roof-insulation-blog

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AEROLITE INSTALLERS CAPE TOWN

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AEROLITE INSTALLERS CAPE TOWN

  As Aerolite Installers we are regarded as the most experienced Roof Insulation Installers in South Africa. With many years of experience in the Industrial Insulation sector as well as the domestic home market we are your one stop Roof Insulation Experts. In fact, Aerolite installers Cape Town have been in the insulation industry for more than 30 years.

You will notice by making a call to our office that we are very passionate about insulation. It is great to be in an industry that we believe in and can see instant results in a home that we insulate.

Aerolite Installers Cape Town

Highly trained Aerolite Installers who are all permanent staff.

Full supervision of our site supervisor on all installations

All our workmanship is guaranteed for 5 years.

Comprehensive insurance on all work done for your peace of mind.

Installers of SABS and approved insulation products.

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10 Energy Saving Solutions For Your Home That Will Really Save You Money

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10 Energy Saving Solutions For Your Home That Will Really Save You Money#Aerolite, #EnergySavingSolutions, #RoofInsulation

Want to know how to stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer without having a crazy electric bill? Energy saving solutions come in all shapes and sizes. Some can save you just a little. Others will save you a lot.

Let’s explore some solutions that can really save you a lot of money.

1. Only Use Warm/Hot Water On Very Dirty Clothes

You do it. Your parents did it. And likely your grandparents did it too. Setting the washing machine to warm for most loads just seems like common sense.

Except this common sense is very wrong. Most loads will get perfectly clean on cold. You don’t even need special detergent.

The savings isn’t small change. The average load on warm/hot will cost you about $0.68 in electricity, not including the dryer. The average load on cold will cost you about $0.03.

For a family of 4, doing one load a day, that’s a significant saving. Such energy saving solutions can seem small, but save you a lot.

2. Get a Programmable Thermostat

For central heating and cooling systems, the programmable thermostat allows you to automatically adjust the temperature when you leave for work or go to sleep. The thermostat then returns the temperature to your preferred temperature when you wake or return home.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% on air conditioner (AC) energy simply by adjusting the temperature by 8-10 degrees. They recommend a programmable thermostat to automate this function.

Central air is the most expensive appliance in most homes, so this is a major saving. We’ll speak more about energy saving solutions related to this very expensive appliance as we continue along.

3. Avoid Using the Stove and Oven During the Day in Summer

These appliances put off large amounts of heat that your AC will need to deal with to cool the home. When possible, save their usage for evenings when the house is cooling off naturally.

While you probably don’t want to cook every meal in the microwave, it does use less energy and doesn’t heat the house.

If you must use the stove or oven, turn on the fan to pull heat out through the attic.

4. Switch to LED Lights

There is some initial investment but LED doesn’t just save you a little. It saves a lot of energy both in the form of electricity for lighting and in cooling the home.

Traditional light bulbs generate a lot of extra heat. LED’s use 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and close to 20% less than compact fluorescents (CFLs).

Not ready to splurge on LED yet? That’s okay. CFL’s are significantly more efficient than incandescent.

5. Clean the Lint Screen on Your Dryer After Every 2-3 Loads

A filthy lint screen increases the amount of electricity needed to dry a load of clothes.

A heavy load of clothes in a moderately efficient dryer should dry within 30-45 minutes. A dirty screen can increase this by as much as 15-30 minutes.

This will add around $0.35 in electricity per load. When you consider how many loads you dry, this could be over $100 of wasted energy. And don’t forget to get the ducts cleaned periodically. Dirty screens and ducts are also a fire hazard.

6. Avoid Space Heaters Most of the Time

It seems like only heating the room that you’re in makes good energy sense. But space heaters actually use more electricity than a central unit and are rarely an energy saving method to heat a room.

Know when they make sense.

Space heaters cost about 170% more to run than central heat for the same space size.

But when using a space heater, you’re rarely heating the whole home.

If you live in a very large home and only need to heat one small room, an energy efficient space heater may make sense. If you’re heating multiple rooms, you’re using a lot more energy than you need to. Plus they could be a fire hazard.

Find a whole house temperature that makes you comfortable, dress adequately and use a blanket when sitting if necessary.

