If so, it pays to know a thing or two about spray foam insulation before you decide to hire a contractor and take the next step. Luckily, you have Eskimo Insulation on your side. At Eskimo Insulation, not only do we provide insulation installation in Houston and all of southeast Texas, we also want to help our clients stay informed about what they’re buying and why. That’s why we’ve come up with this guide on what you need to know about spray foam insulation.

What exactly is spray foam?

Spray foam is an air barrier and insulation system that can be used to insulate and air seal walls, ceiling cavities, floors and many other spaces against air movement. It is first applied as a liquid, but as it dries, it expands to up to 120 times its original size, allowing it to fill in all areas, even the smallest nooks and crannies. Spray foam is typically made of petroleum, but there are some options made from soy and other agricultural materials.

Why is spray foam superior to fiberglass insulation?

While fiberglass is still the most commonly used kind of insulation, it’s certainly not the most effective.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy,

The most common insulation, fiberglass, does not stop air leakage. In older homes, dirty fiberglass is a telltale sign of air movement (it simply collects dirt like a filter).

If your home’s insulation cannot provide an adequate air seal, then true insulation can’t be achieved. Wet fiberglass is especially problematic, reducing its effectiveness by more than 50 percent. Spray foam, on the other hands, creates a true air seal, providing a much higher level of insulation. Unlike fiberglass, spray foam will not break down over time. However, it is important to note that spray foam can start to disintegrate after prolonged periods of UV exposure.

What’s the difference between open-cell spray foam and closed-cell spray foam?

• Open-cell spray foam – This is the most common type of spray foam insulation, and it excels at absorbing sound. Open-cell spray foam is porous in nature, which means that it isn’t resistant to humidity or water. Open-cell spray foam is often used in areas that require sound attenuation, like interior walls, but it’s also ideal for attic ceilings because it has pores that allow for roof leaks to be spotted inside homes.
• Closed-cell spray foam – Closed-cell spray foam, just like it sounds, is much more dense than open-cell spray foam, making it water resistant. Closed-cell spray foam is ideal in areas where moisture or vapors are a concern, such as in basements, freezers, swimming pools, wine cellars and foundations.

Is spray foam insulation the right option for your home?

Spray foam is ideal for a wide variety of uses and areas, so chances are, spray foam is the ideal choice for insulation in your home in Houston. However, here at Eskimo Insulation, we offer free estimates, and we can help you determine if spray foam insulation is the right option for you.

Contact us today to learn more!

The post What You Need to Know About Spray Foam Insulation appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

If you are sick of paying too much for your energy bills every month, then it may be time to learn a thing or two about heat gain. Although January has just begun, here in Texas, many of us are still relying on our air conditioners to stay comfortable, and if your air conditioner is having to work harder to combat the heat gain in your home, you’re likely paying more for cool air than you should be. However, in order to combat heat gain, you have to know what causes it. Here are a few of the most common causes of heat gain:

#1. Windows

When the sun is streaming in through your windows, it adds warmth to your home. In fact, windows are responsible for approximately 50 percent of the heat gain in the average home. To reduce heat gain from your windows, you could add treatments to the windows or add awnings for shade.

#2. External Walls

The sun can be absorbed by external walls, and if your walls aren’t insulated properly, they can’t block the heat from entering the interior of your home. Sufficient insulation goes a long way in reducing heat gain from external walls, but you can also paint your walls a color that reflects sunlight to reduce heat gain even more effectively.

#3. Air Leaks

Airs leaks make up for approximately 13 percent of heat gain in your average home. Reduce heat gain from air leaks by ensuring that all doorways, windows and any areas where electrical wiring or water pipes enter your home are properly sealed with caulking or weatherstripping. Proper insulation is also essential for sealing air leaks.

#4. Lighting and Appliances

Did you know that if you choose the wrong light bulbs, or you use your oven instead of your microwave, it can cause heat to build up in your home? Indoor sources, like lighting and appliances, account for around 14 percent of heat gain. To reduce heat gain, replace your traditional light bulbs with LEDs or fluorescent lights, and limit cooking your meals in the oven to cooler days.

#5. Attic Ventilation and Insulation

The attic is a definite source of heat gain in any home, but you can prevent heat gain with proper attic insulation and ventilation. Insulation helps to prevent your attic from heating up from the sun beating down on your roof, and ventilation helps the heat that has built up from within your home to escape into the outside air.

Although there are many sources of heat gain in any given home, the vast majority of them can be corrected through adequate insulation. If your home isn’t properly insulated, you could be spending more than you have to on your energy bills every month due to heat gain. Luckily, our spray foam insulation contractors in Houston are here to help.

Are you ready to start saving every month with proper insulation? If so, schedule your free estimate with the experts at Eskimo Insulation today!

