installation you can be looking anywhere from $1,500 – $2,000. It really depends again on how the access to your attic is, and how large an area you need insulated.

House Insulation Zones Affect Cost

Homes have different areas or zones that need to be insulated for a whole home approach. Insulating all the zones correctly gives homeowners the maximum energy savings. The types of insulation used in the different areas are different and have different costs. Places like attics, walls, garages and so on have different requirements to be insulated properly. The average home in the United States is two-story and measures around 2,500 square feet.

Roof Insulation – Sealing a roof is a critical step in your home’s energy efficiency. It’s not just about keeping the air in, but keeping water out. Places like soffit vents, and roof gaps need to be sealed up to keep the attic dry. Moisture will eventually degrade insulation and render it useless. Properly insulated attics help in both summer and winter. They keep the attic cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Having that space between your roof and living space helps keep your living areas comfortable and drastically reduces energy costs.

Wall Insulation – While the best way for walls to be insulated is before the walls have their sheetrock up, a lot of home owners are improving houses that have already been finished and lived in. For new construction closed cell spray foam insulation is the most effective insulator. On the other hand for homeowners who want to improve the insulation of an existing structure blown in insulation can be a great option. A small hole can be cut in the sheetrock, insulation blown in, and then a patch be made where you’d never know the wall was opened.

Insulating Crawl Spaces – These spaces have a need to be well ventilated. This helps cut down on the moisture. Many times crawl spaces are insulated with batting. This means that depending on the size of your crawl space you could be spending as little as $3 for a roll of insulation. Larger spaces will obviously cost more and more material and many hours are needed to install the insulation.

Insulated Garage Doors – A great DIY project for a home owner can be insulating a garage door. Kits can be bought for around $200. Only taking a few hours to install the garage door insulation will help keep your garage a more even temperature. This will help keep your house energy costs down too as the garage will be another open space that is insulated, like your attic, that keeps the heat out.

Phoenix Insulation Professionals

If you’ve got an insulation project you need done, Barrier Insulation is the Phoenix source for affordable insulation installation. Barrier even has an insulation removal service to get all that old, useless insulation out of your home before new insulation is installed.

Barrier Insulation – 602-499-2922

 

Energy Smart Homes in Phoenix

Energy Smart Homes in Phoenix

A common sense guide for saving energy

With cooling and heating being some of the largest factors on our electricity bill each month having energy smart homes in Phoenix is a must. At its most basic level, shelter is meant to keep the elements away from us. That’s not just the rain and snow, but the cold and heat. We all know that some people still live in igloos, or huts in the desert climates. Here in Phoenix we have become ever so slightly more sophisticated. This means that having energy efficient homes comes down to more than keeping the door closed. It takes planning in material planning for the construction of your home and improvement as these materials wears out.

Designed For Energy Efficiency

If you’re building a new home you’ve probably been dreaming of all the amenities. Things like those vaulted ceilings, picture windows, and rainstorm showers. With all utilities on the rise diverting some of the savings or building planning budget towards more energy efficient designs will pay you back each and every year to come.

New technology is coming out all the time as builders and manufacturers are constantly trying to have the upper hand. Better UV glass windows, additional panes in the windows and better insulation materials all mean lower energy costs in our Phoenix homes.

Energy Efficient Site Planning

Assuming that you’re doing a new build home, you might have enough room on your plot of land to decide how the house will sit and where. One of the biggest decisions you have to make is which windows will be facing South, or the rising sun. Many home owners are up early and opt to have the sun shine onto their bedroom windows. Facing your less heating and air conditioning sensitive rooms south means utilizing your air conditioning system or heating system less. Another consideration is if you are going to install solar panels or solar thermal panels. Planning in advance to maximize their sun exposure and performance will help reduce your dependence on the utility company.

Qualified Quality Installation

You can save a buck going with the lowest builder or insulation contractor. But you are going to pay more in energy costs over the life of your home and end up spending a lot more in the long run. It’s not a matter of it being difficult to slam some insulation into a floor or attic. It’s about doing it correctly to create a thermal barrier. How the spray foam, batting, or whichever insulation choice fits your budget is applied is the deciding factor on if you will get a nice fat monthly reminder that you could have hired a better insulation contractor.

Improving Existing Homes Energy Efficiency

If you bought a home or if you home is just getting older you might have to look at upgrading to one of the new insulation options. With better understanding of how to keep homes cool in Phoenix your local insulation contractors have better tools at their disposal now than ever before. The new technologies seal the house better, stopping your expensive conditioned air from just happily seeping outside. The materials are also much more effective. Inspecting other areas like single pane windows and weather stripping on doors is a great way to make sure you are living energy efficient. This does more than just reduce the demand on the power grid, but it leaves more money in your wallet and keeps your home more comfortable.

Phoenix Insulation Experts

When it comes to helping you build a home that will save you thousands, or upgrading your existing home to be more energy efficient Barrier Insulation has you covered anywhere in the Phoenix Valley.

Give us a call today at 602-499-2922 or

 

Best Type Of Insulation For Basement Walls

best insulation types for basement walls spray foam

The best type of insulation for basement walls is any type that stops moisture movement and prevents mold and mildew growth. Basements host the perfect location type for foam insulation products. Cellulose insulation is a great option for basements but for the sake of this article we will only be talking about foam insulation.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is one of the most popular types of insulation on the market and is the best material for insulating basements and other damp areas like bathrooms or kitchens. Closed cell spray foam insulation is great for sealing out water vapor that tries to get inside your basement walls. Spray foam has many benefits including vapor barrier, covers wires, pipes and other utilities and also provides good R values. The only downfall to spray foam is that its more expensive than other types of insulation for now but in the future it will be come for cost effective. It’s also very messy, but the insulation company that will blow the insulation in your walls should provide clean up for it as well. If you are trying this as DIY insulation installation project, good luck!

Foam Board Insulation

The 2nd best insulation for basements is using foam board insulation. This is a common type of insulation used by insulation installers but is also a type of insulation DIYers are more likely able to handle. It’s also more affordable than spray foam insulation and a little more attractive but unless you plan on leaving your walls exposed, no one will know what type of insulation is inside of them.

The only problem with foam board is choosing the right thickness. Also, sealing to create a vapor barrier is something that should be left to the experts. However, 2 to 4 inches of foam board insulation should be an adequate thickness for nearly any type of basement. Also, using a spray foam to seal up all the cracks around the bottom of the foam board and around the utilities is recommended with this type of insulation. Only a small amount will be needed though.

Fiberglass & Hybrid Foam Insulation

The 3rd and final method of insulating your basement is using a hybrid system of fiberglass and foam board. The is the cheapest possible insulation method for your basement but should only be used if your basement doesn’t have any current signs of water damage or infiltration. This method should never be used if your basement has a history of water leaks, damage, issues etc… Also, this type of insulation does not create as tight of a vapor barrier as foam board or spray foam insulation.

Basement Insulation Conclusion

Not all basements can be turned into an acceptable finsihed space. Too many time have people tried to finish a basement with insulation when it really needs major foundational work or structural repairs. If your basement has history of water problems or flooding, you might want to get an inspection of your home before adding on insulation to walls just to make sure you are the perfect candidate for insulation. The main goal of adding foam insulation is to separate the block framing from the damp concrete or old insulation products that can create mold growth.