Frequently Asked Questions

Insulation FAQs

• What are my insulation options?

  There are many different types of insulation—we install:

  • Radiant barrier
  • Fiberglass
  • Spray foam (new construction)
  • Cellulose (new construction)

• Where in my home should I insulate?

  An insulation professional will be able to tell you where you need to install insulation, but in general, we insulate:

  • Attics
  • Walls
  • Crawl spaces

• What does R-value mean?

  The R-value of insulation is its measurement of resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation material.

• How much insulation do I need to install?

  The amount of insulation you need will depend on a few different factors, including:

  • The size of your home
  • The type of HVAC systems you have
  • The climate you live in

• What are the benefits of insulation?

  The biggest reason to install insulation is the energy savings. Besides helping you save money and increase the energy efficiency of your home, insulation can help reduce noise and improve interior comfort levels.

• How are new construction and retrofit insulation different?

  New construction insulation is installed in new homes and buildings being constructed. A retrofit (re-insulation) project refers to installing insulation in existing homes and buildings. There is generally no difference in terms of insulation materials used for new construction vs. retrofit.

• What is blanket insulation?

  Blanket insulation—a commonly used type of insulation—comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, usually fiberglass. Batts and rolls can also be made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep’s wool.

• How much can insulation save me?

  The amount of insulation energy savings you’ll see depends on the insulation materials you use, the area of your home you insulate, the size of your house, etc.

• Do I need more attic insulation?

  Can you see your floor joists in the attic (the wooden beams running across the floor)? If the insulation is level with or below the joists, you may need to re-insulate the attic. Other signs include:

  • Higher than normal energy bills
  • Unusually warm second story
  • Ice dams on the roof
  • Snow melting too quickly off the roof

• When should I remove insulation?

  In some cases, insulation can be added over existing layers, but there are times when insulation should be removed. When insulation is old or damaged (by mold, insects, water, fire, etc.), it should be completely replaced.

• What is the difference between batt and blown fiberglass?

  Batt insulation is the type of insulation that comes in large fiberglass rolls. “Blown-in” refers to a method of installation—blown-in insulation is installed with a special blowing device.

• What is spray foam made of?

  Spray foam consists of two liquid chemical components, made up of isocyanates and flame retardants. It is made by mixing and reacting the chemicals to create the foam.

• How does insulation help reduce outside noise?

  Insulation reduces the transmission of sound from one area by creating a barrier that absorbs vibrations between the sources of the noise and surrounding areas.

• Can all types of insulation help reduce outside noise?

  Not every type of insulation is ideal for reducing outside noises. Cellulose, fiberglass and foam insulation are great choices if you are interested in soundproofing benefits.

• Can insulation be reused?

  Cellulose can often be completely recovered and reused on site, leaving hardly any excess material to go to waste. Fiberglass can also be reclaimed from demolition debris and recycled into a new product.

• What kind of insulation is best for a shipping container?

  Spray foam insulation will likely offer the highest insulation value for your shipping container. Why? The spray foam is spread across the entire surface of the cargo container walls, leaving no openings between the insulation material and the wall of the container. This form of insulation can ultimately help your cargo container avoid problems with condensation and moisture infiltration.

• If I want to save space in my shipping container, what type of insulation should I use?

  Rigid foam insulation will be your best bet. The installation process involves either gluing the panels directly to the container’s walls or screwing the panels into the flat bar mounted to the walls of the container. This type of insulation can free up inches of sidewall and ceiling space.

• How will insulation help my shipping container?

  Insulation can help improve the energy efficiency of your cargo unit as well as keep corrosion and mold issues at bay. Additionally, insulation can improve the overall condition of your shipping container.