7. Consider Insulated Windows

The eyes are the windows to the soul. And your home’s windows can open your home up to almost free flowing energy waste.

According to Energy Star, you can save up to $500 a year by replacing single-pane windows with Energy Star rated windows.

Not ready for an upgrade yet? Makes sure windows are properly sealed. And invest in these windows helps reduce heat loss in the winter and heat entry in the summer.

8. Plant a Tree

Not only will planting a tree make the air cleaner, it will shade your house. If your house is out in the open, planting a tree near the west wall where you’ll get the evening sun can significantly reduce energy waste.

Look for a fast growing tree that you can plant relatively close to the house. Tall bushes along a wall that takes a sun ray pounding will also help.

9. Seal Leaky Doors

You may have sealed around your doors years ago. But if you frequently use them, the sealants, strips and other insulators will corrode over time.

Feel around your door for spots where it air is getting through and — when possible — seal to reduce the airflow.

10. Add Insulation

Insulation doesn’t just belong in the attic. Insulation in the crawlspace, external walls and around recessed lighting and other important places can help cut Heating & Cooling costs by 30%.

Wait! That was 10% we could save from using a programmable thermostat and another 30% from proper insulation. Plus all of the savings from windows and smart appliance usage. With these energy saving solutions, we could potentially get the cost of AC down to almost nothing.

For most homes, this is equivalent to saving around $1000/yr.

In fact, your home is more than 25 years old and very poorly insulated, the savings may be even more.

Energy Saving Solutions Can Save You A Lot

In fact, some energy saving solutions are free. Others are an investment in your home that will pay you back several times over in a short period of time.

Proper insulation is one of these investments. It makes smart financial sense.

To learn more about insulations or schedule an appointment, contact us today.

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FREE CELLULOSE FIBER ROOF INSULATION

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FREE CELLULOSE FIBER ROOF INSULATION#CelluloseFiberRoofInsulation, #CelluloseInsulation, #PupedInRoofInsulation, #RoofInsulation, #SprayInRoofInsulation

Anyone in need for Free Cellulose Fiber Roof Insulation please give us a call. Roof Insulation Cape Town removes loads of Cellulose Insulation from homes in the Western Cape region. We would not recommend installing this old Cellulose Fiber Roof Insulation in your home. However, it would be ideal for someone that needs to use the old paper as a binder. Unfortunately, because of all the chemicals in the paper insulation, we can only dump this insulation product at a hazardous chemical dump site. Obviously this cost money and time.  So if you are a business that has a need for this finely shredded paper insulation you are welcome to collect.

However, it would be ideal for someone that needs to use the old paper as a binder. Unfortunately, because of all the chemicals in the paper insulation, we can only dump this insulation product at a hazardous chemical dump site. Obviously this cost money and time.  So if you are a business that has

However, it would be ideal for someone that needs to use the old paper as a binder. Unfortunately, because of all the chemicals in the paper insulation, we can only dump this insulation product at a hazardous chemical dump site. Obviously this cost money and time.  So if you are a business that has a need for this type of paper give us a call and you are welcome to collect.

Roof Insulation Western Cape are installers of only roll-form roof insulation products. In order for homeowners to install the roll form insulation, we need to remove the cellulose insulation.

We Remove Cellulose Fiber Roof Insulation With A Massive Roof Vacuum Machine

Roof Insulation Cape Town has a large vacuum machine that removes cellulose insulation. In fact, the roof vacuum machine stands outside of the home and the large vacuum pipe goes through the roof.

This machine sucks out all the cellulose including all rats that might have nested in the insulation. Any additional roof dust will be removed at the same time.

What is Cellulose Fiber Roof Insulation?

In fact, cellulose fiber roof insulation is finely shredded newsprint paper with a chemical compound of up to 25%. Is the Cellulose insulation as effective as normal roof insulation types?

The answer to this would be yes. If the product could be pumped in at the correct thickness across the entire roof space. However, this is not really possible as one relies on the human eye to be sure of the correct thickness.

The chemical compound in the cellulose is mostly fire retardants and rat poison or chemicals to reduce the impact of rats nesting in the finely shredded paper dust insulation.

