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Dana Zurbuchen

Why Should I Use Spray Foam Insulation in Auburn?

By News

Winters in Auburn can be cold and wet, while the summers are long, hot and muggy. Depending on the time of year, you can build up a sweat or freeze while cheering on your favorite team. But that shouldn’t be inside your home!

If you’ve noticed higher electric bills, drafty rooms or lots of noise from the neighbors next door, it may be time to upgrade your home’s insulation. Having proper insulation can make a big difference in the quality of your home and your time spent there.

There are a variety of insulation types used in homes: fiberglass, cellulose and spray foam. Each type offers its own unique benefits and uses, but the most popular insulation installation choice in Auburn is spray foam insulation.

Spray foam insulation or spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a versatile, convenient insulation solution. Created by mixing two fast-reacting liquids, it expands to create a foam that fills cracks and gaps throughout your home, in places such as attics, walls and ceilings.

Types of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation comes in two forms: open cell and closed cell. Open cell spray foam costs less than closed cell spray foam but is less dense, with a lower R-value per square inch. This means it needs to be applied in a thicker layer, making it great for larger spaces such as attics, ceilings and floor joists.

Closed cell spray foam insulation is denser than open cell foam and needs a thinner layer to provide an excellent air and moisture barrier in your home. It also strengthens the walls and ceilings of your home.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

There are many reasons why spray foam insulation is the most popular choice for insulation installation in Auburn homes. When spray foam is sprayed it instantly bonds to whatever it touches. It seeps down into the nooks and crannies of your home to fill in every crack and crevice that might be leaking air or allowing in moisture.

Once sprayed, the foam insulation hardens creating an air and moisture barrier that will retain its strength, shape, and durability for many years to come.

Here are some eye-opening benefits of choosing spray foam insulation for your home:

  1. Deters moisture, preventing mold and mildew – Spray foam adheres to every nook and cranny and then hardens, creating a moisture barrier to keep your home nice and dry.
  2. Saves you money by lowering your electric bills – Spray foam acts as a barrier for both water and air, allowing your HVAC system to work less to keep your home at a consistent temperature throughout the year, significantly lowering your energy bills.
  3. Improves indoor air quality – Spray foam prevents pollutants and allergens from entering your home, creating cleaner and more breathable air.
  4. Reduces sound – Spray foam acts as a sound barrier for exterior walls to keep outside noises out and interior walls to lower the noise between rooms.
  5. Easy to install and long-lasting – It is dried and ready within a day. Our expert team of spray foam insulation contractors in Auburn use a spray foam gun to spray insulation into needed areas, even hard-to-reach places. And it lasts for decades without losing its effectiveness, strength or shape.
  6. Is environmentally friendly – Consume less materials over time due to spray foam’s longevity and reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less energy.
  7. Strengthens your home – The density of spray foam gives your home an extra layer of protection from the outside elements and creates sturdier walls, increasing the quality and safety of your home.
  8. Keeps creepy crawlies and rodents out – Spray foam insulation fills in the tiny cracks and crevices in your home that bugs and rodents like to use as entryways and creates a barrier to prevent them from entering your home.

Choosing the Best Insulation for your Home

Spray foam insulation is a worthy investment for any home. Even though the up-front cost is higher than traditional insulation, you save money over time with lower electric bills.

At EcoLogical Insulation, we have been providing Auburn homeowners with the highest quality spray foam insulation installation services since 2008. We pride ourselves on being the best spray foam contractors in Auburn and strive to provide exemplary customer service and spray foam insulation installation to all our Auburn customers. Contact us today to lean more.

spray foam insulation installation

For Ultimate Comfort – Spray Foam Insulation is Best for Auburn, Alabama

By News

For homes and businesses in and around Auburn, the weather is an ongoing challenge to year-round comfort. In the winter, the heat is abandoning your home through unseen or unnoticeable gaps and cracks. In the summer, the typical Auburn heat and humidity is creeping back into your cool house. As a result, your energy inefficiency is diminished and your utility bills – and personal comfort – are unpleasant.

