Category Archives: General News

Find the Right Contractor by Asking These Questions

Proper insulation is vital to keeping your home comfortable all year. It also makes your heating and cooling system efficient, leading to lower energy bills. All in all, it’s a smart investment. You can install some minor insulation materials on your own, but calling in the professionals for the bigger projects is always smarter. Their skill and experience reduce costly mistakes and ensure that you get quality output.

5 Questions to Ask Your Insulation Contractor

Not all insulation contractors, however, specialize in installing insulation. That’s why it’s crucial to screen them carefully. While eliminating inexperienced and unreliable companies can be tough, asking the right questions will reveal weak points you can use to cut your list down. Soon enough, you’ll find the contractor that provides the best value out of your project.

Questions you may ask when interviewing potential contractors include:

Do You Have a License?

Hiring a licensed contractor not only protects your interests for quality service but also ensures that you’re on the right side of the law. Checking the license of a potential contractor confirms that it’s in the home insulation industry legally. The permit also indicates that the contractor has the expertise and skills to perform the job you’re hiring them for. Only qualified companies receive a business license from the government.

What Personal Protective Equipment Does Your Team Wear?

As a client, you have to make sure that the contractor has safety measures in place while the installation is on-going. Installers should wear appropriate gear, use the right equipment, and follow safety procedures. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that people working with insulation materials, particularly spray foam, should be trained to handle chemicals properly. Proper training is essential for each installer to avoid exposure to chemicals and work-related injuries. Make sure to discuss this with your prospects before deciding who to hire.

How Many Years Have You Been Operating?

The number of years an insulation contractor has been in the business gives you an idea about its experience and ability to handle a project like yours. Seasoned contractors naturally have an edge over the greener companies.

On the other hand, newer contractors may also deliver excellent services. They might have access to more modern equipment and know the latest techniques for a better installation process. So, you’ll have to dig a little deeper with this question to determine what kind of candidates you’re working with.

What Insulation Products Do You Offer?

When searching for the right contractor, you might encounter a company that only offers one product. Treat it as a red flag. You’re looking for a company that can assess your home and recommend different insulation products that suit your home’s needs and your budget.

Can I See Your References?

Look for a contractor that willingly shows reviews and feedback from previous clients. Praise from satisfied clients can help you decide whether or not to trust the contractor. Conducting further research can help you scrutinize a contractor better. You may also ask your prospect if it has negative reviews.

The answers from your potential contractors can help you come up with the right decision and hire the right insulation contractor. If you need further assistance with your insulation installation project, contact our team today.

Insulating Your New Home: The Key to Energy Efficiency

Today, both businesses and consumers are realigning to become more sustainable and energy-efficient. Energy efficiency focuses on minimizing the power required to use certain products and services. Not only does energy efficiency reduce heating and cooling costs, but it also helps the environment by reducing emissions released by power plants.

The average household in the Midwest spends $3,000-3,500 per capita on heating. This translates to fossil fuels burnt and more emissions. If you want to save on energy bills and be environmentally conscious, the first step is to make your home energy efficient by installing insulation. The best time to do this? Right when you’re building your home.

Want to Build an Energy-Efficient Home? Start with Insulation

Insulation Planning

Insulation for Newly-Constructed Homes

While you’re planning and building your new home, you should follow the required R-value of insulation in Missouri as stated in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These are just the minimum requirements, though, and you should aim to exceed them if you’ve set out to make your build more energy efficient. Insulating your home adds to your home’s market value.

A properly insulated home is protected from the elements from top to bottom. It’s easier to ensure this right at the beginning of construction because your insulation options are much more varied compared to retrofitting your walls and attic after you finish building.

With that said, these are the key areas that need insulation installed in your new home for optimal energy efficiency, according to the U.S. Department of Energy:

  • Attic
  • Walls
  • Ceiling
  • Exterior doors and windows
  • The floors (especially above unheated spaces like the garage)
  • Ducts/crawlspace
  • Basement
  •  

In structures such as residential homes, there are areas called thermal envelopes. These are the areas listed above, where heat tends to escape. Typically, 15 percent of heat escapes through uninsulated basements and floors. Uninsulated attics, windows, and doors each let out 25 percent of heat, while uninsulated walls let out 35 percent.

With this much heat loss, you’re likely to spend more heating up your home, driving your energy use. By installing installation in these areas, you’re making sure that you optimize your energy efficiency.

