Although most homeowners nowadays are aware of asbestos and the dangers associated with it, that was not always the case, especially before the 1980s. If your residential or commercial property was built during the 20th century, you are at a higher risk for asbestos exposure. Keep reading to learn about what asbestos is, the danger it poses, and the different types of insulation that most commonly contain the harmful substance. What is Asbestos Insulation & is it Dangerous? Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. The structure of these fibers are extremely effective at slowing the transfer of heat, which is why it was so commonly used as a home insulator; these fibers are also resistant to electricity and corrosion. However, asbestos is a highly toxic material. If you are exposed to asbestos, it can lead to a multitude of health complications and diseases, including cancer. One of the most common dangers of asbestos exposure is a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Other asbestos-related diseases include: Pleural Effusions Pleural Plaques Pleuritis Diffuse Pleural Thickening COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Lung Cancer Ovarian Cancer Laryngeal Cancer Types of Insulation that Commonly Contains Asbestos 1. Loose-fill Insulation: This type of insulation is most commonly made with asbestos. You can identify this type of insulation by its fluffy consistency and loose, lumpy form. 2. Vermiculite Insulation: This type of insulation is one of the most common household materials containing asbestos. You can identify it by its pebble-like appearance and its grayish-brown or silvery-gold color. 3. Zonolite Insulation: Until 1990, raw vermiculite that was contaminated with asbestos was taken...
When it comes to building a new home or renovating your current one, most homeowners are looking for ways to save them money. Luckily, adding insulation to your home is one of the most efficient ways to not only lower your monthly energy bills, but to also make your home more energy efficient. In most cases, the attic is the easiest place to add insulation, making it a great starting place. Keep reading to find out the benefits to insulating your home’s attic. How Does Insulation Work? Naturally, air flows from warmer areas to cooler ones. During the winter, warm air tries to escape to the cooler air outside, while the hot air makes its way into your cool home during the summer months. Insulation works by limiting air movement throughout the home. Insulation works by trapping air, preventing the heat from escaping from one place to the next. It is rated in terms of thermal resistance (R-value), which tells you how resistant to heat the insulation is. The higher the R-value is, the better the insulation is at preventing hot air from escaping. Benefits of Insulating Your Attic Adding insulation to the attic can make a huge difference in the comfort of your home. Here are some of the top benefits of adding attic insulation. Saves Money on Your Energy Bill On average, heating and cooling account for 50-70% of the energy used in American homes. When your home is not insulated, you’ll be spending even more money to maintain comfortable temperatures in your home. Proper attic insulation reduces airflow so that you don’t require as much energy...
When you’re trying to relax in the comfort of your own home, the last thing that you want to hear is all the noise going on outside. From home construction to cars passing by to busy city streets, today’s houses are noisier than ever! If this is the case for you, you’re probably looking for the best option to soundproof your home. Keep reading to learn more about how insulating your home can help make your home much quieter. What is Insulation? Insulation is a material used to insulate something, such as a building or a home. Most commonly, insulation works by slowing conductive heat flow and convective heat flow. Installing the proper home insulation can help to make your home more energy efficient, while also significantly lowering your monthly energy bills. Can Insulation Reduce Noise in Your Home? To answer your question, yes, insulation can help to reduce noise inside your home. Although installing insulation for soundproofing purposes is beneficial for any home, it is extremely beneficial for those who live in a city or high-traffic areas where noises tend to be a lot louder. By creating a barrier between the source of noise and adjacent areas and absorbing vibrations, insulation can help to effectively reduce noise in your home. Not all insulation types work for soundproofing. Below you can read more about the best types of insulation for soundproofing your home. What is the Best Type of Insulation to Soundproof Your Home? If you are looking to use insulation as a way to soundproof your home, fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam insulation are all great options. Open-cell...
With the hot summer months quickly approaching and with the price of everything steadily rising, you are probably looking for ways to save money. Choosing an efficient type of insulation for your home is a great way to save money on your monthly electric bills, but you might not know which type of insulation is the best choice for you. There are several things to keep in mind when choosing which insulation is the best option for your home or business, such as the expenses, whether it is fire retardant, or whether it can fit into the small hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Keep reading to learn more about two of the main types of insulation used in homes today: spray foam and fiberglass insulation. What is Spray Foam Insulation? Spray foam is a spray-on insulation product. It helps to seal walls, floors, cracks and gaps, and ceiling cavities against air movement and helps to increase moisture control. Spray foam insulation also acts as both an insulation and an air sealant. The majority of spray foam insulation is made from polyurethane foam; this is the same material that goes into Memory Foam mattresses and other furniture. Spray foam insulation must be applied by a professional to ensure that it is properly completed. However, spray foam is significantly more efficient than that of fiberglass insulation. In extreme cold temperatures, your house does not lose heat with spray foam, whereas fiberglass insulation allows heat to escape quickly in those conditions. Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Spray foam is a cellular plastic that creates a foam when sprayed...
When thinking about what you want in your next home purchase, would you prefer to have a home that wastes energy? Absolutely not! Buying a home that is insulated with spray foam not only saves you money on your energy bills but it also can give you peace of mind that the home is structurally stronger, quieter, cozier, and has cleaner air to breathe! Oftentimes, one cannot make all of the money they put into home renovations back when selling a house. However, spray foam insulation is one upgrade that actually can increase the property’s value! Keep reading to find out how spray foam insulation can increase your home’s value. 1- It enhances efficiency. Spray foam insulation can help to increase the home’s energy efficiency, which increases the property’s value. It not only reduces your monthly energy bills, but it is a great eco-friendly way to reduce your carbon footprint. Spray foam insulation is a high-effective option for reducing the amount of energy a home consumes. By decreasing the amount of energy the temperature control system consumes, your monthly energy bill can also decrease by up to 40% each month! 2- It adds protection to the home. Another way that spray foam insulation can increase a home’s value is by providing home protection. Closed-cell spray foam insulation, for example, can help to prevent water damage, significantly reducing the risk of bacteria and rot in a home, thus preserving its value. Because this type of insulation is incredibly dense and hardens to the areas in which it’s applied, spray foam insulation also improves the structural integrity of the home, making...
One of the best ways to save money on your monthly electric bills is by choosing an efficient type of insulation for your home. Spray foam insulation has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners in recent years for several reasons, including its ability to deter moisture and the fact that it is environmentally friendly, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet. Another major benefit to spray foam insulation is that it is resistant to mold and other bacteria! Pros vs. Cons of Spray Foam Insulation Spray foam insulation is a cellular plastic that creates a foam when sprayed and is considered to be a high-performance product by professionals. It insulates, acts as an air sealant, and a moisture barrier. Just like with any form of insulation, using spray foam insulation has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: One of the major advantages of spray foam insulation is that the foam is flexible and adheres to any surface on which it is sprayed, allowing it to fill the hard-to-reach cracks, crevices, and corners in the home. Spray foam is also resistant to mold and mildew. It also stays in place over time, unlike fiberglass sheets or cellulose insulation which often settle over time. Other advantages include lower electric bills, no need for a vapor barrier to be installed, and it provides an air-tight seal to prevent heat loss. Disadvantages: A major con of spray foam insulation is the expense. Because spray foam must be installed by a professional and can often use more material, the cost of using spray foam is generally two to three times the...
