Security Garments in Blow-in Installation

Blow-in insulation is one of the most effective insulation products in the market. One of the many advantages it has is to provide complete coverage of the specific area so that there are no gaps in the insulation and consequently there will be no escape of hot air.

Installing blow-in insulation requires protective gear. It is not as simple as nailing a painting to your living-room wall. If you cannot wear adequate protective gear when installing blow-in insulation, you are risking your health and even the effectiveness of the blow-in insulation installation.

First Things First

Blow-in insulation is one of the best products you can acquire for effective insulation. It is a great product to have if you are planning to prepare your home for the weather changes that come about during the rainy and cold seasons.

It is not something that you can achieve in 1 or 2 hours. Rushing the entire project will only cause the insulation to improperly settle, expand, nor to insulate adequately. In consequence, all the work you would have done by that time will be lost.

Consider how much time you have and can dispose of to set and install the insulation. Also, determine how many rooms or areas are you planning to insulate during that window of time. Do not forget to factor moving things around and any maintenance, repair, or otherwise changes that have to be done to the areas before installing the blow-in insulation.

Ideally, the room where you will install blow-in insulation should be empty and with no need for repairs. If the area is not new, then be sure to check for the status of the installations before commencing the installation of the blow-in insulation.

When you strategize what you need to do and how you are going to be doing, for instance, the moving of furniture and installations off from one area or room to install insulation in it also implies that you will be tired and will need rest. This will add time to the complete installation process.

Another thing to consider is the time you will devote to this project comprehends the base of the room or area in which you will be working. If the plan is to renew, replace, or install insulation in a room that is currently under-use, you will need to ensure that the utilities are working properly. It is a perfect time to check the electrical installation and verify that there is no other utility installed or that any other utilities are also working properly.

You might also want to consider installing any new utilities, commodities, or beautification ornaments. These things add to the time that you will need to allocate in the insulation installation. And on the security gear, you will need to wear it.

Security gear used in these times might differ somewhat or completely from the security gear you should wear when installing insulation. Therefore, it will always be advisable for you to work on total days. For instance, if you are planning to work in a bedroom and:

• Install a gas-powered chimney
• Renew the electrical installation
• Change the lamps
• Add an electrical outlet
• Replace existing insulation for blow-in insulation.

Consider this amount of time and security gear:

• Gas installation: one day.
• Removing of all furniture off the room: One day
• Electrical utility: lamps and outlet: one day
• Electrical utility: renew the whole installation: One day
• Remove existing insulation if damaged: one day
• Installing blow in insulation: one day
• Finishing the repair: setting up drywall and painting: two to three days
• Returning the furniture to the room: One day

One of the biggest problems with homeowners and people who prefer to do things on their own is the belief that they can just work all day and cut the time that takes to do all of these things short by half. While sometimes, this -could be the case, such as when you are installing a new lamp or setting up an outlet; there are things that must take longer. One of such things, for instance, is the renewal of the electrical installation.

Things that take time to do so because it is important to ensure that the installation is fault-proof from the start. When working with gas setups you want and should be made sure that the whole setup is perfect. Gas leaks can lead to explosions, fire, and death.

What About the Security Gear?

As it has been discussed, each one of the previous installations requires a slightly different security gear outfit. While there are people who think that there is no genuine need to wear full protective gear it is important to remember that security gears are there to protect much more than the clothes you are wearing.

Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and afterward, things will never be the same. Even a simple broken bone can heal differently and cause problems when the weather changes. So using the proper security attire is important.

Maybe you need to change security outfit items for working on either of the room. For instance, if you are welding you must wear a welding mask which will be unnecessary and wrong to use when you are working with insulation. Keeping the welding mask on will hinder your vision and cause more problems than benefits.

What to Use?

Regardless of what is it you need to work on all the other areas and tasks of the room or area where you will install the blow-in insulation, these are the security gear that you should wear for this task:

• Disposable clothes.
• Hard hat or construction helmet
• Protective eyewear
• Gloves
• Mouth mask.

Disposable clothes

Blow-in insulation is applied with a special machine that turns the material into foam that falls gently into the area that is to be insulated. As foam, it has a soft texture that can be easily removed with little effort when it's freshly installed. As time passes, it hardens, and it needs to be cut to be trimmed. Therefore, if it falls on fabrics, while wet it can be swiped away, the residue will harden on the fabric making it to remove.