Why are Homeowners Removing Cellulose Insulation?

In most cases, Cellulose Fiber Roof Insulation is removed because of water damage. In fact, because the cellulose is mostly fine dust paper. As you can imagine fine paper will absorb water if your home has a roof leak. This is not a good thing to happen. If there is a substantial amount of water falling onto the insulation this will end up with a ceiling collapse.

This is not a good thing to happen if there is a substantial amount of water falling onto the insulation this will end up with a ceiling collapse. In fact, water leak damage. And the fact that the paper will often shift to other parts of the home depending on the wind strength.

Other reasons seem to be allergy related. Coastal winds, as well as moisture, are a problem. As many homeowners need to have this removed in order to install Roll form insulation products like Aerolite Roof Insulation and Isotherm Roof Insulation.

Please note this is not a cellulose fiber bashing post. Rather this post is to find a solution. Hopefully, we can find a company that maybe be able to use this product rather than dumping. Recycling of anything is important and this is sad to see so much paper being dumped. If there is a way to use this cellulose that will be great.

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Fix Your Freezing Cold Home This Winter

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Fix Your Freezing Cold Home This Winter#AeroliteRoofInsulation, #IsothermRoofInsulation, #KeepWarmInWinter

So winter has arrived in full force and your home is freezing cold. You light a fire to help but that’s expensive as wood burns so does the money in your pocket. Others try and warm up their homes with electric heaters as well this is expensive. Typically Uninsulated homes will consume more than 40% energy than insulated homes. So what’s the plan to reduce your monthly spend on extra energy? Let us have a look at what Roof Insulation Products will work best to keep your home warm.

The correct Thermal Insulation will fix your freezing home this winter.

Why Are Uninsulated Homes Costly To Keep Warm?

Firstly more than 40 of all your home’s energy is lost through the ceiling into the roof space. An additional 25% energy loss is through window glass. Secondly, some homes are classified as leaky homes. This means that cold air from the outside of the home will leak into the home. With all the energy loss in these homes, the first order of business is to Install Roof Insulation.

Uninsulated homes are costly to keep warm because of the amount of energy loss. Installing Roof Insulation on your ceiling will reduce the temperature in summer by 4 to 8 degrees c. And about the same for winter. In fact what this means is far less energy is needed to keep your home warm.

Even when heating the home in winter an insulated home will use far less energy to keep the entire home warm. It has been estimated that an insulated roof should recover the cost of heating and cooling in two to three years.

What Roof Insulation Products To Install And What Thickness?

There are many Roof Insulation Products on the market. So what Roof Insulation would be the best to install? There are many Roof Insulation Products on the market in South Africa. Installing the correct insulation is very important as this should be a once of cost with years of energy saving. Roof Insulation Products should be SABS approved and should not be affected by the wind. Typically what comes to mind is the pumped in Cellulose fiber type insulation products that are like loose paper dust.

Roof Insulation Products should be SABS approved and should not be affected by the wind. Typically what comes to mind is the pumped in Cellulose fiber type insulation products that are like loose paper dust.

Installing roll form insulation is far more beneficial as this does not get affected by wind and water. Making sure that the products that are installing in the roof space are SANS compliant as per the new legislation and have a long lifespan.

Aerolite Roof Insulation Products

The Aerolite Roof Insulation is a class product compared to the old Aerolite Roof Insulation from years ago. In fact, this insulation is today manufactured by the largest Insulation manufacturer in the world. Aerolite has the best fire rating of all Roof Insulation products. With a fire rating Class A/1. This Roof Insulation product will not burn. In fact even when exposed to a blowtorch the insulation will not ignite.

Aerolite Thermal Insulation properties are great. In fact,  135mm Aerolite Thermal Insulation has an R-value 3.78 when installed. This is great as the Insulation has the ability to reduce energy loss via the ceiling by as much as 90%. Saving on energy and keeping warm in winter and cooler in summer.

Aerolite Roof Insulation has great sound proofing qualities. In fact, the 135mm Aerolite Roof Insulation has a Noise Reduction Coefficient NRC 1.1. This is great for sound proofing and reducing the impact of noise pollution from neighbors or road traffic.

