Category: fiberglass insulation

Three Fiberglass Applications You Don’t Know About

There are many ways fiberglass insulation can be installed today that makes this legacy insulator more effective than ever before…

Fiberglass Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

When most people think of insulation, the first thing that comes to mind is fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is the most widely used type of insulation, used to insulate attics, walls, and more in new construction and existing homes. There are many ways fiberglass insulation can be installed today that makes this legacy insulator more effective than ever before and may give you a new perspective on this product:

  • Fiberglass with Air Sealing – While fiberglass is a cost-effective insulator, its woven fibers do not inherently prevent air from escaping through penetration points throughout a structure. Combining fiberglass insulation with air sealing prevents air infiltration and loss of conditioned inside air. ENERGY STAR states sealing air leaks and insulating can save a homeowner on their energy bills.
  • Blown-in Wall System – In new home construction, many contractors choose to install fiberglass batt insulation in wall cavities. The blown-in wall system takes wall insulation a step further. With this system, loose-fill fiberglass insulation is densely packed into the wall cavity behind a layer of plastic. This fully fills the wall cavity and reduces air gaps that naturally occur around batts. Many contractors take this system one step further by air sealing the wall cavity before installing insulation to increase energy efficiency even more.
  • Flash and Batt – The flash and batt system combine the best fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation in one application. A flash and batt system (also known as a hybrid system) combines spray foam’s air sealing properties and the insulating benefits of fiberglass at a lower price point than installing full spray foam. During installation, one inch of closed-cell spray foam insulation is applied. Once in place, a fiberglass batt is placed over the top of the foam. This is a great option to achieve high performance at a budget-friendly price.

Fiberglass insulation provides many cost-effective insulation options for today’s builders and homeowners. Contact our office to learn more about these options and schedule a free estimate.

The “V” Factor

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding.

What You Need to Know About Ventilation in New Construction

Ceiling Air Vent

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding (sometimes referred to as the “V” Factor). With the increase in green building and the tighter building envelopes that result, a new problem has emerged for builders. New buildings that are increasingly airtight can have poor indoor air quality.

Why the increase in air quality problems?

Older homes weren’t built as tightly as today’s standards and were ventilated by the wind or natural air leakage. Let’s not forget that some older homes had no insulation or insulation made of natural materials. These older products did not include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), flame retardants or other additives commonly found in building products today, so ventilation wasn’t as much of an issue.

Today roughly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. The idea of an “airtight” house — which might be energy efficient — may not provide proper ventilation ensure their health.

Today’s tight building envelopes require controlled mechanical ventilation to maintain optimal air quality. And it’s a part of energy efficiency that can be overlooked.

Which type of ventilation is best? There are a number of factors that ultimately influence which system is most appropriate. These include code requirements, the size of the building, combustion appliance type, and budget. Four common ventilation system options are especially suited to energy efficient homebuilding:

  • Exhaust Only — This common method uses a small exhaust fan placed in a kitchen or bathroom, which runs continuously or intermittently to exhaust stale air and moisture. These systems are inexpensive and easy to install.
  • Supply Only — In supply only ventilation systems, a fan brings in fresh air and stale air escapes through cracks and air-leakage sites in the home. These systems can include a filter to trap pollen and dust or a dehumidifier to control indoor humidity levels.
  • Balanced — A balanced system provides a much better ventilation solution because it includes separate fans that drive both inlet and exhaust air flow, which allows control of where the fresh air comes from and where it is delivered. Typical systems are designed to ventilate living rooms and bedrooms where people spend most of their time.
  • Balanced with Heat Recovery — These systems co-locate the usually separate fresh air and exhaust fans and an air-to-air heat exchanger so that the outgoing house air will precondition the incoming outdoor air. This system is ideal for colder climates.

Have questions about the proper ventilation system for your home or commercial building? Contact us today.