However, it is advisable that you find old clothes rather than ragged and tattered. Clothes with holes and tears will make it easy for you to get stuck on nails and crevices and also expose your skin to getting hurt.

Make the same consideration for undergarments, and shoes, and socks.

Hard hat or construction helmet

It might seem that this security item is unnecessary if you are working on an already built house. Yet this is still a necessity, especially if you plan to work on closed and low-ceiling spaces. When you are working, you focus your attention on whatever you are doing, so getting up with impetus and without consideration of where you are is a common mistake.

While this mistake rarely endangers your life, it can cause bleeding and serious damage when you bump your head into a hard surface. Additionally, if you are in a place where maintenance is being done, it is always best to aim for extra caution.

Protective eyewear

Taking care of your eyes is probably one of the most important things that you can and should do when installing blow-in insulation. Wearing protective eyewear will prevent debris from lodging in your eyes and causing serious damage.

Of course, if you are not actively repairing the room where you will install the insulation, there might not be an evident need for the eyewear, but there have been times when flying debris causes lacerations to the eyes and emergency care is called for.

Gloves

Gloves might not seem a good fit as they tend to get in the way of touching and handling things. Many weekend do-it-yourself people state that they prefer to work without gloves, as they can’t grab a proper hold of their tools as they are working.

Mouth mask

This will protect your airways from any debris and small particulates that could wiggle their way to your lungs and cause anything from a mild cough to serious lung-related diseases.

There are many models of mouth masks available in the market. Any of them could help you if you keep them clean. As they get dirty and wet from transpiration and saliva, it is going to be harder to breathe through them. Replace them every so often.

Some people might consider using a reusable mouth mask and while this is a good idea that will save money in future projects, do not wear one while it's wet and you are working. The power of your inhalation will attract more debris

Insulating the Attic Floor or the Pitched Roof: Which Is the Better Approach?

Just how much impact does a well-insulated attic have on the effectiveness of a home’s overall insulation system? What most homeowners need to realize is that the attic, being the topmost part of the house and being connected to the roof, is an area that can quickly gain or lose heat through conductive heat transfer. It is a space that is susceptible to outdoor temperature extremes, which, in turn, affect the temperature levels within the  house.

Given the importance of insulating your attic, how do you then go about it? Do you need to install insulation both under the floor of the attic and under the slope of the roof? Or should you prioritize one over the other? In this short guide, we’ll attempt to answer this common query from homeowners with a few quick tips. The answers determine a lot of important decisions you’ll be making for your attic, such as what type of insulation to buy and how much of it to spend on.

Insulating a Finished vs. an Unfinished Attic

The rule of thumb is that if the attic is an unfinished space, insulating its floor is often sufficient enough to insulate this part of the house from the living spaces beneath. This is because you are already effectively insulating the ceiling of these living spaces.

On the other hand, if your attic is a finished space—meaning you use it either as a storage space or as living quarters—it would be best to insulate both the slope of the roof and the attic floor. Insulating the pitched roof does the job of preventing outdoor heat or chill from infiltrating the building envelope, while insulating the attic floor prevents heat transfer from occurring between the attic and the spaces underneath it.

Insulating Cathedral Ceilings

If your home has cathedral-type ceilings, then insulating the roof should be your top priority. This is because the ceiling directly underneath it is essentially part of the building envelope. Having such a cavernous ceiling design can expose the upper part of your house to a lot of conductive heat transfer if the ceiling is not properly insulated. This means your house could get hot or cold fast, and your heating or cooling system might not be able to cope well in terms of maintaining the indoor temperatures you desire. Roof insulation prevents heat from easily leaving your home during the cold months, while also preventing the ingress of warmth when you’re trying to cool your home during the hot summer months.

Choose the Best Type of Insulation for Your Attic Floor and Pitched Roof

The good news is that insulating your attic floor or your pitched roof is a relatively easy task. You can greatly improve the level of comfort inside your home simply by replacing or improving the insulation in these parts of your house. One of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to do this is by using insulation batts or rolls, which you can immediately purchase from hardware stores.  If you’re finding it challenging to install these blanket-type insulation products because you need to place them around irregularly shaped architectural assemblies, blow in insulation is an alternative you can consider. This is definitely a good option if you’re insulating an unfinished attic.

