Frequently Asked Questions

What is R-Value?

What are the recommended R-Values for the different areas of my home?

What does an insulating system do?

What are the areas of my home that should be insulated?

I already have insulation in my home. Do I need more?

My home is already built, how can I add insulation now?

How can my home meet Green Building Guidelines?

What is air sealing?

Why air seal?

Where are the air leaks in my home?

Doesn’t every home need some type of air infiltration?

I am trying to “go green” with my building project. What should I take into consideration when insulating?

How is insulation considered a “green” product?

What is R-Value?

A measurement of an insulations thermal resistance. R-value is the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. R-value = the amount of power a certain thickness of insulation has against heat flow. An R13 fiberglass batt is 3 ½” thick, an R19 batt is 5 ½” thick. The R19 batt is thicker and has greater insulating power. The higher the r-value, the thicker the material, the greater the insulating power.

What are the recommended R-Values for the different areas of my home?

Below is a chart that illustrates the recommended r-value for each part of your home. Please see zones 2 and 3 for Missouri and Illinois. Click to open as PDF document.

What does an insulating system do?
Reduces heating & cooling costs, reduces or eliminates air infiltration, helps control moisture, reduces indoor air pollutants, and helps reduce unwanted noise.

What are the areas of my home that should be insulated?
Attics, Ceilings, Walls, Floors, Basements, etc. This diagram will give you a good idea of the areas that benefit from properly installed insulation.

areas to insulate

I already have insulation in my home. Do I need more?
Inadequate insulation is the primary reason a home loses between 10% and 50% of its energy each year. Additional insulation in the correct places may considerably lower your energy usage. Additionally, adding insulation to your home will result in enhanced comfort. A higher r-value due to additional insulation will result in cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter. Improving efficiency and comfort will add to the value of any home and decrease utility bills.

My home is already built, how can I add insulation now?
Adding insulation to your attic is a fairly simple process that can be done quickly by blowing additional insulation over the existing insulation. You may also add a loose fill insulation to your exterior wall. This is done by drilling a small, 3-inch hole in each of the cavities from the exterior of your home and blowing in insulation. This method does not work with masonry or similarly constructed homes.

How can my home meet Green Building Guidelines?
Spray Foam insulation helps to meet Energy Star’s Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist, and also helps in attaining points towards NAHB’s Green Home Building Guidelines.

What is air sealing?
Air sealing means sealing, with foam, the cracks, crevices, and other areas in your home that may be leaking.

Why air seal?
Air sealing your home will have a number of advantages. It will reduce your energy costs. If heated or cooled air is not able to leak out of your home by way of cracks and crevices, then it will remain in the home where it will continue to keep your home comfortable without the need for turning up the heat or a/c. Air sealing will also improve indoor air quality by not letting pollutants in through those same cracks and crevices. The overall comfort of your home will improve.

cracks and crevices where air leaks out

Where are the air leaks in my home?

air leaks in home

Doesn’t every home need some type of air infiltration?
Fresh air is definitely needed in any home. This is useful for getting rid of excess moisture and reducing odors & stuffiness. If the air being exchanged is controlled, that is ventilation. Every home needs a certain amount of ventilation. The danger lies in the air exchange being uncontrolled. That is called air infiltration.

I am trying to “go green” with my building project. What should I take into consideration when insulating?

Energy conservation and sustainability are greatly improved by the proper insulation choice. By having a properly insulated and air sealed home, you’re decreasing air infiltration and the amount of energy necessary to heat, cool, or maintain a comfortable interior climate.
Sustainability is another important factor. Using materials that will prolong the life of the structure will allow less material usage over time. Spray foam and certain vapor barriers protect your home against moisture, mildew, and mold issues which may threaten your home and begin the process of deterioration to your structure.

How is insulation considered a “green” product?

There are two main factors to consider when thinking about the green qualities of an insulation material. First, does the material promote energy conservation and/or sustainability? Second, is the insulating material made from renewable or recycled product? All insulation has some “green” characteristics due to the fact that insulation keeps conditioned air within a structure and reduces energy usage to a certain degree.

