INSULATION

Blown In Fiberglass

Typically used to insulate attics and can be added over existing attic insulation. It has an R Value of around R 3 per inch. R 49 is the recommendation for attic insulation in our climate zone, which is around 16 inches. The product we use is lightweight, noncombustible, noncorrosive and odor free. It doesn’t settle, contains no chemicals to cause mildew or fungus growth, contains no formaldehyde or asbestos and won’t decay or absorb moisture.

Fiberglass Batt

Typically used to insulate walls, but has a wide variety of uses. Batts come either faced or unfaced and the thickness determines their R value. When used to insulate attic knee walls an air barrier must be installed over the batt on the unfinished side. This is to prevent “wind washing” of the insulation which greatly reduces its R Value.

Flash & Batt

This is a combination of closed cell spray foam and fiberglass insulation. The closed cell foam acts as an air sealer prior to the installation of batts. In some applications this hybrid method can be beneficial.

Spray Foam

There are two types of spray foam insulation, open cell and closed cell. Closed cell has the greater R Value per inch than open-cell. Most closed cell foams are around R 6.0 per inch, while most open cell foams are much lower at R 3.6 per inch. Closed cell foam is an air barrier, and open cell is not.

Cellulose

Most of today’s Cellulose insulation is made up of recycled paper and denim heavily treated with boric acid, borax, or ammonia sulfate. Cellulose is prone to settling, as much as 20 percent of its installed thickness. Cellulose is also much heavier, weighing several times more than fiberglass, which is an important consideration when insulating an attic above a drywall ceiling.

Dense Pack

Dense packing, or sometimes called “drill and plug” is the process of blowing cellulose or fiberglass loose fill in an enclosed cavity, such as an existing wall, under pressure. Dense packing can be an effective retrofit method to address existing walls that have no, or greatly settled insulation. Dense packing also reduces air infiltration as it is tightly packed. You will see this done to improve garage ceilings with room above.

RIGID Foam Board

Closed cell rigid foam board insulation are sheets, or “boards” of polystyrene or polyiso foam. It comes in a variety of thicknesses and R values and can be used as exterior sheathing and to insulate basement and crawl space walls. Certain products are rated for ground contact and are used beneath basement concrete floors and on the exterior of foundation wall.