There are other options besides that you can explore as well. Spray foam insulation, for example, is also a good choice for insulating unfinished attic floors because it ensures that every crack, gap, or air hole is completely sealed off, preventing air and moisture from penetrating the attic. There are also roofing panels that come with built-in insulation cores. These are perfect for new construction projects, but you can also use them in existing structures, depending on the extent of refurbishment that you are willing to accomplish for your home.

In the end, what’s important is that you take into consideration what your attic’s role will be in your home. Insulating it properly will depend on its existing condition and its intended purpose. Hopefully, these tips have given you a clear idea of how to insulate your attic floor and your pitched roof, thus ensuring you a successful home improvement project!

8 Best Practices for Installing Insulation Batts in Your Attic

A big part of keeping your home comfortable and cozy throughout the year is making sure that your attic is well-insulated. This part of the house is often overlooked or neglected in terms of proper insulation because it is usually used as storage or simply left unfinished. However, even if your attic is not being utilized as a living space, it should still be given proper attention in terms of insulation because it is the biggest part of the house exposed to the elements by virtue of being closely connected to the roof.

When your attic is not correctly fitted out in terms of insulation, you’ll feel the impact on your electricity bills. This is because you may be exhausting your cooling or heating appliances just to maintain the right temperatures in your living spaces. A poorly insulated attic may also lead to more costly home maintenance and repair costs. The air and moisture that seeps into an under-insulated attic may allow nasty mold and mildew to grow indoors. This further puts the health of your family at risk. Water seepage may also damage the walls and ceilings of your home, thus compromising the structural integrity of your property.

One great solution for improving the insulation capacity in your attic is to install new batts or pre-cut pieces of blanket insulation. They’re easily available at home improvement stores like Pacific Insulation Supply. However, once you buy the batts, you’ll also want to ensure that they’re installed properly. To that end, here are our tips for successfully installing your new insulation batts into your attic.

Assess the Space

Proper installation of new batts depends on what the situation is like in your attic. Is it an unfinished space that you’ll have to insulate from scratch, or does it have existing insulation? The answers to these questions will determine what type of batt insulation you should buy. They’ll also determine how much batt insulation you need to achieve the ideal R-value for your whole attic.

Next, see which parts of the attic need extra insulation. For an unfinished attic, you may want to focus on the flooring because this is the part of the attic that’s connected to the living spaces below. For a finished attic, you can enhance the insulation by applying batts to the walls and ceiling.

Choose the Right R-Value for Your Insulation Solution

 Next, you’ll want to shop for insulation batts that have a high enough R-value. This is the rating that indicates how strong the batt’s insulation capacity is. As such, the higher the R-value of the material, the better its capability to insulate against conductive heat transfer. The US Department of Energy recommends R-38 insulation on most attic floors. In order to attain this R-value, you can buy R-38 solutions or you can purchase efficient R-30 insulation batts and layer them as necessary.

Determine Which Type of Batt Insulation You’ll Use for Your Attic

 Next, you’ll also want to choose particular batt insulation products for your attic. No two products are exactly the same, and one may be better for use in your attic than another. You can choose between unfaced and kraft-faced batts, the latter of which have vapor retarders on their kraft paper side. Note, too, that there are different batt insulation products made out of different natural materials, like mineral wool, fiberglass, or cellulose. When in doubt, research each material or ask your supplier which one is best for your application.

Seal Air Leaks

Now that you’ve bought your new batts, it’s time to prepare your attic for their installation. Before you lay the batts out, make sure there are no opportunities for air to leak in or out of your attic. The insulation will be ineffective if there are holes, spaces, or gaps  on the building envelope or on the attic floor. Thus, before you lay out any new insulation, make sure you completely seal off any air leaks that you may find in the joints and crevices of your attic.

Do One Last Check of Your Ventilation and Electrical Systems in the Attic

It’s also good practice to check the attic’s ventilation system and ensure that it’s properly functioning. You’ll be able to make the most of your attic insulation project if you can breathe properly there, and a big contributor is your ventilation system. Finally, be aware of any exposed electrical wirings, outlets, and sockets in your attic that may pose as fire hazards. Repair these immediately and secure them in place before installing the insulation batts.

Install a Baffle around Objects That Produce Heat

 One important principle of insulating an attic is to take special care around objects that produce heat, such as light bulbs. You will actually want to put space between these objects and the insulation material by creating a baffle around the former. For your attic, you can create a simple one out of either rigid foam or clean cardboard. Once your bulb or lamp has a baffle around it, you’ll be able to install the batts at least 3 feet away from each side.