Types of Insulation for New Homes

Once you’ve pinpointed the areas that need insulation, it’s time to decide what type of insulation material to install. You have a variety of options, but it’s best to consult your insulation experts to know which type fits specific parts of your home.

Batted Insulation

Batted insulation made from fiberglass materials is perfect for unfinished walls, floors, and ceilings. Batted fiberglass insulation has a broad range of R-values and has excellent acoustical performance.

Sprayed Foam Insulation

Ideal for unfinished attic floors or as an addition to existing finished or irregularly-shaped areas, closed cell spray foam insulation answers your extreme insulation requirements. Spray foam tightly seals all nooks and crannies that would otherwise cause heat loss.

Wet Spray Insulation

A popular and cost-effective alternative to spray foam, wet spray fiber insulation resists mold and has great air-sealing benefits, making it a great insulator for your walls and ceiling.

Blown-in Blanket Insulation

Like spray foam, this type of insulation can fill small, hard-to-reach areas, so it’s perfect for unfinished attic floors.

Insulate Your New Home Properly

Before finishing the construction of your Kansas City home, contact a reputable insulation company. Our team here at A+ Insulation uses the best and latest insulation techniques to give you a power-saving, energy-efficient home.

Contact us today for your insulation needs.

Should You Insulate Your Interior Walls?

Kansas City regularly updates building codes to protect the safety, health, and welfare of local residents. Updates to the code minimize safety hazards at home, especially electricity-related ones. These updates almost always include insulation industry codes. Code updates push homeowners to address insulation issues and replace them when necessary.

Household Possibilities: Is It Time to Insulate Your Interior Walls?

wall-insulation

Admittedly, insulation code updates are not enough to help homeowners decide whether to insulate their interior walls. While this is not exactly common practice, you may have heard of its energy-saving and sound-dampening benefits. So, if you are wondering if insulating your interior walls is a good idea, there are valid reasons for you to consider:

Insulation Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient

Warm during winter, cool during summer — home insulation contributes to your household’s comfort because it helps regulate both hot and cold airflow. Your living space should remain comfortable despite extreme weather and temperature fluctuations. When you opt for interior wall insulation, you use less electricity to regulate room temperatures and might notice lower energy bills in the long run.

nterior wall insulation reduces heat transfer for your storage rooms and unoccupied guest rooms. As a result, the temperature control prevents the framing from expanding and the drywall from cracking. You can save yourself the cost and hassle of fixing this issue, too.

Insulation Reduces Room-to-Room Sound Transfer

Imagine this: you come home after a long day at work and just want to relax in bed — but, you can’t because the rest of the family is watching an extremely loud action film in the movie room next to your bedroom.
Interior wall insulation reduces room-to-room sound transfer, creating a sound barrier that contains inside sounds and mutes unwanted outside noise. Keep in mind, however that sound travels through your interior wall’s wood framing, which means the insulation does not make the place entirely soundproof. But it remains an ideal choice for better sound control.

Insulation Prevents Fire from Spreading Quickly

When you live in a duplex or a townhouse, interior walls called party walls separate your living space from the people next door. In addition to reducing the sound infiltrating into your home, interior wall insulation prevents fire from spreading from the other side of the party wall to yours. Of course, there are fire codes in place that, when observed, help to safeguard your property, but extra measures also matter.  

Maybe it’s Time for Interior Wall Insulation

The best time to add interior wall insulation is during new construction. But who says you cannot add insulation to existing walls even after you’ve been living in your current home for some time? It is better to be safe than sorry and late than never, as they say. Besides, insulation codes are updated regularly.

At A+ Insulation, our certified insulation technicians meet local building mandates and abide by the EPA standards for your safety and peace of mind. We minimize your energy bills, dampen heavy sounds from different rooms, and help protect your family from fire through quality interior wall insulation solutions.

Get in touch with us today for more information. You can also schedule a free, no-obligation home inspection so that we can determine the best type of insulation for your home.

How Does Insulation Affect Your Home’s Comfort and Safety?

Heat can escape from your home through the attic, especially if it doesn’t have enough insulation. Excessive heat loss can result in higher energy bills because your heating system has to work harder to provide enough warmth in your home. Insufficient insulation can also compromise the comfort of your home, during winter or summer.

Does Your Attic Have Enough Insulation and is it Safe?

How to Get Efficient Insulation?

Installing adequate attic insulation can help you enhance the comfort of your home, ensuring you don’t pay too much on your energy bills. Where do you start? With an audit.

