EP46 - Home Insulation with Pop&Sons Insulation, LLC - a podcast by Brian Cook And Kindra Cox

On Episode 46 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed different home insulation products and applications with Daniel of Pop & Sons Insulation, LLC. 

There are different types of insulation.  For example, if you are building a new structure, you have options on what type of material to use. Most commonly, fiberglass is used. The fiberglass insulation comes in two forms: Either a rolled out form or a short fiber material blown through 3 inch hoses. This is a much more modern method compared to the old days when they used newspapers to insulate walls! 

If you are in an existing structure and want to increase your insulation, your options are limited just a bit.  Frequently, a cellulose insulation is used which is actually still a newspaper product, but is treated with boric acid so that it doesn’t burn. This is commonly done in existing structures that didn’t get their walls insulated when the house was built. It’s a fine fiber that can maneuver around wires and boxes, whereas other materials are bulkier and don’t move as easily. The cellulose fiber is applied with a pressure blower, requiring drilled holes, 1 ¼ inches to 1 ½ inches wide, along the top and bottom of your walls. Holes are drilled at the top and bottom of your walls and between each stud. You might be thinking, WOW that’s a lot of holes to patch!  Yes, it is. However, you can do the cellulose application from the exterior of the home if you don't have brick. If you have lapwood or vinyl siding, they can work behind it to help avoid requiring as much repair after the installation. 

The quickest way to save your money and actually get your money back in insulation is to take care of your attic. The attic is where you lose most of your energy. You will know if you need to increase your insulation if you go to your attic and can see your ceiling joists. If you see insulation and are not able to see the joists, then there is at least 4-6 inches Of course, call a professional if you are worried. Fiberglass is used in attics because the product stacks well and doesn’t settle overtime. You don’t use cellulose in attics because it does settle. There is a disclaimer with cellulose products because the R factor does drop as it settles. If you have fiberglass insulation applied, you can go back 5 years later and it’s still 12-14 inches deep like it was when applied. 

The federal government guideline for insulation is an R38, but Daniel recommends an R42 for our region. An R-value is the measurement of the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the number, the better it allows for temperature stabilization. 

There are a lot of varying factors that can play into the efficiency return of getting new insulation applied, but with good windows and a good HVAC unit you will very likely feel the difference of a well insulated home. If you walk into your house and turn the HVAC up/down, it should take 10-15 minutes to feel the difference, not an hour or more. 

Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

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