The post What Causes Heat Gain appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

It seemed like summer would never end, but fall is here at last! Now that the leaves are starting to change and the temperature is starting to drop, there’s never been a better time of the year to insulate your home. In our last blog, our experts in Houston went over a couple of the reasons why you should insulate your home in the fall. Here are a couple more reasons to insulate before winter comes:

#3. You’ll save money right in time for the holidays.

Believe it or not, the holiday season is almost upon us, which makes it the perfect time of the year to start saving money every month. Insulating your home will help you save energy, which will lead to lower energy bills. That is money you can put towards buying an extra gift for a loved one, going on a trip with your family, treating yourself to a massage or anything you wish!

#4. You’ll help reduce the noise pollution in your home.

The holidays are perfect for spending quality time with your family, not for being kept up all night by your neighbor’s new stereo system. Luckily, spray foam insulation can help to reduce the noise pollution in your home, helping to keep your space peaceful and quiet.

As you can see, there is no better time to insulate your home than the fall. Are you ready to start experiencing the benefits of insulation? Get your free quote today!

The post Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Insulate Your Home Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

There are so many benefits that come with insulating your home in Houston with spray foam insulation. Not only does adding insulation help you save money on your monthly energy bills, it also keeps bugs out of your home and keeps it comfortable. Many people end up skipping insulation because they don’t know when to install it, but Eskimo Insulation is here to help. Check out our last blog to learn about a few circumstances to install insulation, and keep reading to learn more:

#4. You are sick of paying too much for your energy.

If you are paying to cool your home and it’s not properly insulated, your hard-earned money is literally leaking out of your home. One of the most effective ways to lower your energy bills is to install spray foam insulation in your home.

#5. You want to reduce the noise in or around your home.

Whether you want to practice with your band without your neighbors calling the cops or you want to muffle the sound of your noisy neighbors, spray foam insulation can help. Insulation can help to reduce the noise on the inside and outside of your home.

Although we’ve gone over several circumstances when you need to install insulation in your home, there are many more. Is your home due for insulation installation? If so, schedule your appointment with the experts at Eskimo Insulation. We offer competitive rates, superior service and free estimates. Contact us today!

The post When to Insulate Your Home Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

During the summer, there is a notable increase in rodent and insect activity, and if you have fiberglass insulation, some of this activity could even happen in your home! In our last blog, we went over a few of the summer’s worst pests that spray foam insulation can help you keep out of your Houston home. Keep reading to learn about more pests that you can avoid with spray foam insulation:

#4. Cockroaches

Thanks to increased sanitation, cockroaches aren’t the problem that they used to be, but even though they are now easier to prevent, it is never pleasant to find cockroaches in your home. While they won’t harm the structure of your home, they can spread disease, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them. Seal all of the cracks and holes in your home, including the crawlspace and basement, to keep cockroaches out.

#5. Bees

Did you know that some bees will actually burrow into your home? These bees are called carpenter bees, and they basically look like big bumblebees. Carpenter bees nest in wood that is unfinished or bare, and if there are cracks or holes in your home where bees could get in, you could quickly have a problem on your hands.

Although we’ve touched on several pests that spray foam insulation can help to keep out of your home, there are many more. Regardless of whether you want to avoid mosquitoes or cockroaches, spray foam insulation from Eskimo Insulation can help. Contact us today to get started.

The post Keep These Summer Pests Out of Your Home With Insulation Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

Many homeowners expect to pay higher energy bills during the summer months, but if you believe the wrong information when it comes to home cooling, you could be paying more than necessary. In our last blog, we went over a couple of common home cooling myths you need to stop believing. Here are a couple more:

Myth #3. Installing a bigger air conditioner will make your home cooler.

An air conditioner that is too big for your home can be just as inefficient as an air conditioner that is too small. It’s important that your air conditioner is the right size for your home, and if it still isn’t working like it should, it could be a sign that you have inadequate insulation, poor sealing or other issues.

Myth #4. Your home will be more efficient if your close vents in empty rooms.

Guest rooms and other rooms in your home that don’t get used regularly don’t need to be as cool, so it’s easy to think that you’ll save energy by closing those vents. Modern air conditioners are designed to efficiently cool your entire home, not just certain rooms, and closing vents can cause unnecessary wear to your system.

Although it’s normal to see a higher energy bill during the summer, believing these myths could lead to an even higher bill. Take the first step to enjoying a cooler, more comfortable home by turning to Eskimo Insulation for spray foam insulation in Houston. Contact us today to get started.