Isotherm Roof Insulation Products

The Isotherm Roof Insulation is a polyester-based insulation product. Manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. Isotherm Roof Insulation is dust free and allergy free roof insulation. However, the only downfall is the fire rating Class B/B 1/2 this means the product will not sustain a flame. The Isotherm will burn with a flame but will not continue to burn when there is no flame.

Isotherm Thermal Insulation is great for saving energy. In fact, the Isotherm Thermal Insulation will also reduce the heat loss or gain by as much as 90%. This is great as there are life long energy saving benefits thereafter.

An added bonus is that Isotherm Roof Insulation has a 30-year manufacturer guarantee. The perfect thickness to install is the 145mm Isotherm Thermal Insulation. This thickness will give you the recommended R-value of 3.70 when installed.

Double Glazed Windows

Double Glazed Windows are also a huge benefit for energy saving. In fact, with 25% of energy lost through the glass, this will reduce this loss substantially. Unfortunately, Double Glazed Windows are no to cheap in South Africa and can run into a few hundred thousand rands for an average home.

Is there An Alternative that Might Help Reduce Loss Through Windows?

The only other option that will help is to have very heavy curtaining installed on all windows. This will act as an insulation barrier between the cold window and the curtains. In effect reducing the energy loss through these areas. Another point to consider is a leaking window. In fact, it is important to try and seal off the cold air from entering the home.

So these few easy steps will reduce heat loss and gain in the home. A  Comfortable home is a happy healthy home.

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How the Best Roof Insulation Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient

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How the Best Roof Insulation Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient#Aerolite, #BestRoofInsulation, #Isotherm, #RoofInsulation

How the Best Roof Insulation Makes Your Home More Energy Efficient

There are many ways to make your home energy-efficient. You can start with simple steps such as replacing old appliances or switching to LED bulbs. Or you can implement an energy-efficient home design if you’re still in the initial stages of building your home.

Now whether you’ve been a homeowner for years or are just beginning construction of your dream home, you have to pay special attention to your roof insulation if you’re concerned with your home’s energy and cost savings.

The best roof insulation can save you up to 40 percent in heating and cooling bills. Plus, it can also reduce mold and dampness which is a must for maintaining a healthy and safe home.

Let’s take a closer look at how the best roof insulation helps conserve energy.

The Science of Insulation

You know from science classes that metals conduct heat, while wood and other insulating materials are poor conductors. You also know that when a hot surface comes in contact with cooler air, the latter becomes warmer and rises upwards. Eventually, all heat is removed from the hot surface and conducted to the air.

Now, an insulating material reduces heat exchange through a surface. This could be a roof, a wall, or an attic duct. If a home is well-insulated, the house is able to retain heat during the winter and keep cool during the summer.

On the other hand, using the wrong kind of insulation will increase your energy consumption. You’ll be spending more on heating and cooling systems to keep your house comfy (i.e. warm in the winter and cold in the summer). You’ll also be increasing your greenhouse gas emissions when you choose subpar insulation.

Why Insulate Your Roof

In a previous post, we mentioned how proper roof insulation offers year-round benefits. The most obvious benefit, of course, is that it prevents energy loss so you’ll have a comfy house whatever the season.

Other benefits include prolonging the life of your roof and keeping the structural integrity of your house. In the winter, roofs that aren’t properly insulated are susceptible to ice dams that weigh heavily on roof structures. Condensation could also collect on the interior of the sheathing, which in the summer can lead to wood rot and mold growth.

If you’re not sure if your current roof insulation is doing its job, your best bet is to consult an insulation expert. But keep in mind that it doesn’t always take an expert to see if you don’t have the best roof insulation installed. If you’ve got high utility bills, drafty rooms, or especially hot or cold ceilings, you need to upgrade your roof insulation.

Best Roof Insulation Options

Because roof insulation is compulsory in all new homes in South Africa, you need to understand your roof insulation options. As insulation experts, we recommend two insulation products: Isotherm and Aerolite.

Isotherm is insulation made from PET plastic bottles. It’s a versatile product, which makes it great as insulation for roofs and inside walls.