Getting an energy audit in your home can determine how much energy you consume. Auditors can also identify the areas of your home where you lose energy the most. 

Why is R-Value Crucial?

R-value is a vital factor that contributes to the effectiveness of your attic insulation. This refers to the resistant ability of an insulation material against heat flow. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) explains insulation with a higher R-value provides better insulation.

Return Value

Each home may have a different required amount of R-value, depending on the climate in your region, your heating and cooling system, and where you will install the insulation. The age of your home is also a key consideration. 

The DOE categorizes all American regions into different zones to identify how much R-value will suit their climate. Based on its graph, R-values of R38 to R60 can be ideal for attic insulation in Kansas City homes. Knowing the right R-value for your home can guide you in choosing the type of insulation for your attic. 

What is the Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos was once an insulation material due to its ability to resist heat and corrosion. Breathing asbestos fibers, however, can lead to the development of asbestos, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath. Other symptoms include:

  • A persistent dry cough
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Loss of appetite with weight loss
  •  

If your home has loose-fill attic insulation, you’re likely to be at risk for asbestos exposure. This type of insulation is loosely poured into joist or wall stud cavities, resulting in a great number of loose particles in your home. 

Some vermiculite attic insulation can be a major source of asbestos danger. Vermiculite contaminated with tremolite, an asbestos-like mineral, can pose a danger to health. Houses built before 1990 are more likely to have asbestos-containing attic insulation. It’s because the company that provides the majority of this type of insulation closed in that year. 

Choosing the Right Attic Insulation

Not all loose-fill insulation contains asbestos and can cause health problems. Materials, such as fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool are safe for insulation with proper application. You may also choose from other types of insulation that fit your attic.

Although there are materials ideal for do-it-yourself projects, working with professionals minimizes the risk of costly mistakes.

Our team at A+ Insulation can provide safe solutions for your insulation needs to enhance the comfort of your home. We can inspect your attic to identify certain issues that need professional help, such as a leaky roof, insufficient attic ventilation, and old wiring that create a fire hazard. Our team knows how to handle insulation problems well to finish the work on time and on budget. 

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Choosing the Safest Insulation Type from a Health Perspective

Insulation is essential for any home. Despite this, many homeowners still take insulation for granted and miss out on the benefits that come with it. In fact, earlier research from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) found that nearly 90% of US homes­ were under-insulated. Fluctuating temperatures, high energy bills, and water leaks in the attic are common signs of an under-insulated home.

Moreover, a modern home doesn’t necessarily mean it’s well-insulated. The amount of insulation home builders install may not be enough to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year, even if it’s up to code.

A+ Insulation can help you figure out where you may need to improve your insulation with a free home energy audit. We’ll help you get your home insulated adequately so that you can save money not just energy bills but on medical bills, as well.

How Insulation Improves Health

You may have heard of the benefits of insulation, such as how it prevents moisture condensation and improves temperature. What you may not hear as often is how these benefits help improve your health.

Even the distribution of indoor temperature reduces thermal stress and the adverse health effects of fluctuating temperatures like migraines, headaches, and joint pain. Regulated temperatures and the lack of condensation also improve the indoor air quality and lower the risk of mold growth.

Mold spores are one of the common reasons behind allergic reactions. Having a well-insulated and mold-free home reduces allergy symptoms and asthma flare-ups.

Recommended Insulation for Better Health

Proper insulation, regardless of what materials are used, already offers many with health benefits. However, a report from Energy Efficiency for All found that certain types of insulation are better for your health than others.

Corkboard is the report’s number one insulation type from a health perspective. Although the material is free of hazardous content, it is one of the most expensive and least available of insulation materials. The report recommends instead fiberglass and cellulose insulation materials for both cost-efficiency, availability, and health benefits.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is one of the most popular types of insulation. It’s made of melted inorganic materials like sand or molten glass. The types of fiberglass insulation included in the report are:

  • Loose-fill fiberglass
  • Dense-pack fiberglass
  • Spray-applied fiberglass
  • Fiberglass batts or blankets (kraft-faced, unfaced, and polypropylene-scrim-kraft faced)

Cellulose

Cellulose insulation is commonly made from recycled newspapers and other recycled paper products. The fiberized paper is treated with mineral borate to make it fire- and insect-resistant. The list included the following cellulose insulation types:

  • Cellulose or cotton batts and blankets
  • Loose-fill cellulose
  • Dense-pack cellulose
  • Wet-blown cellulose

Parts of the Home to Insulate

Experts recommend that homeowners insulate their homes from the roof down to the foundation. Attic spaces, exterior walls, and floors above crawl spaces or unheated garages are prime spots for insulation. You can also maximize the health and energy benefits by undergoing a home energy audit. The audit results provide you with a more comprehensive list of places to fix and insulate.