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SPRAY FOAM INSULATION INSULATION EXISTING HOMES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ENERGY STAR NEW HOMES HOME ENERGY CONSULTING THINKING GREEN? COMMERCIAL SERVICES ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS PROJECT GALLERY FAQ'S SITEMAP	Frequently Asked Questions What is R-Value? What are the recommended R-Values for the different areas of my home? What does an insulating system do? What are the areas of my home that should be insulated? I already have insulation in my home. Do I need more? My home is already built, how can I add insulation now? How can my home meet Green Building Guidelines? What is air sealing? Why air seal? Where are the air leaks in my home? Doesn’t every home need some type of air infiltration? I am trying to “go green” with my building project. What should I take into consideration when insulating? How is insulation considered a “green” product? What is R-Value? A measurement of an insulations thermal resistance. R-value is the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. R-value = the amount of power a certain thickness of insulation has against heat flow. An R13 fiberglass batt is 3 ½” thick, an R19 batt is 5 ½” thick. The R19 batt is thicker and has greater insulating power. The higher the r-value, the thicker the material, the greater the insulating power. What are the recommended R-Values for the different areas of my home? Below is a chart that illustrates the recommended r-value for each part of your home. Please see zones 2 and 3 for Missouri and Illinois. Click to open as PDF document. What does an insulating system do? Reduces heating & cooling costs, reduces or eliminates air infiltration, helps control moisture, reduces indoor air pollutants, and helps reduce unwanted noise. What are the areas of my home that should be insulated? Attics, Ceilings, Walls, Floors, Basements, etc. This diagram will give you a good idea of the areas that benefit from properly installed insulation. I already have insulation in my home. Do I need more? Inadequate insulation is the primary reason a home loses between 10% and 50% of its energy each year. Additional insulation in the correct places may considerably lower your energy usage. Additionally, adding insulation to your home will result in enhanced comfort. A higher r-value due to additional insulation will result in cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter. Improving efficiency and comfort will add to the value of any home and decrease utility bills. My home is already built, how can I add insulation now? Adding insulation to your attic is a fairly simple process that can be done quickly by blowing additional insulation over the existing insulation. You may also add a loose fill insulation to your exterior wall. This is done by drilling a small, 3-inch hole in each of the cavities from the exterior of your home and blowing in insulation. This method does not work with masonry or similarly constructed homes. How can my home meet Green Building Guidelines? Spray Foam insulation helps to meet Energy Star’s Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist, and also helps in attaining points towards NAHB’s Green Home Building Guidelines. What is air sealing? Air sealing means sealing, with foam, the cracks, crevices, and other areas in your home that may be leaking. Why air seal? Air sealing your home will have a number of advantages. It will reduce your energy costs. If heated or cooled air is not able to leak out of your home by way of cracks and crevices, then it will remain in the home where it will continue to keep your home comfortable without the need for turning up the heat or a/c. Air sealing will also improve indoor air quality by not letting pollutants in through those same cracks and crevices. The overall comfort of your home will improve. Where are the air leaks in my home? Doesn’t every home need some type of air infiltration? Fresh air is definitely needed in any home. This is useful for getting rid of excess moisture and reducing odors & stuffiness. If the air being exchanged is controlled, that is ventilation. Every home needs a certain amount of ventilation. The danger lies in the air exchange being uncontrolled. That is called air infiltration. I am trying to “go green” with my building project. What should I take into consideration when insulating? Energy conservation and sustainability are greatly improved by the proper insulation choice. By having a properly insulated and air sealed home, you’re decreasing air infiltration and the amount of energy necessary to heat, cool, or maintain a comfortable interior climate. Sustainability is another important factor. Using materials that will prolong the life of the structure will allow less material usage over time. Spray foam and certain vapor barriers protect your home against moisture, mildew, and mold issues which may threaten your home and begin the process of deterioration to your structure. How is insulation considered a “green” product? There are two main factors to consider when thinking about the green qualities of an insulation material. First, does the material promote energy conservation and/or sustainability? Second, is the insulating material made from renewable or recycled product? All insulation has some “green” characteristics due to the fact that insulation keeps conditioned air within a structure and reduces energy usage to a certain degree.