Aside from being versatile, it’s an eco-friendly option. Even very young children can play with this insulation product. It also has a long lifespan and is valued for being dust-free and allergy-free since it has no loose fibers

Aerolite, on the other hand, is a fiberglass insulation product produced from recycled glass bottles. One advantage to using Aerolite is it’s non-combustible, meaning it won’t easily catch fire. It also has sound proofing properties and is bio-soluble.

Energy and Cost Savings

If you choose to have either Isotherm or Aerolite installed as your roof insulation, you’ll be glad to know that these products practically pay for themselves.

In terms of energy savings, you can recoup the cost of Isotherm installation within 2 to 3 years. You’ll also save on maintenance fees since Isotherm doesn’t degrade and is resistant to damp and condensation. Also, unlike other insulation materials, Isotherm dries out naturally when exposed to liquids and is free from chemical additives.

As for Aerolite, you can expect to recover the cost of installation in less than 2 years. It also doesn’t require any complicated installation process. Even in the hardest to reach corners of the roof, Aerolite is very easy to install.

Roof Insulation Specifications

As we’ve said before, the SANS legislation on roof insulation is very specific. All new homes built after January 2013 must have insulation with a corresponding R-value for the particular area you live in.

For Aerolite, you can check specifications here. We recommend the Aerolite 135 mm roof insulation if you have a home in Johannesburg, Pretoria, or the Western Cape region. It is SANS compliant, meaning it meets the recommended R-value, which is 3.70.

As for Isotherm specifications, you can view them here. Isotherm is ISO 9001 certified and is recognized by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Conclusion

There are many ways to create an energy-efficient home. Your options range from the very simple (e.g. switching to LED bulbs or replacing old appliances) to a more complicated process (i.e. designing a new home or remodeling an existing one to be more energy-efficient.)

Whatever approach you take, don’t forget to pay special attention to your roof insulation. When you choose the best roof insulation, you’ll reap numerous benefits such as having a comfortable house year-round and saving money on utility bills.

As insulation experts in South Africa, we recommend Isotherm and Aerolite as your best options. Both offer considerable cost and energy savings and they’re also great for the environment. Make sure you read up on roof specifications so you can get the right one for your home.

Need Roof Insulation Help?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can easily reach us at the following numbers:

021-837-1824

021-553-0650

Cell: 074-289-3007

If you need more information on Aerolite and Isotherm, we recommend you browse this quick guide. You can also check our blog to know more about roof insulation and home energy saving tips.

Get your FREE QUOTE now!

[roof-insulation-blog]

7 Essential Tips for Roof Insulation Services

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7 Essential Tips for Roof Insulation Services#InsulationServices, #IsothermInsulation, #RoofInsulation

You take pride in your house, and you do whatever you can to make sure it’s in peak condition. Despite your work, you still feel like there’s something missing.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of summer or the dead of winter, your house always seems to feel like the season it is outside.

Insulation services could be what you need to make your house comfortable. The next time your house feels too cold or too warm, call a contractor instead of your HVAC repairman.

How to get the best insulation services

If your house feels uncomfortable throughout the year, your home may not be properly insulated. When it comes to proper home insulation, look no further than your house’s roof.

When there are gaps in the sealing and insulation around the roof, you may find that your home isn’t heating or cooling properly. Roof insulation could be what you need to finally have a comfortable home, and it could even save you money on your energy bills.

When it comes to insulation services, you have your pick. There are plenty of people that claim to be insulation experts. However, when you see the end results of their work you may wonder what makes them claim the expertise.

You want to make sure that you get the best services possible when you’re getting insulation for your home. Luckily you don’t need to be an insulation expert to pick the right contractors or company to work on your home.

Are you curious about what you should look for when you need roof insulation? Make sure you pay attention to these things when you shop around.

Ask about subcontractors

It isn’t uncommon for certain insulation services and companies to subcontract out their work during busy times. It may not be an unusual thing to do, but it’s something that you’ll want to know about before you agree to any kind of work.

Certain subcontractors may follow their own rules and procedures when they do work. They could work differently from the original contractor that you hired to do the job.

Ask about their policy on using subcontractors before you use their services. If they do use them, ask if you can speak with them before you agree to use their services.

Know their material specialty

There are a variety of insulation materials being used right now. Some materials work better in warmer climates and others do well in colder climates.

There may be a kind of insulation material recommended for your environment or your house. That’s why you should learn about the kind of materials the roofers work best with.

When you’re looking for insulation specialists, ask what materials they work with. See if they’re able to work with the insulation material you prefer.

Look for factory certification

Factory certification isn’t given to just any contractor. Material manufacturers only allow certain companies to say they’re certified to use their products. They have to meet strict standards set by the company to have that certification.

If you’re really concerned about the kind of material your contractors are using, you can do more than simply ask about what they prefer to work with. If you want to ensure that you’re getting the best insulation services, see if they’re factory certified.

Ask about licenses

Before you agree to use any insulation services, it’s important to ensure that they’re legally allowed to do any kind of roofing work in your area. Licenses are dispensed to ensure that only skilled workers are able to do roofing work.

An unlicensed roofer could end up costing you more in the long run. If they end up doing bad work, you could spend more money fixing their mistakes. If they aren’t licensed they may not be using proper insulation materials, which could end up causing the same heating and cooling issues you were having before.

Don’t make the mistake of using unlicensed insulation services. Only work with companies that can offer you proof of their expertise.

Think about allergies

Are you or your family members particularly sensitive to dust? If you have asthma or have problems with breathing in particulate matter, you need to keep that in mind when you’re looking for insulation help.

If you have health concerns, you may want to use a contractor that can work with dust-free materials. Isotherm is a dust-free insulation material that could be the best choice for your needs, but not every roofer can work with it.

Be sure to bring up your health and allergy concerns when you’re looking for roof insulation services. That way, contractors will be able to know about your needs before they start estimates. Plus, you can ensure that you’re getting the right material.

Ask about communication

Do you know how your contractor would tell you that they’ve discovered a problem while working? Would they immediately tell you that the price estimate on the job has gone up? Or, would they continue to do work then charge you at the end?

“What-if” scenarios may not seem important, but you need to know how the contractor plans on communicating potential problems and roadblocks during the project. Knowing what to expect communication-wise can make things go much smoother. It will also help ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises throughout the process.

Learn about other services

If you’re looking for someone to perform roofing insulation work, it’s safe to assume that you may need other home repair services. You may be asking about insulations services, but it would be helpful to ask about what other services the company specializes in.

See if they can do insulation work in other areas of your home. Ask if they do work with shingles or other kinds of roof work. If you get multiple jobs done at the same time, you may be able to get a discount.

Next steps

Now that you know what you need to look for in an insulation services provider, you may be eager to book an appointment for an estimate. If you’re ready to improve your roof insulation, contact us so we can help.

[roof-insulation-blog]

New Post has been published on https://roofinsulations.co.za/attic-insulation-2/

#AtticInsulation, #Isotherm, #IsothermInsulation

10 Things to Know Before Getting New Attic Insulation

As the season’s change, half the world is heading into summer, while the other half is heading into winter. Is your attic insulation in good order.

Either way, people will be focusing on their energy bills soon.

Fortunately, there are some ways to save energy by keeping in warmth in the winter and keeping cool air inside during the summer. It all comes down to proper insulation.

What many people may not realize is that while their main living space may be adequately insulated, other areas of the home fall short. Your attic is likely one of those places.

Attic insulation is often overlooked. Because people rarely use their attic for anything other than storage, they don’t really care how comfortable it is. But your attic actually has a lot to do with your comfort level downstairs, too.

Because heat rises, in the winter the heated air running through your home can get lost as it moves up through the attic. And in the summer, all of the heat from your roof makes its way inside. It’s a vicious cycle.

But before you start insulating your attic, there are a few things to keep in mind.

A 10 Step Checklist for Attic Insulation

1. Check the Structural Integrity of Your Rafters

While insulating your attic will prevent heat loss in the winter, that added heat does have at least one benefit – snow melt.

As previously stated, heat rises, meaning it will go up your house through the attic. If you’ve recently had a heavy snowfall, that added heat can actually melt the snow on your roof.