If you are tired of the battle, spray foam insulation is your answer.

spray foam insulationSpray foam insulation is a mixture of liquid ingredients that produce a foam-like substance used by spray foam insulation contractors in Auburn, AL. Once it’s applied, the spray foam expands quickly, filling in even the most minor cracks and gaps. The foam hardens to create a strong barrier, designed to tackle your ongoing rivalry with the weather. The EcoLogical Insulation’s contractors in Auburn use two types of spray foam insulation:

Open-cell spray foam – this building insulation product dries with an open-particle finish. This product allows moisture to distribute evenly, provides an R-value (the resistance to heat loss or heat gain) of 3.8 per inch, has a low density, and improves acoustics between walls, floors, and ceilings. Because of the open-cell structure, minimal coverage of 3.75” is needed to achieve its ideal R-value.

Closed-cell spray foam – is a building insulation product with a firmer finish once applied and dried. This high density foam reduces air infiltration and air movement between indoors and outdoors. Its open-cavity structure enhances building strength and provides an R-value of 7 per inch. Only closed-cell spray foam creates a fully sealed system that acts as an air and vapor barrier, with coverage of 1.5”.

Other Spray Foam Insulation Benefits:

  • Adaptable to most structural surfaces including horizontal, vertical, and overhead surfaces.
  • Ideal for sealing cracks in the foundation and the attic.
  • The preferred product for sealing around windows and doors.
  • Ability to coat uneven surfaces, tight spaces, curves, and corners.
  • Excellent gap and air sealing.
  • More mold resistant than fiberglass or cellulose insulation.
  • Has a life expectancy of 80 years.
  • Resistant to rodent contamination and damage.
  • Improves building moisture control.
  • Even temperature distribution throughout your home or business.
  • Helpful as a noise barrier.

With several insulation options to choose from, spray foam is the most effective way to increase your energy efficiency and reduce your utility bills. The spray foam insulation contractors in Auburn are ready to bring savings and comfort to you. Contact our office to discuss your project with us.

What to Look for When Choosing an Insulation Contractor

By News

Your home or business is a huge investment so it is vital to ensure the comfort of those living or working in this space. As a result, energy efficiency and reduced utility bills may have you seeking insulation contractors in Auburn, Alabama. While you may be tempted to choose the first home insulation contractor that appears on Google, use this checklist to help guide your choice.

Understanding of Building Science. Just as the human body has many systems to function optimally, so does your home or business. Your insulation contractor will know how each home system functions in order to provide the best options and installation for your insulating needs. They will be able to speak clearly about your home’s overall energy performance and answer questions about topics like air-sealing, ventilation, and air quality.

Offers Professional Consultation. The process should begin with an expert review of the home or business from top to bottom, an energy audit if necessary, and recommendations for improvement – before payment is made or work begins.

Knows How To Install In New And Existing Homes. The contractor should have know-how and experience working with a variety of exteriors – wood, siding, brick, shingles or cement block – without causing costly or unsightly damage.

Certifications, Licensing, Insurance, and Training. Home insulation contractors and commercial insulation contractors should possess the documentation necessary to verify their expertise. This helps ensure the contractor knows how to expertly evaluate insulation in existing or new structures, recommend upgrades, and effectively install the product. Additionally, your contractor will follow industry standards for dealing with insulation materials, disposing of old insulation, and knowing how to handle risk factors like asbestos and mold.

Check References and Reviews.  Avoid rushing into choosing a home insulation contractor by reading customer reviews and comments. You will learn a lot through reading client feedback and how the contractor responds to them.

Knowledge of Codes and Permits. When choosing a commercial insulation contractor or spray foam insulation contractor, don’t hesitate to ask if their company knows the building codes and required permits for your area. Their knowledge is your knowledge!

Customer Care. Your insulation contractor will listen to your needs, patiently address questions or concerns, and will provide the best product for your long-term goals – not trying to sell their top (most expensive) product.

A Note on Spray Foam Contractors. When seeking a spray foam insulation contractor, there are a few special issues your contractor should know about. Ask what specialized training and credentials they possess and what are the codes and permits needed for your area?

Quality Products. Homeowners and businesses alike will want quality insulation products, superior workmanship, and installers. Ask which companies provide their insulation products, what special features do each possess, and what is the life-expectancy for these products?

Insulating your home or business is not a task to take lightly, so these guidelines will help you choose the insulation contractor that will serve you and your home for the life of the structure.

Be cool!

EcoLogical Insulation in Auburn, Alabama was founded in 2008 to provide top quality residential and commercial insurance installation services throughout Alabama. We are committed to serving our communities with energy-saving insulation using the highest quality variations of spray foam, cellulose, and fiberglass insulation. We are well-known for our professional technicians and our quality installation services. Contact us today!