 Cut Your Batts into Properly Sized Pieces

 Though the insulation batts are pre-cut, you will still need to measure and cut them out to guarantee an exact fit the architectural assemblies in your attic. To make this easier for you, measure the spaces where you’ll be laying out your new batts. Then, measure the batts and cut them down to the perfect size using a beam and a utility knife. They may need to be just a little wider than the space they will be put in to ensure a secure fit, but they shouldn’t be too big as to make them bunch up or crease. When you take this step, your new batts will be a breeze to press into place.

Pack Kraft-Faced Batts with the Kraft Side Down

Lastly, before you press the batts in, make sure they’re going the right side down. As a rule of thumb, if you’re using kraft-faced batts, you should pack them with the kraft side facing downwards. This is so that you get maximum efficiency from the paper kraft layer, which acts as the moisture retardant of the batt. The unfaced side should be on top, or the side that’s facing you.

Conclusion

 It’s truly worth your while to ensure that your attic is properly insulated. And contrary to what you may believe, this kind of home improvement job doesn’t have to cost you big bucks. As insulation solutions, batts are easy to install, highly affordable, and great at insulating attic spaces. You’ll even find a solid range of trustworthy batt insulation products here at Pacific Insulation Supply alone.

If you have any concerns regarding proper installation of new batts in your home, don’t hesitate to consult our experts. me.

5 Proven Advantages of Insulating a Home’s Attic

Let’s face it—as homeowners, we usually do not give much thought to our attics on a daily basis. This is especially true it is simply used as a storage space, in which case it pretty much gathers dust as it remains neglected for most, if not the entire duration, of the year. But did you know that the attic is perhaps one of the most important spaces in the home that affects your overall living experience?

Keep in mind that the attic is the part of the house that is connected to the roof, which is the biggest section of your home that is exposed to  the elements Thus, a large part of how comfortable your home will be is actually dependent on the condition of your attic. In particular, an attic should be well-insulated in order to create more pleasant living conditions inside the house.

Recommended R-values for attic insulation can be anywhere from R-30 to R-60, depending on the climate zone in which your home is located. If your home is situated either in zones 4 or 5, for example, the US Department of Energy recommends that you use R-38 insulation in your attic.

If you’re still not sure about what benefits you can gain from insulating your attic, we can help you. Below, we’ve listed the top reasons why you should install insulation in this part of your home.

It Can Help You Realize Enormous Electricity Cost Savings

Heating and cooling comprise anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of the  energy that an average household consumes. Experts say you can slash up to almost a third of your  electricity bill just by simply ensuring that your home has proper insulation, beginning with your attic and other often-neglected areas such as crawl spaces.

You Can Extend the Life of Your Heating and Cooling Appliances

 Naturally, when your home’s overall insulation system is not working properly, your heating and cooling appliances work overtime in order to achieve your desired temperature levels and provide you with a comfortable indoor living environment. You can therefore realize long-term cost savings from insulating your attic properly by way of not having to replace worn-out or broken heaters and air conditioning units in your home.

You Can Create More Comfortable Living Spaces

You may be surprised at how insulating your attic properly will do wonders in terms of making your home more comfortable and cozy all-year round. No matter how sophisticated your heating or cooling system may be, a poorly insulated attic will affect the rest of the house and make it more prone to the temperature changes outside. After all, warm air naturally rises, so in winter, the heat inside your home can quickly leave your home through the attic if it is not properly insulated. During the hot summer months, heat from the outdoors can also quickly infiltrate your home through an uninsulated attic by way of conductive and radiant heat transfer.

You Can Enjoy a More Sturdy House Free from Excess Moisture

Insulating your attic properly is an investment in fortifying the structural integrity of the upper part of your house.  Together with air sealing, attic insulation helps prevent the ingress of moisture into your home, which means that the inside of your house will not be exposed to humidity—often the cause of structural damage in homes.

You Can Look Forward to Better Indoor Air Quality

 By preventing the entry and buildup of moisture in your home, you’ll also be preventing the growth of mold, mildew, and other harmful organisms, which can circulate throughout your home and diminish the indoor air quality.  No mold and mildew means you and the other occupants will be less likely to suffer from respiratory problems and allergies.

If you haven’t had the time to check out your attic, now is the best time to do so and to take the first step towards properly insulating this very important part of your house.