Contact us today to schedule a free home energy audit for a more comfortable and healthier home environment.

Want to Save Money on Energy Bills? Make Your Attic More Energy Efficient

Improving your attic’s energy efficiency goes beyond helping you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. It can also save you money on cooling and heating costs. If you’re looking to cut down your energy bill, take note of these suggestions to make your attic more energy efficient.

Seal Cracks to Reduce Air Leaks in the Attic

Foam sprayAttic air leaks are holes, cracks, and other weak points where air can go in and out of your house. Ignoring this problem can promote the escape of cool air during the summer and heated air in the winter. This forces your HVAC unit to work harder, which increases your energy bill. On top of that, leaks in the attic may serve as starting points for significant water damage.

If you come across a leak in your attic, seal them as soon as possible. You’ll usually find leaks in the following areas:

  • Attic Hatch
  • Doors and Windows
  • Duct Chaseways or Furnace Flue
  • Recessed Light
  • Open Soffit
  • Plumbing Vents
  • Wiring Holes

If you’re still having difficulty finding attic leaks, check out the floor plan of your home and use it to locate possible air leak spots.

Install Attic Fans

Attic ventilation fans are an excellent choice for regulating the temperature of your house. They cool a hot attic by drawing hot air out of the area and bring colder air from the gable and soffit vents. If you’re going to install these fans, make sure that your attic does not have any leaks. If your attic has holes, these fans could draw conditioned air out of your house.

Ventilate the Attic

A house attic with insulationVenting the attic helps regulate seasonal temperatures inside the attic while letting you maintain a consistent temperature in your home with the help of your HVAC system. A properly ventilated attic enables outdoor air flow into the attic during winter. While it may look strange to allow cold air to enter your house in the winter, a cold attic can minimize the risk of melting the snow on the roof. Melted snow could refreeze in gutter systems, damage the roof, and result in interior water damage.

Additionally, a well-ventilated attic provides an escape route for warm air. When hot air stays in the attic, it can heat the roof shingles and raise the risk of roof damage. On top of that, trapped humid and hot air could cause the accumulation of moisture and result in the growth of mildew or mold.

Make Sure Your Attic Has Sufficient Insulation

Insulation is one of the best ways to enhance the energy efficiency of your attic. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulation can help you save up to 20 percent on your home’s cooling and heating costs. If your attic is in need of insulation, don’t hesitate to turn to A+ Insulation. We have experienced insulation professionals who perform efficient and diligent attic insulation work. Count on us to do the job correctly and on time. We want you and your family to enjoy lower utility bills and a comfortable and consistent temperature inside your home.

Contact us today.

Can Spray Foam or Blow-In-Blanket Insulation Work for Your Home?

Man installing insulationInsulating your home offers many benefits. Two types of insulation, however, stand out among others because of the advantages you can experience from them. These include the blow-in-blanket system (BIBS) and the spray foam insulation, both of which A+ Insulation installs.

The Good News on Blow-In-Blanket System

Blow-in-blanket systems in Kansas City work because of the extremes in weather conditions. BIBS falls under fiberglass insulation, which is the type of insulation known to provide better thermal efficiency. In addition to thermal efficiency, what other pros can you expect from BIBS?

  • It blows in easily
  • It fills the space completely
  • It lasts for a very long time

Blow-in insulation can fit even in small gaps of the tiniest size, and it’s not that hard to install. You can also dwell on the safety of your home with a naturally fire resistant blow-in blanket system. For its bonus points, BIBS insulation can reduce noise, prevent the growth of mold or mildew, and remains pest resistant.

The use of fiberglass insulation prevents the leak of any chemical odor. The excellent thermal performance of the blow-in-blanket system gives your home the energy efficiency it needs while reducing energy costs, so you can save more money.

Building insulationSpray Foam Insulation and Its Perks

In all our years as insulation installers, we’ve found that 30 percent of your home’s energy can escape through walls, roof, and floors. This is due to air leaking from these areas. Spray foam insulation can prevent this from happening, helping you save on your energy bill at the same time.

Similar to the blow-in-blanket insulation, spray foam insulation fills and seals every crack. Spray foam, as flexible sealant insulation, makes continuous air barriers in different areas. Polyurethane spray foam expands up to 100 times its original size to seal every gap in walls, ceilings, and crawlspaces for total insulation.