 

How Spray Foam Insulation Works

By News

Air leaks occur naturally as a result of the construction process. They are found around areas like windows, doors, vents, outlets, plumbing penetrations, and HVAC mechanicals. Air leaks allow conditioned indoor air to escape and unconditioned outdoor air to enter. This uncontrolled air transfer affects energy bills, home comfort, and indoor air quality.

In one step spray foam insulation insulates and seals air leaks in homes, businesses and commercial buildings. Spray foam insulation expands during application, not unlike how shaving cream expands when dispensed. When spray foam expands it fills cracks, crevices and penetration points in a cavity, expanding to seal these gaps. With one application your home, office or commercial building is insulated and air sealed.

For years it was believed that air leaks were important for adequate home ventilation. Today’s building science proves uncontrolled air leaks can cause too much air to enter or leave the home which can result in poor indoor air quality and increased energy bills. Spray foam insulation seals uncontrolled air leaks after which mechanical ventilation can be installed to properly manage air exchanges.

Contact our office to learn more about how spray foam insulation works and if spray foam insulation is right for your next project.

Insulation contractor installing fiberglass insulation

Selecting the Right Insulation Contractor for Your Home Project

By News

When you need to find the best contractor for your home insulation job, it is difficult to know where to start. You want to find a reputable company who will be available for any post-project follow-up if any issues arise. You also want to trust them to arrive at the scheduled time and to do the job correctly in a timely manner.

You don’t want to hire the insulation contractor who shows up first on a Google search. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

  • Insulation experience. Make sure your contractor has experience in residential insulation. Ask for work history and references; contact the references.
  • Professional installation. The first step should be an expert in-home consultation that includes a comprehensive inspection of your home and proposal for improvement.
  • License and insurance. A reputable insulation contractor will carry the right license and insurance to do work on your home. If you have any doubt, ask!
  • Customer focused. The right contractor will return you calls promptly, answer all your questions to your satisfaction and thoroughly explain your project estimate.
  • Building science. A knowledgeable insulation contractor will have a broad understanding of building science including: energy performance, air sealing, mechanical ventilation and indoor air quality.
  • Industry standards. The contractor you select should comply with industry standards for working with insulation materials including proper disposal of old insulation and proper handling of factors such as mold and asbestos.

EcoLogical Insulation in Auburn, Alabama has extensive insulation experience, is current on new insulation technologies, is properly licensed and insured, and provides excellent customer service. If you are ready to schedule a free estimate for your home insulation project, contact our office today.

spray foam insulation installation

Why Spray Foam?

By News

If you’re not familiar with the benefits of spray foam insulation, we’re here to help! Like other insulation products such as fiberglass insulation and cellulose insulation, spray foam insulation reduces heat transfer between spaces in a home. Spray foam insulation goes a step further by sealing air leaks in one step to prevent conditioned air from escaping.

Why does this matter?

Air leaks exist around the building envelope – the outermost layer of the home (exterior walls, rooflines, etc.). Air can leak through penetration points that are found around recessed lights, plumbing stacks, electrical wires, attic hatches/doors, chimneys and more. When air leaks are sealed, conditioned air you’ve already paid for stays inside your home. This results in your HVAC system working less and more money in your pocket.

When installing spray foam insulation, the building cavity is insulated and air sealed in one pass. This means one installation provides the thermal barrier and seals penetration points. Air sealing can be performed in combination with other types of insulation but requires additional labor on the project. If not applied precisely, this air sealing may not have the desired effect. With one spray foam application, you are assured that air leaks are completely sealed.

Have other questions about spray foam? Contact our office today!

infrared scan of room during energy audit

The Value of Having an Energy Audit

By News

A home energy audit (also called a home energy assessment) provides you with a comprehensive picture of your home’s energy use. It supplies valuable information such as how much energy your home is using, where you are losing energy and what areas can be corrected to make your home more energy efficient.

An energy audit and testing evaluates the unique factors of a building that impact energy use. This process gathers building data that is then evaluated by custom software to provide a list of improvements uniquely for your home.

Energy audits and testing is used for new home construction and existing homes. An audit can assist you in choosing the right building materials, lighting and design to make your home as energy efficient as possible.

If you are interested in saving money on energy use, your first order of business should be to schedule a home energy audit.