Chicago Insulation FAQs
Our team at Perma-Seal knows that choosing to insulate your home can be tough. Whether you are looking to improve energy efficiency, enhance home comfort, or eliminate cold floors, having the right information is important. Our team has compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions so you can get a head start on your insulation project. If you have additional questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Perma-Seal.
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Attic insulation helps to maintain a consistent temperature in your home by reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Proper insulation can significantly lower your energy bills and improve indoor comfort.
Blown-in insulation is a type of insulation involves blowing loose fill insulation, usually fiberglass or cellulose, into the attic space. This method ensures that the insulation fills all gaps and covers hard-to-reach areas, providing a uniform layer of thermal protection.
Air sealing involves closing gaps and cracks where air can leak into or out of your home. When combined with attic insulation, air sealing prevents drafts, enhances energy efficiency, and improves indoor comfort.
Spray foam insulation expands to fill gaps and cracks, providing an airtight seal. It is particularly effective for rim joists in basements and crawl spaces, where it helps prevent air leaks, moisture infiltration, and pests.
Building codes vary, but generally, the recommended R-value for attic insulation in the Chicagoland area is R-49. This ensures adequate thermal resistance to reduce energy consumption and maintain indoor comfort.
Old insulation is removed using specialized equipment to vacuum the material out of your attic. This step is necessary to address any accumulated dust, mold, compaction, or pests and to ensure the new insulation can be installed effectively
A blower door test measures the airtightness of your home by using a powerful fan to depressurize the house. This test helps identify leaks and areas where air sealing is needed, ensuring a more efficient insulation process.
Regular maintenance improves efficiency, extends the lifespan of your unit, and prevents costly breakdowns.
In some cases, new insulation can be installed over existing insulation if the old material is in good condition and not compressed. However, due to the uncertainty of the effectiveness of the old insulation, our team at Perma-Seal will not install new insulation over old insulation.
Signs include uneven temperatures in your home, higher energy bills, moisture issues, and the presence of pests or mold in the attic.
Proper ventilation helps regulate temperature and moisture levels in the attic, which can affect the performance and longevity of insulation. It prevents issues like mold growth and ice dams, ensuring a healthier attic environment.
The R-value measures the thermal resistance of insulation material. Higher R-values indicate better insulating properties, which are essential for maintaining energy efficiency and comfort in your home.
Air leaks can allow outdoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture to enter your home, which can negatively impact indoor air quality and lead to health issues such as allergies and respiratory problems.
Common materials for blown-in insulation include fiberglass and cellulose. Both materials are effective, but cellulose offers better soundproofing and is made from recycled paper products. Our team at Perma-Seal uses cellulose insulation for attics.
Upgrading attic insulation improves energy efficiency, reduces utility bills, enhances indoor comfort, and can increase the overall value of your home.
Yes, proper insulation and air sealing can help prevent pests from entering your home by closing off entry points in the attic and around the rim joists
Insulation helps control moisture by maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, which reduces condensation. Air sealing further prevents moisture from entering the home, protecting against mold and structural damage.
While some homeowners may choose to install insulation themselves, professional installation ensures that the job is done correctly and safely, maximizing the effectiveness of the insulation and air sealing.
Proper insulation reduces the workload on your HVAC system by maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, which can extend the lifespan of the system and reduce maintenance costs.
Air sealing and insulation reduce energy consumption, which lowers your carbon footprint. Using eco-friendly insulation materials like cellulose also contributes to environmental sustainability.