logo
833-362-6489
logo
833-362-6489

What Areas of a Home Should You Insulate?

Attic Insulation: Most homes in GA have fiberglass on the floor of their attic while some others have ground up cellulose product installed on the floor. Certainly the lowers price point option for most existing homes is to blow in in fiberglass and top off the existing insulation. With blown-in fiberglass, it needs to be topped off and re-dressed about every 5 years because it settles, gets moved aside as other contractors (HVAC/electric) have to move through the attic and push it aside so that they can work. Blown-in fiberglass also gets wind-washed during large storms which will blow the fiberglass insulation off of the edges and and leaves exposed areas which affect proper insulation. For example: 2” of exposed edges along a 6’ space means that you have you now have 12 sq ft of uninsulated attic. The fiberglass insulation allows for the attic to continue its airflow/air movement, bringing air in from the soffets and the attic exhales the air through the ridge vent, gable vent, and other passive vents. Blown-in fiberglass can also be done by a homeowner who wants to take on a DIY project, but the biggest downside to fiberglass insulation is that it contributes to the stack effect, increasing the flow of air out of the attic and ultimately increasing the amount of conditioned air that moves from your home up into your attic.

Here in the Southeast, especially in Georgia, open cell spray foam is the most appropriate and certainly on a roof deck that has traditional asphalt shingles. Installing spray foam is an upgrade to your home because the technology moves your home from a ventilated attic system to an unventilated attic system. The performance of an unventilated attic with spray foam insulation far exceeds the capabilities of a ventilated attic system with blown-in fiberglass insulation. Some of the reasons for this are that it stops the stack effect by pitting a “lid” on your home. This “lid” brings the HVAC unit on the inside of the building envelope and it significantly limits the amount of moisture that is drawn in from your home and penetrations (windows/doors). Ultimately, this change allows your HVAC unit to work more efficiently and control the relative humidity in your home much more effectively.

*Spray foam is applied to the roof deck vs the floor of the attic.

Wall Insulation: You can use traditional fiberglass batts or spray foam when insulating wall spaces. Fiberglass batts have traditionally been a money-saving option, but, due to supply constraints stemming from Covid over the last year, the price of spray foam and fiberglass have become almost equal. Spray foam insulation, which typically costs more than fiberglass options, actually ended up costing less per sq ft during some recent months. Open cell foam is most commonly used in new construction homes, but we do receive inquiries about insulating existing wall cavities with injection foam. We, at Epic Spray Foam, do have the equipment and experience to properly do the service, but do not offer it because offers a solution that is below our standards and rarely offers value to end-users and customers alike..

Crawl Space: A large percentage of the air in your home comes up from the crawl space which can impact the air quality inside of your home due to low-quality air creeping in. Proper encapsulation is a great solution to reduce the relative humidity in your crawl space while also reducing the opportunity for mold to grow. Most crawl spaces here in GA are able to be sprayed with foam insulation but there are some crawl spaces that are too shallow to do so. One of the requirements to install spray foam insulation into an existing crawl space is that there needs to be approx. 3’ distance from the ground to the floor joist because it is a high pressure system. If the ground and floor are too close then the spray foam won’t install properly. Closed cell spray foam is the most appropriate at 1” or greater to act as a moisture and vapor barrier. Kraft-faced fiberglass (with a paper vapor retarder) is also allowed by code, however the fiberglass tends to fall away over time the from the stud cavities or sub floor which then exposes large gaps in insulation coverage. Crawl spaces are typically pretty damp and dirty but animals such as cats, racoons, and mice still love to make their homes in the fiberglass insulation.

Metal Building: Metal buildings (i.e barndominiums) are becoming increasingly popular among customers as cost effective structures to put up and closed cell spray foam is the most appropriate product for such metal building applications. Often times, customers who request estimates discover that the cost to insulate a metal building with spray foam can often times add up to more than they paid for the actual building. However, you’ll still want to make sure that the building is properly insulated by a professional when the it is going to be used for more than simply everyday storage. Insulating with closed cell foam is the best option for metal structures that are being used to house classic cars, offices, or secondary living space. Additionally, closed cell foam is the best option for metal buildings because trying to install fiberglass batts and other mediums simply isn’t possible.