Snow is very heavy, so having that heat melt the snow takes a load off of your roof. Once that heat is taken away through insulation, the snow will stay on your roof until the sun thaws it.

If your rafters are old, sagging, or rotting, they may not be strong enough to hold the heavy snow. This is a major problem and can easily cause your roof to collapse. Make sure your rafters are up to code or reinforced before insulating.

2. Make Sure the Attic is Sealed

If you know of any leaks in the roof or anywhere around the attic, get those sealed first. They will be easier to find before you add the insulation, and it’s important to address those so you’re not wasting time looking for them later.

3. Get an Energy Audit

This can come before or after sealing the attic, depending on how confident you are in your ability to find leaks.

An energy audit is a good idea throughout the home to determine where you’re losing heat or cool air.

Once you know the problem areas, you can address them by sealing leaks and/or adding more insulation.

4. Move Stored Items and Pull Up the Plywood

It should go without saying, but if your attic is currently being used for storage, that’s going to have to change for the moment.

Get rid of all the old boxes and mementos and get the place cleared. Not only will things get messy, they’ll be in the way.

You’ll also need to pull up any plywood or another flooring in order to get the insulation between the floor joists. You’re not just insulating the walls of the attic – you’re insulating the entire structure top to bottom.

Get everything cleared out ahead of time.

5. Install Vent Chutes

Installing vent chutes is one step many people miss in attic insulation.

It’s important to maintain air flow in the attic to remove heat and moisture from the surrounding air. Adding the appropriate vents at the eaves will allow for this air flow to occur.

If vents were already in place, check to make sure they’re in good condition and they aren’t blocked.

6. Establish Your Budget

Insulating your attic is a great way to reduce energy costs, but there are a lot of different options that carry different price tags.

Before you get started, do some research to see which materials and methods will fit in your budget.

Don’t get discouraged if the first option you find is over budget – there are plenty more. And remember that this will add value and comfort to your home.

7. Choose the Right Insulation

Once you’ve established your budget, talk to professionals who can tell you which options will fit your budget and needs.

Different brands and materials have different advantages.

If you or a family member is prone to allergies, Isotherm insulation is dust-free and safe for allergies.

If you’re looking for an option that provides sound proofing as well (which can be great for corrugated metal roofs that can get loud during rain storms), Aerolite insulation works well.

8. Hire a Pro or DIY?

If you’re on a strict budget and have experience with housework, you can probably get away with installing attic insulation on your own (with help from a friend or family member).

However, it’s always a good idea to at least reach out to an insulation professional who can point out things you may have missed.

Maybe your vents weren’t properly installed, or you missed a leak somewhere along the roof. A professional has a keen eye to look for these things and knows how to fix them.

Similarly, they can offer advice on the type of insulation that will work best in your home. It’s a big job, so you want it done right.

9. Set Aside a Few Days to Work

Whether you’re installing the attic insulation yourself or hiring a pro, make sure you clear a few days on the calendar just in case issues pop up.

It’s always possible you’ll find cracks in floor joists that you didn’t see before, or notice a pest infestation that was hidden by older insulation or other debris. These are all problems that will have to be solved before an insulating happens.

And if it’s a large attic space, applying the insulation alone will take time. So it’s best to plan for at least a weekend devoted to the task.

10. Apply the Insulation

Congratulations! By now you should be ready to get started applying the insulation itself. Make sure you have the proper protective gear like gloves, goggles, and face masks to keep things clean.

Even with dust-free options, you can never be too safe.

Finding an Attic Insulation Installer

As you begin looking for insulation professionals, search for those who are insured and licensed distributors. If you’re looking for a local insulation installer, check our coverage areas to find an installer near you.

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When Should You Replace Your Roof Insulation?

New Post has been published on https://roofinsulations.co.za/replace-roof-insulation/

When Should You Replace Your Roof Insulation?#RoofInsulation

When Should You Replace Your Roof Insulation?

Do you know when your roof insulation should be replaced? You may think that it’s tucked into your attic, doing its job. However, there are some telltale signs that your insulation could work a little harder.

Insulation helps save you money and helps conserve energy, but what happens when it doesn’t do any of those things?

Well, you start spending more money, for starters. But how do you know that there may be a problem?

