Why Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation insulates and seals air leaks in one application creating a thermal barrier and sealing penetration points.

Sprayfoam Insulation

Spray foam is a product consisting of two materials that react when mixed together and expand after being sprayed in place. This expansion completely fills a cavity to prevent air leaks and keep energy costs down.

An additional benefit of spray foam is that it blocks heat transfer from inside to outside during cold winter months and vice versa in hot summer months.

Two Types of Spray Foam

Open cell spray foam consists of cells that are left open making it a more flexible material. It expands during installation and fills cracks, crevices and other hard-to-reach areas. The R-value of open cell spray foam is commonly around 3.7 per inch. It also functions as an air barrier because it adheres to uneven surfaces and blocks air leakage. Open cell spray foam is often used for interior walls because it is also a sound dampener when applied between studs.

Closed cell spray foam is made up of cells that are completely closed. It is a more dense and rigid insulating material with an R-value that is higher than open cell spray foam. Because of the rigidity of closed cell spray foam, it acts as a vapor barrier and adds structural stability during strong winds and storms.

Why does it matter?

When the air leaks that exist around the building envelope are sealed, conditioned air remains inside your home. This means your HVAC system is working less resulting in energy cost savings.

Spray foam insulation insulates and seals air leaks in one application creating a thermal barrier and sealing penetration points.

Contact us to learn more about spray foam insulation and why it may be the right choice for your project.

Why You Should Choose the Blown-In Wall System

For years, fiberglass batt insulation was the only way to insulate walls. Today’s construction technology has many other options!

Installing Blown In Wall System from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

When it comes to insulating walls, most people think of fiberglass batt insulation. For years, fiberglass batt insulation was the only way to insulate walls. Today’s construction technology has many other options! One cost-effective and energy-efficient option is the blown in wall system.

The blown in wall system provides a high-efficiency energy blanket of insulation at a fraction of the cost of spray foam insulation. This system is installed in open cavities during the construction or remodeling process, and can be used in residential or commercial buildings. The blown in wall system gives homes a seamless, thermally efficient blanket of insulation that completely fills any void in the wall cavity.

Here’s how it works:

  • Fabric mesh is installed across the open wall cavity. It is tacked to each stud in the wall assembly.
  • Loose-fill fiberglass insulation is blown behind the fabric mesh. It is installed at a density that fills all voids in the wall cavity.
  • The penetrations in the mesh are sealed to hold the product in place.

There are many benefits to installing the blown in wall system in your next project. The blown in wall system offers:

  • Higher r-values than traditional fiberglass batt insulation, saving on heating and cooling expenses.
  • Reduced air infiltration. National laboratory tests have shown a 68% reduction in air infiltration when installing a blown in wall system over fiberglass batt insulation.
    • TAKE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ONE STEP FURTHER! Air seal each wall cavity prior to installing a blown in wall system to further increase efficiency!
  • Excellent sound control. Because loose fill fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavity, noise transfer is reduced.
  • Does not settle. Because the insulation is dense packed, there’s no chance of it setting and affecting r-value.

Interested in learning more about the blown in wall system? Contact us with questions or to 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.

OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Space Guidelines

As a partner in your success, we want to share the latest Confined Spaces Guidelines from OSHA.

Danger Confined Space

As a partner in your success, we want to share the latest Confined Spaces Guidelines from OSHA. You can find the complete publication here.

Residential and commercial builders, remodeling contractors, home inspectors, sales representatives, and estimating contractors are all effected by these new guidelines so be sure to share this with your entire team.

First Things First, What Is a Confined Space?

A confined space is a space that…

  • Is large enough for a person to enter and work
  • Has limited or restricted means of entry and exit
  • Is not designed for continuous occupancy

OSHA defines a permit-required confined space as a space that has at least one of the following characteristics:

  • Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
  • Contains a material that has the potential to engulf an entrant
  • Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated
  • Contains any other recognized serious safety and health hazard

Hazards associated with confined spaces include:

  • Slips, Trips, & Falls
  • Electrical equipment and wiring
  • Flammable materials or chemicals
  • Health hazards (i.e. Dust, Mold, Rodents)
  • Mechanical equipment
  • Hot surfaces
  • Combustible materials
  • Utility Lines (i.e. Gas)
  • Structural Collapse
  • Additional Concerns
  • Noise
    • Amplified due to acoustics of the space
    • Damages hearing and affects communication
  • Slippery or wet surfaces
    • Increased risk of falls and electrical shock
  • Personal protective equipment
    • More common PPE such as hard hat, hard-toed boots, safety glasses, face shield, gloves, and overalls must be worn when needed

If a hazardous atmosphere is detected while a worker is in the confined space:

  • All activities should stop
  • The worker(s) should exit immediately
  • The hazard should be evaluated
  • Protective measures should be taken

Always remember:

  • Test the atmosphere prior to entry and periodically
  • Never enter a confined space if the atmospheric conditions are not suitable
  • Ensure an attendant is outside the confined space at all times
  • Follow your company’s confined space permit

Prevent delays and keep your job site safe by:

  • Identifying Confined Spaces in advance
  • Identifying all hazards in the space
  • Controlling all hazards in the space
  • Educating and training employees
  • Avoiding creating permit required spaces
  • Staying current as the rules change
  • Staying on top of your program
  • Communicating with GC and Subs

Trust DeVere Insulation to uphold the highest standards of safety to keep your job site safe. Contact us today!