HOW WELL IS YOUR ATTIC INSULATIED?

  Benefits of Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

· Powerful Insulator. Spray foam insulation works far better than other popular types of insulation. ...

· Incredible Energy Savings. ...

· Air-tight Seal. ...

· Moisture Barrier. ...

· Deters Mold. ...

· Long Life-Span. ...

· Eco-Friendly.

In addition to building temperature and moisture control, spray foam insulation is often used to reduce noise. ... Some types including spray foams also seal air leaks. Insulation can also save energy in hot climates by reducing air conditioning use.

Cellulose insulation is the oldest form of home insulation. It can be either a loose-fill or blown-in insulation and can be used in both new and existing homes. Modern cellulose insulation is made from either 75 to 85 percent ground up recycled paper or recycled denim. It is heavily treated – around 15 percent by volume – with boric acid, borax or ammonium sulfate. While these chemicals aren’t known to be hazardous to people, they can be effective flame retardants and help reduce issues with pests.

Typical places to use cellulose is in enclosed existing walls, open new walls, and unfinished attic floors. Several companies manufacture cellulose insulation and it is primarily made from recycled newsprint. These small particles form an insulation material that conforms to most spaces without disturbing the structure or finish. 

Dense pack cellulose is used more commonly today for adding retrofit insulation. The dense packing into the wall cavities adds a thermal insulation while providing some level of sound proofing.

Wet spray cellulose has water added to it during the application process. The material has the same thermal and sound retardant properties as dense packing, according to the blog. Wet spray cellulose is almost always installed in new construction before the drywall is put up.

 Cellulose insulation can be used in both existing homes and new construction. It can be blown as loose fill insulation in attic cavities, dense packed into walls and floors, or wet spray for new construction that helps increase heat retention and has the potential to dampen noise levels, according to the Energy Audit Blog. 

The fastest and most affordable method to improve the indoor comfort of your home is spray foam. Out of all the insulation materials, spray foam reigns supreme in terms of not only dramatically reducing infiltration from allergy-causing irritants but also maintaining temperature and reducing noise transmission. One crucial aspect of Spray foam insulation is its easy, drip-free application and unique expansion properties upon contact which allows it to fill even the tiniest of cracks located within your home. This process creates an air barrier that lasts a long time, keeping your home protected from the hazards of the outside world. Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows the despair that comes along with congestion, itchy and watery eyes, coughs, endless sneezing, and sniffles. Most find solace in the protection their home provides from the billions of tiny pollen grains and dust particles that flow through the air each day. Low or poor-quality insulation leaves your home exposed to the outside air and allergens that can trigger allergy or asthma attacks. Indoor air quality is not only important for allergy sufferers but for those with asthma whose symptoms are intensified by pollen and dust.

 Avoid Dirty Airflow:

Removing old and dirty insulation with a strong vacuum is a crucial first step when trying to effectively lower the amount of dirty air that flows throughout your house. Over the years, contaminants such as bacteria, pollen, animal droppings, and other pollutants collect within insulation leaving it in a dirty mess after some time passes. It can be nauseating to consider how many particles of contaminated air flow through your family’s home due to this unclean insulation. Many families are experiencing this without even being aware of it.

Avoid pesky animals from getting into your attic.

 Once you find and remove animals, then cleaning out the insulation with fecal matter is important to prevent breathing bacteria.   it is also important that you seal any entry holes that were being used by the animals to get in and out of the attic. This will often require a thorough examination, but it is well worth the effort to examine every corner of the attic. When it comes to sealing these holes, a sealant will work on the smaller holes, but for larger repairs or damage, it is worth reinforcing any repairs with a steel mesh to make it particularly difficult for any other animals to gain access by the same method. .