Basements: In daylight basements (i.e. most basements that are constructed today), there’s an OSB (oriented strand board) wood frame wall in addition to a concrete wall. The solid concrete wall will get flashed with approx. 1” of closed cell foam in order to meet the vapor barrier requirements. The wood framed walls can be insulated with either fiberglass batting or spray foam, but spray foam expands into all the crevices which helps prevent bugs creeping in and airflow from creeping out!

What To Expect The Week of Your Spray Foam Installation

You’ve made the decision to have spray foam insulation installed at your property. Your on-site assessment is complete, your quote is signed, and your install job is scheduled. So now what?  First off, congratulations on making this wise investment into your home! You will be so glad you went with the most superior, energy-efficient, and […]

Read More
5 Reasons to Choose Spray Foam Insulation This Winter 

Winter is coming! With cooler days on the horizon, now is the time to prepare your home for the months ahead. Here in Georgia, strong winds, freezing temperatures, ice dams, and even the occasional snow we receive, can take a harsh toll on your property, your wallet, and the safety and comfort of your home.  […]

Read More
What is GREENGUARD Gold Certification?

After a long day, walking into your home should feel like a breath of fresh air. But for many homeowners dealing with poor indoor air quality, that’s simply not the case. In fact, according to recent studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted […]

Read More
What You Need to Know About the 2023 Insulation Tax Credit

Here at Epic Spray Foam, we’ve received a lot of questions about the new Insulation Tax Credit since it went into effect on January 1, 2023. When you combine this incentive with all the other energy-saving, cost-cutting benefits of spray foam insulation, the decision is a no-brainer!  Here’s what you need to know about the […]

Read More
What is the Stack Effect?

During the spring and summer months here in the South, our customer calls about uncomfortably hot room temperatures increase right along with the outside temperatures. It never fails around mid-June each year, the rooms above many property owners’ garages become unbearably warm and stagnant. The second floor of their house continues to rise in temperature no […]

Read More
The Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation In Basements

Transform Your Space From Drafty and Uncomfortable to Warm and Inviting We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be in a residential basement that feels drafty, uncomfortable, and downright creepy! When you add in the dangerous mold, allergens, and pests that can come with these types of dark and damp conditions, it’s not a part […]

Read More
Insulation and Pest Control: How Spray Foam Can Help You Keep Unwanted Critters Out Of Your Home

The sounds are coming from inside the house. As a homeowner, this statement can be your worst nightmare! If rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, insects, birds, snakes, or other unwanted critters have ever infested your property, you know it can be a major nuisance. Not only do they cause expensive damage, but they also threaten your […]

Read More
Is Your House Making You Sick? 

How Spray Foam Insulation Can Help You Keep a Clean and Healthy Home Environment The old saying, “there’s no place like home,” still rings true. We all want the place where we live to be a safe haven for ourselves and our families, and that means keeping our space clean and comfortable. Unfortunately, there are […]

Read More
Should You Spray Foam Over Your Existing Insulation? 

If you’re noticing that your home’s basement is cold and drafty, your attic or upper rooms are uncomfortably hot, or your energy bills are high month after month, you most likely have an insulation problem on your hands! Old, deteriorated, or insufficient insulation can compromise the comfort and safety of your property, and cost you […]

Read More
Should You Trust a Pest Management Company With Your Home Insulation?

For many homeowners, pest management is a key factor in selecting the type of insulation they want to use throughout their property. Especially when it comes to harder-to-reach areas in attics and basements, it’s important to choose an insulation product that will support your efforts to keep unwanted critters, as well as the harmful bacteria […]

Read More
Should You Install Radiant Barrier In Your Attic?

As energy-efficiency measures have grown in popularity in recent years, many of our customers ask us about radiant barrier, and whether it is the best choice for their attic. Whether you’re building a brand new construction, or simply replacing the roof or attic of your existing home, radiant barrier can complement your insulation to regulate […]

Read More
Thermal Bridging: An Expert Guide

Thermal bridging is an essential but often overlooked concept in the construction of buildings. It refers to the process by which heat is transferred between the inside and outside of a building, either through direct contact or through air infiltration. Thermal bridging can have a significant impact on a building's energy efficiency, which can translate […]

Read More
1 2 3

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get in touch with us

Call us at any time for a free consultation or fill out the form and we'll contact you soon!

Phone:
833-362-6489
Mail:
justin@epicsprayfoam.com
Monday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday:
CLOSED
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram