Insulation

Learning the Basics of Insulation in Cleveland

Because of the increasing cost of natural gas and electricity, insulation in Cleveland is often the single most efficient way of reducing energy costs.

Homes built before 1978 very rarely meet the governmental standard of insulation because of the older and less sophisticated technology used to construct them. If your home isn’t properly insulated, you are losing energy through your walls. Wasted energy means wasted money. Properly installed insulation for your home in the Cleveland area gives you the fastest return on your investment. Window and door replacement are other ways to reduce your energy costs, but the benefits are not as immediate, and the cost of window and door replacement is high.

A Solid Investment With a Lifetime of Savings

Insulation in Cleveland homes usually pays for itself within two to four years of installation. Insulation is more than just a way of keeping in the heat during the winter months. It also helps to keep your home cooler during the summer, which saves a substantial amount of money on air conditioning costs.

Fiberglass:

Fiberglass insulation is made from silica sand and recycled glass materials, making it an inorganic insulation material. Fiberglass is the best product to be used. It is able to be installed in harder to reach locations. Also depending on the application it can be the most cost efficient insulation to be used. (Especially in attic installations.)

Cellulose:

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper. It contains borax, boric acid, and aluminum sulfate. Because cellulose is an organic material, it decomposes as it ages. Eventually, it leaves behind fine dust or powder, which causes extreme settlement inside cavity walls. Organic fibers will readily absorb large amounts of moisture, emitting fire-retardant chemicals while drying, which can promote the growth of mold in walls and attic areas. Because the chemicals in cellulose are corrosive, they can adversely affect older homes containing knob and tube wiring.

Foam Insulation:

There are two different types of foam-insulating materials. The first and most commonly used in retrofit applications is open-cell foam. The problem with this product is that it will break down over time and turn into a powder. It also has up to a 20 percent shrinkage rate as it cures. It is very temperature sensitive, which in the Cleveland area can be a problem when installing the material in the fall and winter months.

The next product is closed cell foam. Of the two foam products this is the best. Unfortunately this product can only be used in new construction applications.

Let’s Compare Performances

Materials	Wall Cavities R-Value	Attic to R-49

Cellulose	R-13	16 inches
Fiberglass	R-15	17.5 inches

If using a cost-by-performance comparison, you can clearly see that Fiberglass is by far the safest, most efficient, and most effective products to use for insulation in Cleveland homes. The Siding & Insulation Company only uses Fiberglass for insulation in Cleveland homes and businesses because of its proven thermal, fire, and sound protection. We believe that when it comes to insulation in Cleveland homes and businesses, you deserve the highest quality product that ensures the most savings and safety.

Home Insulation in Cleveland to Prevent Ice Damage

One of the many reasons why insulation in Cleveland homes is so important is that it prevents the forces of nature from affecting your home in various ways that span from light damage to thorough structural risks. One of these negative effects caused by a lack of insulation in Cleveland homes is ice damage.

Insulation in Cleveland to Prevent Ice Damage

Ice damage is caused by poor insulation that allows for heat to escape from your home. Ice dams begin to form in and around the ceiling of your home that eventually warm and allow for water to seep into the structure if your roof. This water also seeps into the insulation of your roof. Wet insulation is ineffective and can also become a breeding ground for various moisture loving bacteria.

How Poor Insulation in Cleveland Homes Affects the Roof

The problems of ice damage forming start with insulation. Homes with poor insulation in Cleveland have heat that is migrating out of the house and toward the roof. Snow that lands on the roof of a building eventually melts, and when it does melt, the water that was once snow gets sent down the eaves of the roof. This area tends to be a cooler part of the roof, and so the water re-freezes.

As this process continues, more and more ice forms from melting snow, traveling to the eaves of the roof, creating an ice dam. Behind the ice dam is water that is traveling but not yet frozen. As the ice dam gets larger, the result of poor insulation in Cleveland homes is that the water becomes so backed up that it begins to seep into the roof. When it does, the water infiltrates whatever insulation your home may already have and can also infiltrate the walls of your home. The water not only threatens the structural integrity of your home, but it also turns your home into a potential biohazard by breeding mold.

How Insulation Can Turn Your Walls and Attic Into a Money Saver

Do you know what the benefits of having proper insulation in Cleveland homes are? Insulating the walls and attics of your home can have incredible benefits not only for your home’s comfort but also in the savings you’ll have on energy in heating and cooling your home. Insulation in Cleveland walls and attics also preserves your home and your belongings, especially if those possessions are sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture. With proper insulation in Cleveland residences, you can increase your comfort level while also maintaining, if not improving, the value of your home.

Reasons for Attic Insulation in Cleveland

Attic insulation in Cleveland homes both protects your attic and increases energy efficiency. Below are several of the primary reasons to insulate your attic:

Blocking Moisture – Moisture can accumulate in your attic if it is not properly insulated. This moisture can damage the walls and ceiling of your attic, which threatens the structural integrity of your property. Proper attic insulation in Cleveland homes also prevents the moisture in your attic from turning into a breeding ground for mold, which not only threatens the property but also threatens the health of all residents.
Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs – Proper attic insulation in Cleveland homes will reduce your heating and cooling costs by containing the heat within your attic in the summer, thus reducing the amount of heat you will need to generate to keep it warm - most older homes in the Cleveland area built before 1978 did not have insulated walls. By reducing the amount of heat loss from your home during the winter months, you will lower your electric and natural gas bills substantially.

Poor Attic Ventilation Can Ruin Your Insulation, Destroy Your Shingles, and Raise Your Energy Bills! Why Take Risks?

It is estimated that 9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation. Why? Because most people are unaware that attic ventilation in your Cleveland home can impact the longevity of their entire home!

For example, in the summer, an improperly ventilated attic can cause heat to build in excess of 130°F. This superheated air eventually penetrates the non-insulated ceiling thus warming up the living area below.

Types of Damage That Can Result Due to Poor Ventilation in Your Cleveland Home Include:

Premature aging of your roofing system (“fried” shingles)
Warping, cracking, or breaking down of wood framing
Damage to siding, exterior or interior paint, and wallpaper
Higher energy costs

A properly ventilated attic can help reduce the load on your air conditioner by moving the superheated air out of your attic before it builds up and causes damage.

In the winter, various household appliances, bathtubs, showers, and cooking vapors can contribute to excess moisture build-up. Improper ventilation in your home will allow this moisture to collect and cling to the underside of the roof. There, it will condense and fall, soaking the attic insulation and reducing its efficiency. We have special vents that are specifically designed to make sure any and all moisture is transmitted to the outside of your home.

Additional Structural Damage Caused by Poor Ventilation in Your Cleveland Home Include:

Warping of the roof deck and rotting of the wood frame
Mildew growth
Buckling of shingles and felt

Finally, attics should be properly ventilated to help prevent ice dams in cold Northern climates. During the winter, ice and snow on a roof will melt and run down the deck to the cooler eaves. This run-off can re-freeze, creating an ice dam that will trap moisture on the roof. The moisture can eventually back up under the shingles and enter your home — causing hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your ceilings and walls. Adequate attic ventilation will reduce the amount of initial melting that occurs on your roof, thereby reducing the chance that ice dams will form.

Proper Attic Ventilation in Your Cleveland Home

Proper attic ventilation systems allow a continuous flow of outside air through the attic, protecting the efficiency of the insulation and helping to lower temperatures in the living space. It consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge).

The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation (both intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic space. For example, if your attic is 900 square feet, you need a total of 3 square feet of ventilation. This amount is generally divided equally between intake and exhaust ventilation (i.e., 1 – 1/2 feet of each) to ensure proper airflow through the attic.

What Are the Benefits of Blown-in Insulation in Cleveland Homes?

Blown-in insulation is an option for Cleveland homes and businesses. It is sprayed or “blown” into attics and walls to prevent heat escape and keep homes cool in the summer months. Blown-in insulation is rapidly gaining popularity as a form of insulation in Cleveland homes and businesses and is generally growing in popularity across the country.

Reasons to Have Blown-in Insulation in Cleveland

Blown-in insulation in Cleveland homes and businesses certainly has its perks, which explains why it is rapidly gaining popularity as a method of insulation in Cleveland residences.

Energy Efficiency

Blown-in insulation is more energy efficient than most other types of insulation. While insulation is an energy-efficient investment overall, you may want to consider blown insulation in Cleveland.

Environmentally Conscious

The materials used in most types of blown-in insulation are recycled materials. This benefits the environment by using recycled materials instead of synthetics that might otherwise not be biodegradable. Keep this in mind when examining your options for insulation in Cleveland.

Lock Moisture Out

Because blown-in insulation fits in attics and walls much tighter than other types of insulation, it can prevent a substantial amount of moisture from seeping into the insulation. Moisture is a constant problem for insulation in Cleveland, especially during the winter months when the snow of winter months melts. Moisture can have a debilitating effect on your insulation and can render it useless if the moisture damage goes unchecked.

Noise Control

One of the other benefits of blown in insulation’s tight fit in walls and attics, it more thoroughly acts as a noise suppressor to reduce the transfer of sound between rooms and walls. This perk of blown in insulation may be especially appealing to parents or any residents living with a musician. As you increase your energy efficiency, you can also reduce noise and give yourself greater piece of mind.