R-Values and the Effects of BIBS and Spray Foam Insulation

You also need to consider R-value when installing a type of insulation. Kansas, according to the Department of Energy, falls under Zone 4, which needs R-5 insulation sheathing beneath a new siding.

Remember, R-value heavily relies on the installation of the insulation.  Blown-in blanket systems, when installed by skilled experts, achieve the correct density and R-values. You can depend on BIBS to fill in existing finished areas, particularly irregularly shaped areas. It can also fill in the crevices around obstructions.

Spray foam also can cover up finished areas and seal gaps in irregularly shaped areas. You can apply this using a small spray container or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed product.

The Finest Insulation for Your Convenience

Go to A+ Insulation and expect the best insulation for your household. Whatever type of insulation you choose, we’ll know what to do. We have technicians who can add the right insulation in the right amounts in the best places to provide you the best comfort you deserve.

With our experience in the industry, we can help you save energy, time, and money. Call us to schedule an appointment.

2 Types of Spray Foam Insulation: What Makes Them Different From Each Other?

Room undergoing renovationSpray foam insulation is one of the most popular types of insulation for homes and commercial buildings. Starting off in liquid form, spray foam is applied to tight spaces where it expands up to 60 times its original liquid volume.

This method of application allows for the even distribution of spray foam insulation to be inside walls and ceilings. This also makes for an ideal method for filling in hard-to-reach places like air ducts and crawl spaces. As the foam expands, it dries and becomes solid insulation.

According to the Department of Energy, spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF) is 50% more effective at insulating buildings, compared with traditional insulation products. In addition to this, SPF is also versatile and easy-to-install, making it the more cost and energy efficient choice for insulation material.

Spray foam insulation can be categorized into two types: light density open-cell and medium density closed-cell. Both types have their own unique advantages and are the most commonly used variants of insulation in commercial buildings and homes.

Remember, though, that spray foam insulation contractors in Kansas City stress that it’s always best to consult with a professional service provider before applying spray foam insulation to your structure.

Light-Density Open-Cell Spray Foam (ocSPF)

Commonly known as half-pound foam, light-density open-cell SPF, or ocSPF, is semi-rigid foam with a sponge-like appearance. During installation, this SPF expands in such a way that it creates small, open cells that are filled with carbon dioxide. Because it expands during application, ocSPF can fit most cracks and crevices. This product sticks to irregular surfaces to form an air sealing insulation.

OcSPF also has the unique advantage of being pliable. Over time, buildings can contract and expand depending on the weather. Because of its flexibility, ocSPF twists and adjusts with every contraction and expansion, minimizing the need for reinstallation.

Although it can’t block vapors, ocSPF is effective at acting as an air and sound barrier. Because of these traits, ocSPF is usually recommended for interior walls and most indoor applications.

Medium-Density Closed-Cell Spray Foam (ccSPF)

Foam sprayMedium-density closed-cell foam insulation, or ccSPF, is often referred to as two pound (2 lb) foam, due to it being heavier than open-cell spray foam. CcSPF is more rigid than ocSPF, and it comes with a higher Long-Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) value.

Because of its rigidity and weight, ccSPF can act as both a vapor barrier and an air barrier, making it more efficient than ocSPF. CcSPF also has the unique advantage of adding to the structural strength of walls and ceilings.

When choosing insulation materials and installers, always go for a professional company with trained professionals and OSHA 30 certification. Quality insulation can help lower energy costs and protect structures from weather damage. With over a decade of providing insulation services in Kansas City, A+ Insulation has the tools and the know-how to effectively install insulation for both homes and commercial buildings. Contact us today and our in-house team of experts will help find the most appropriate solution to your insulation needs.

Long-Term Planning: Insulation During Spring Reduces Cooling Costs in Summer

Insulation installationResidents of Kansas City always look forward to springtime. The fresh air is a welcome delight after months of chilly days and bundled up nights. The locals gear up for festival season, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Brookside Art Annual which are all citywide celebrations that pump up people of all ages. Of course, the spring season also brings back the Kansas City Royals, our boys in blue, to the baseball park.

As much time as KC locals spend outdoors, however, it also pays to be more attentive to what goes on at home during the transition season from the coldest to the warmest days of the year. When you plan your springtime activities, include home renovations and preventive maintenance on your list. The changing weather affects the utilities that keep you comfortable all year round despite the weather, after all.