The post Common Home Cooling Myths Debunked Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

New insulation is not just for new homes. In fact, many existing homes could also benefit from spray foam insulation in Houston. In our last blog, we went over a few common signs that indicate the need for new insulation in an existing home, so if you haven’t already, check it out. Today, we will be finishing up this blog series with these last signs that your home needs new insulation:

#4. You’ve noticed a spike in your energy bill.

Most people think that a higher energy bill is a sign that their HVAC system needs to be replaced, but this issue could also be the result of shoddy insulation. If your home isn’t insulated properly, your air conditioner will have to work much harder in order to keep your home cool and comfortable. By installing new insulation in your home, you could enjoy savings every month on your utility bills.

#5. There are small animals in your home.

Small animals, like squirrels, mice, bats and snakes, have been known to make themselves at home in our attics and crawl spaces. Not only can these creatures damage your insulation, they can also leave it infested with feces and grime, and some of them even hide their babies in insulation. If this is the case in your home, you will need to remove these animals and replace the insulation.

Regardless of whether your insulation wasn’t properly installed or it has become defective, Eskimo Insulation can help. Contact us today to get started.

The post Does Your Home Need New Insulation? Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

Summer is an incredible time of the year. There’s baseball, swimming and ice cream to look forward to, but the heat can really put a damper on your summer, especially if you have trouble keeping your home cool. In our last blog, we talked about how installing spray foam insulation in your attic, air sealing your home and planting big trees can help to keep your home cool. Keep reading for more tips to help you keep your home cool this summer:

#4. Close your shades. 

Did you know that approximately 30 percent of the unwanted heat in your home comes from the windows? By simply closing your curtains, shades or blinds, you could lower the temperature in your home by as much as 20 degrees!

#5. Make sure your fans spin counter-clockwise.

Many people don’t realize that the direction a ceilings fan rotates actually makes a big difference in the temperature. When your fan rotates counter-clockwise on a high speed, it actually helps to create an effect that is reminiscent of a wind-chill breeze.

#6. Trade in your incandescent bulbs. 

Believe it or not, approximately 90 percent of the energy that is expended by incandescent bulbs is actually heat! By switching to either LEDs or CFLs, you’ll not only be saving yourself from that heat, you’ll also be saving energy!

The first step to keeping your home cool this summer is to make sure that it is properly insulated with spray foam insulation. If your home needs insulation, please contact us at Eskimo Insulation today!

The post How to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

Fiberglass has been incredibly popular for a long time, but with spray foam insulation, you no longer have to rely on fiberglass to insulate your home. While it’s true that fiberglass is cheap and easy to install, it also has many disadvantages. Learn about a couple of the downsides of fiberglass when you read our previous blog. The following is a list of a few more of the downsides of fiberglass that can be avoided with spray foam insulation:

#3. Fiberglass is vulnerable to moisture. 

Fiberglass can easily retain water from roof leaks or a build up of condensation in your attic. When fiberglass gets wet, it loses all of its R-value, as well as the majority of its properties that give it the ability to insulate.

#4. Fiberglass comes with a high risk of mold growth. 

Because of its vulnerability to moisture, fiberglass is also incredibly vulnerable to mold. When fiberglass starts retaining water, it usually leads to the growth of mold. Some people are prone to allergic reactions from the presence of mold, and it can reduce the indoor air quality in your home.

#5. Fiberglass can be dangerous to work with. 

Since fiberglass is easy to install, many homeowners decide to do it themselves. Without the proper safety equipment, this can lead to eye and skin irritations, as well as breathing problems.

When it comes to insulation, you get what you pay for. Don’t settle on fiberglass just because it’s cheap. Instead, find a reliable, effective insulation solution by choosing spray foam insulation for your Houston home.

The post Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Fiberglass Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.

If you want to save money on your monthly utility bills, you need to learn how to make your home more efficient. Getting spray foam insulation installed in your Houston home is a wonderful way to improve its efficiency, and in our last blog, we went over several more tips for increased efficiency.

#4. Insulate your pipes and water heater. 

By covering your water heater with an insulated water heater blanket, you can help it to retain heat more effectively, which will make it lose less energy when you use the hot water. You can also install rubber or foam pipe insulation to prevent your cold pipes from sweating when it is hot out.

#5. Keep your air ducts clean. 

If your air ducts are dirty, it reduces the flow of air in your home, plus it adds stress on your furnace. Luckily, cleaning your air ducts is incredibly easy, and it can keep your home running efficiently.

#6. Plant trees for increased shade.

The more shade there is around your home, the cooler it will be. Trees are not only a beautiful addition to your landscape, they can also increase the amount of shade around your home if planted on the west and southwest sides.

There are so many great ways to improve your home’s efficiency, but one of the best things that you can do is install spray foam insulation. Contact us today to get started!

The post Tips for a More Efficient Home Part 2 appeared first on Eskimo Insulation.