We’ve got 5 ways to tell if your insulation may need to be replaced. Let’s read on!

Higher bills

When you think of your utility bill, what’s the first thing you think of? Your air conditioning and your heating, right?

If you’re anything like us, your utility bill likely stays pretty consistent through the seasons. Sure, you might pay more in the summertime or the dead of winter as you use more air and heat, respectively. Still, overall, you probably can estimate your costs pretty well.

If your bill is slowly becoming inconsistent, though, your roof insulation may be to blame. If your roof insulation is getting too old or needs replacing, it won’t be able to properly keep your house at a certain temperature.

This means that you may see sudden spikes as your system has to work harder to make up for the bad insulation.

Getting chills

When you use your air conditioning or your heat, you expect your house to be one temperature, right?

Sure, the system may be unable to reach some parts of your house, like that bedroom in the back that’s always a little bit drafty. Still, similar to the consistency of your utility bill, you can probably count on your house to refrain from any wild temperature fluctuations.

However, are you suddenly finding hot spots and chill zones in your home? Your roof insulation may be to blame.

If your insulation needs replacing, you can figure this out by just taking a walk through your house. If the temperature isn’t consistent throughout your entire home, look into getting your insulation replaced.

Quality dropping

Even though it’s sure to create chaos with your utility bills and the temperature of your home, there are other signs that your roof insulation may need replacing.

How old is your house? Is it new, or was it built a few decades ago? Do you happen to know the last time the insulation was replaced?

The insulation used in old homes wasn’t the best, and certainly isn’t up to our standards for insulation today.

If you don’t know the last time the insulation was replaced, or you just don’t know whether or not it’s too old, there’s an easy way to find out. Put on a rubber or a latex glove, make your way up to the attic, and just feel it.

Good insulation will be sturdy and strong. Old insulation, however, you’ll know immediately by the way it falls apart in your hand.

Unfriendly guests

All the sprays in the world can’t protect your home against pests when you have faulty, old, or poor-quality insulation.

However, pests can also be to blame for your insulation suddenly losing its sturdiness or quality.

Just like how you want your home to be cozy and welcoming, insects and other vermin are just the same. Where’s the best place for something small to make a cozy little burrow for itself? Why, the soft, squishy insulation in your attic, of course!

Regardless of the time of year, and regardless of where you find the bugs, it’s best to be suspicious of your insulation.

If it’s one or two bugs occasionally, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, if you have a full-blown infestation, it’s worth it to take a look at your insulation. Even if you don’t find anything too suspect, it would probably be a good idea to toss it.

After all, you don’t know what the bugs and vermin have done to it. This can help avoid further deterioration of your insulation, which will help you avoid these problems in the coming months.

Water damage

When it rains heavily, leaks are relatively common despite any guards or preventative measures you may have. This goes double if you have an old house; sometimes, water just seeps into cracks that you can’t repair.

There’s a downside to this: water can easily seep into your insulation. Insulation is soft and very absorbent, so while you may not see evidence on your floors or walls, your insulation may be taking the brunt of the damage.

Therefore, if you live in an area that experiences heavy rain regularly, it may be worth it to check the insulation. If insulation does get wet and doesn’t have the chance to properly dry, it will mold – and we’re sure we don’t have to tell you about the dangers of mold.

If you’ve experienced heavy storms recently, or your area’s gone through a flood, it’s a good idea to at least check your roof insulation. Even if nothing seems wrong, there’s a chance it could be too late if mold has already struck.

Does your roof insulation need replacing?

Some people don’t think much about their roof insulation. It’s stuck into the walls, it helps your home maintain its temperature, and as long as it’s there, there’s no harm in forgetting it.

We don’t have to tell you that this is a terrible approach, but we will anyway.

There comes a point when all insulation needs to be replaced. This can be due to age, which you can see by touching the insulation. Anything that falls apart is too old to help your home.

Additionally, if your area experiences heavy storms, or you’ve dealt with a pest infestation lately, these are all great reasons to look into replacing your roof insulation.

Don’t let those temperature changes drive you crazy any longer! You deserve to be comfortable in your own home, so don’t be afraid to give us a call today!