Planning for a Home Renovation? Don’t Forget to Add Some Blown Insulation

Planning for Your Home Renovation

Time stands still for no man or woman, and it doesn’t stand still for your home, either. After some years of service, some things just get to the point that they’ll need repairing or replacing. When planning for a renovation, things like roof replacement, siding replacement, and windows replacement usually land near the top of the list, and rightfully so. Not only are exterior features like these visible and obvious, they’re also very important in terms of the protection they provide for you, your family, and your belongings.

But not every aspect of your home is obvious and visible from the outside. Another key area you should consider when planning any sort of renovation is how your home is performing for you on the inside. Insulation is one of those components that simply doesn’t receive a lot of attention, but it serves some very important functions. The right insulation can significantly enhance both the comfort level and the energy efficiency of your home. At this point, you may be thinking “nah I’m good, my house already has insulation.” Well, not necessarily. Many contractors only put in the minimum amount of required insulation during original construction, and chances are very good that both your attic and your home are currently under-insulated!

When Is It Time to Add More Insulation?

How do you know when it’s time to add more insulation? One good indicator is to simply get a read on how it generally feels inside your climate-controlled space. Does your home feel too cold in the winter? Too warm in the summer? That’s a good sign that your current insulation is starting to lose some of its performance properties, or that you simply don’t have enough insulation to begin with. Rising utility bills are another indicator that your current insulation is no longer doing its job properly. If you’re seeing elevated heating and/or cooling costs, another good idea is to ask your utility provider to come out and conduct a home energy audit; many local providers will subsidize the cost of such an audit. Alternatively, you can try conducting a basic home energy audit yourself.

Another perfect time to add insulation is when you’re already in the midst of a home renovation project. Adding more insulation will definitely be worth the cost if you plan to continue living in your home for the foreseeable future. The longer you stay there, the more you’ll recoup in energy savings each year. Plus, if you’re already in renovation mode, having your insulation done at the same time you’re tackling other projects can actually be even less expensive in terms of up-front costs.

What About Blown-In Insulation?

Blown-in insulation, which is also called loose-fill or plain “blown” insulation, works much like it sounds. Loose material (which can include fiberglass, mineral wool, and/or cellulose) is blown into attics, inside walls, and other internal cavities with special equipment. Blown insulation can be used as a primary insulation material in itself, or it can also be added to whatever existing insulation you already have in order to help fill in missing gaps and boost the overall R-value. Blown insulation does more than just help maintain a more constant temperature inside your home. It can also help to regulate humidity levels, and aids in preventing moisture from seeping into certain areas.

Why Is Blown Insulation the Best Choice?

What makes blown insulation a great solution for your home? For one thing, it has a higher R-value than batts or foam boards. Blown insulation is also able to reach places that batts and boards simply can’t, helping to fill up more of your cracks and crevices. In addition, blown insulation is engineered to be both moisture-resistant and fire-resistant. Below is a simple summary of just some of blown insulation’s finer points:

• Better for filling in hard-to-reach spaces
• One of the best ways to promote better energy efficiency for your home
• Can help reduce your utility costs anywhere between 20 and 50 percent, depending upon your particular climate and upon what existing insulation you’ve got now
• Fire-resistant, and also resists mold & mildew development
• Provides measurable noise reduction
• Helps control humidity levels
• Can be installed on top of and around existing insulation
• Contains a significant percentage of recycled materials, so it’s a “greener” insulation choice
• May help you to qualify for specific energy tax credits

The Best Way to Install Blown Insulation? Entrust the Job to the Pros at Skywalker Windows & Siding!

Adding some blown-in insulation as part of your home renovation project is really a smart move. It’s an effective way to help protect your home or business from heat loss, moisture infiltration, and rising energy costs. But what’s the best way to put in blown insulation? While the uneducated might assume that blown insulation can be taken on as a simple DIY project, it’s actually more complicated than you may realize. Unless you have training and experience working with blown insulation – and also have access to all the needed specialized tools and equipment – this is really one job that’s better off left to a licensed, insured professional.

And in NC & VA, Skywalker Windows & Siding is that professional! We know how to make sure that blown insulation particles are evenly distributed, making sure there’s no unnecessary load pressure on your ceilings and walls. We also know how to minimize the possibility of any blown insulation materials finding their way into your living space.

Plus, Skywalker Windows and Siding does much more than just blown insulation. We can take care of everything from windows replacement, to siding replacement, to skylight installation, to porch and deck additions. But what about the roof overhead? Yep, we offer comprehensive roofing services too! We can replace your roof with any material you prefer (shingles, metal, slate, tile, wood shakes, composite materials, and more), and we also do fascia & soffit work, custom gutter installations, and gutter guard installations, too.

In other words, if you’re looking for someone you can trust to take care of several home renovation needs at once, then look no further than Skywalker! If your home or business is located in the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Charlotte Metro/Lake Norman area, or southern VA (including Roanoke) region, then Skywalker has you covered! Reach out to us today through our website, or simply give us a call at (336) 265-9595. Let’s connect, and take the opportunity to experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!