Having said that, maybe it is time to install or replace the attic insulation in your Kansas home this spring.

Why Is Attic Insulation Important?

Many homes in the local community do not have attic insulation. This is unfortunate, considering how attic insulation serves as a consistent source of comfort for the household. It keeps heated air inside during winter and keeps the home cool during summer. In other words, it keeps your family warm during cold days and helps regulate indoor temperature on humid ones.

Moreover, attic insulation is a wise decision because it helps homeowners save on energy bills. Our team has actually seen first-hand how attic insulation helps cut down energy costs at home, especially during the warmest months of the year when people tend to turn up the AC.

Heat travels through the ceiling and may escape or enter the home through gaps or leaks in your attic. So, if the attic has proper insulation, then it will make the home more energy efficient in addition to making it more comfortable for the household.

But of course, for optimal energy saving, you need the help of a professional to ensure the even distribution of the insulation. Alternatively, if you already have attic insulation, a professional can check insulation levels to determine whether you need a more effective replacement.

Professional attic insulation also addresses other problems such as leaky roofing, fire hazards, and limited ventilation.

Why is Spring a Great Time for Attic Insulation?

Attic insulationSpring is a great time to install or replace attic insulation. Your household may have exhausted the HVAC system throughout the winter, so now’s a great time to let it recover and direct your attention to the insulation. Furthermore, spring installation also prepares you for the warm, humid weather that summer is sure to bring. This way, you wouldn’t spend so much on home cooling costs in the future.

Keep in mind, though, that the level of insulation your attic should have depends on your location as well as on what product you use for it. But generally speaking, homes in the KC metro may have insulation of at least R-49, which is approximately 18.5 inches deep, to effectively reduce energy costs.

At A+ Insulation, we offer various solutions for attic insulation in Kansas City. You may choose among InsulSafe SP, cellulose, spray foam, and batted insulation. Call our office, today, for a free no-obligation evaluation before summer comes along.

Insulating Your 1960 Home? Best Types of Insulation for Old Homes

Balcony of an old homeWarm, cozy, and full of character, you love your 1960 home.

As much as you love your decades-old abode, however, it tends to get drafty. In winter, the cold draft can get so bad that you’re beginning to see adverse effects on the health and comfort of your family. On days when it’s extra cold, moreover, your heating system has to work harder, costing you more in maintenance and replacement expenses down the road.

If you’re tired of putting up with drafty air and compromising your comfort, your most viable option is adding insulation. Insulating an old home not only makes the space more livable and energy-efficient but also helps preserve the house’s beauty and historical significance. If you decide on selling the home in the future, up-to-date insulation can give you a strong selling point.

Things to Consider Before Installing Insulation

While there are many benefits to adding insulation to old houses, it’s not exactly an easy task. If your home was built before the 1960s, chances are, there is very little insulation to none at all. Before the energy crisis happened in the 1970s, energy was cheap and abundant that it was more cost-effective to heat homes than to insulate them.

Today, it has become more cost-effective to insulate a home. There are myriad options as far as materials are concerned. Experts agree that among these materials, batts and blow-in cellulose are the easiest to retrofit into an old home. Many insulation contractors also prefer installing spray foam insulation, as this works well in regulating air flow, controlling moisture, and insulating while maintaining a high R-value (the material’s capacity to resist heat flow).

Depending on your home’s age, potentially dangerous products may have been used in the installation. A professional insulation contractor should be able to detect urea formaldehyde or asbestos, as the presence of these materials may entail remediation.

Where Do You Add Insulation?

Insulation being addedIt’s often easiest to add insulation to the attic area. If your attic is unfinished and unconditioned like many old homes, adding batt insulation to the underside of the roof is a smart move.

If the home has a basement or crawl space, you may also opt to insulate the floors of the living space above. Insulation contractors prefer to do this by installing batts into the floor joists’ stud bays.

Onboarding experts to assess the entire home should be your first step. A pro can accurately evaluate the scope of insulation, the severity of air leakage, as well as your options for re-insulation. They can also give advice or two in the areas of the home that will provide the most payback when insulated.

When in need of experienced professionals who can help you add insulation to an old home, turn to A+ Insulation. We have been the authority in batt, cellulose, spray foam and blanket insulation in Kansas City since 2004. We are prepared to add insulation to any part of the home from the walls to the attic, basement, and more.

Talk to one of our consultants about the most viable options for your home. Call us at 913-281-2250 or fill out our form today.