Insulation Overview
At Patriot Industries PLLC, we offer custom insulation solutions using three main types of insulation to get you the best fit for your home or building.
We offer fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam insulations either alone or in combination to create the best solution to fit your needs. Fiberglass may be installed as “bats” or the “blow-in” technique. Cellulose is installed using the “blow-in” technique but maybe installed wet or dry. Then, closed-cell spray foam can be sprayed alone, or accompanied by fiberglass or cellulose insulation
We will insulate to your specifications, or our licensed and insured owner can offer recommendations to suit your particular needs.
Why does insulation matter?
What is one bill you have every month? Your energy bill. Be it gas or electric, we all enjoy those creature comforts of heated and cooled homes. It is no secret that energy costs are rising, with no end in sight. So using as little energy to heat and cool your home or building will save you money now, and even more money in the future.
Homes that were built prior to 1970 have little or no insulation, sending that expensive, bought energy right out into the exterior. Newer homes, built to code, should be adequately insulated but may need updates as the insulation ages, or some sections may have never been properly insulated. With new construction, many people don’t understand the value of insulation, but proper insulation, as both a vapor barrier and thermal insulator, can set them up for the highest efficiency possible, for real savings of energy and money.
Don’t send your expensive, conditioned air outside, let us help you save money!
What is an R-value?
Insulation is measured in terms of R-value. The R-value rates the thermal insulative properties of building material. So, the higher the R-value, the more thermal insulation is present. R-value should not be confused with inches of insulation as not all inches are created equally. For example, spray foam averages a thermal insulation value of R5-6 for each inch, while fiberglass only offers R2-4 per inch. So, when considering your needs, keep in mind that the R-value, not inches, is the number that best describes the insulation’s impact on how your home or business will feel.
With each sub-tab, we will gladly overview the insulation options, and help you find the insulation best for you and your next project.
Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is our most recommended insulation option. Spray foam is an excellent vapor barrier, by becoming a low-expanding, spray-applied plastic. It provides an air seal in your building, creating a high R-value. Spray foam is most common in pole barns, homes, and commercial buildings, and can be used alone or in combination with other solutions. Spray foam is resistant to damage, can prevent moisture and condensation, and does not allow mold or mildew growth in the insulation. These properties also make spray foam an excellent choice for basements, rim joist, and crawl spaces, and it’s the perfect choice for new construction.
Closed-cell spray foam is tough, it holds up well when covered or exposed, and it outperforms all other insulation options. This insulation limits any air leakage maintains an even temperature and helps make your home more energy-efficient all year round, without straining your household budget.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is exclusively blown in, it can be added on top of some existing insulations, added to enclosed walls, or in new construction. Cellulose is a wood and paper-based product, made primarily of recycled goods, that is thick and dense and considered highly eco-friendly. Cellulose is able to easily conform to spaces and around existing wires and plumbing, making it a great choice for any insulation project, and one of our most budget-friendly options.
Dry cellulose is a great choice for attic spaces, and walls, but is not recommended for crawl spaces. Cellulose, like fiberglass, does not have a vapor barrier but can be coupled with spray foam insulation to perform better in your new construction spaces. This helps increase the R-value, provides a solid vapor barrier, and increases the efficiency of the insulation.
Open-Cell Spray Foam Insulation
Open-cell spray foam offers expanding foam insulation, yielding an exceptional R-value. It is similar to cellulose and fiberglass insulation, while being an excellent insulator, it is not a vapor barrier. With open-cell insulation, it is installed like traditional closed-cell spray foam, but requires more room for expansion. This limits its R-value to the capacity your exterior wall can hold, which may present as an issue with some exterior walls. The biggest benefit to open-cell insulation is it offers excellent sound dampening from surrounding spaces or noisy roadways, while also providing thorough insulation. The sound dampening quality alone can make this an excellent option for interior bedroom, bathrooms, and living rooms, where noise can be a nuisance.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation comes in two forms, blow in or batts, both are made from silica sand and fine glass particles, stripped into fibers. These fibers then create air pockets in between them, trapping heat in them, stopping them from exiting or entering your home or building. Both blow in and batt fiberglass options are cost-effective, and will help to save energy consumption in your home. Blown-in fiberglass is able to become thicker and denser than batts, increasing its preference in many attic spaces. Fiberglass comes in R-values from R-11 to R-38. Recall that the higher the R-value, the more insulation property, and the thicker/denser your insulation will be.
Fiberglass insulation does not settle overtime enough to impact its efficiency, nor does it absorb water, or dry out. Some homeowners even choose to put in some sort of fiberglass batt on their own. The concern with fiberglass is that there is no vapor barrier, and when not installed correctly it can lose most of its insulation properties from compression.
Concerning the lack of vapor barrier, some people choose to use both spray foam and fiberglass in their walls, this helps increase the R-value, provides a solid vapor barrier, and increases the efficiency of the insulation.
