Lewis Insulation Blog Posts

Frequently Asked Questions about Spray Foam Insulation

Posted by & filed under Spray Foam Insulation.

At Lewis Insulation, we specialize in closed cell spray foam insulation in St Paul and the surrounding areas. We are often asked the same questions about this type of insulation, so we thought we would take some time to address the ones we hear the most often.

Q: Why should I consider spray foam insulation for my home?

A: There are plenty of reasons you should consider spray foam insulation the next time you need to upgrade your home’s insulation. It is a cost-effective way to insulate your home, and you will notice a decrease in your heating and cooling bills. Plus, it is an excellent way to reduce outside noise pollution. It will not allow moisture through either.

Q: What are the differences between closed cell spray foam insulation and open cell spray foam insulation?

A: The biggest differences between closed cell spray foam insulation and open cell spray foam insulation are that closed cell has a higher R-value than open cell. Plus closed cell is virtually impermeable to air, and open cell allows more air and vapor into your home.

Q: Will spray foam insulation help with the structural integrity of my home?

A: Closed cell spray foam insulation is the only type of insulation material that can add structural integrity to your home. The National Association of Home Builders Research Center did some testing and found that spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation increased rack and shear strength two to three times. They compared spray foam insulation between wood and steel stud wall panels with glass fiber insulation with standard stick-built components.

Q: Will spray foam insulation help keep mold from growing in my home?

A: Yes. Among its many other benefits, closed cell spray foam insulation will help with mold growth. Mold needs moisture, a food source and warm temperatures to grow and thrive. Spray foam insulation cannot be eaten by mold because it has no nutritional value, and using this type of insulation will help to eliminate condensation. That means harmful moisture cannot build up in your attic or other crawl spaces. Spray foam insulation also eliminates air movement within the wall cavity itself, so that all means there is less of a chance of mold becoming a problem.

Do you want more information on spray foam insulation in St Paul? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

FAQs about Insulation

Posted by & filed under Insulation Info.

Did you know that May is National Home Remodeling Month? In honor of this yearly event, we thought we would take the time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we get about residential insulation and all of its benefits. And the next time you are tackling this type of home improvement project, give the professionals at Lewis Insulation a call!

Q: I see a lot written about insulation’s R-value. What is that and why is it so important?

A: In basic terms, R-value measures the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value of that insulation is, the greater the insulating power it will have. The R-value is generally determined by the type of insulating material, the thickness and the installed weight per square foot.

Q: What are the benefits of having a properly insulated home?

A: The biggest benefit you will probably see is a decrease in how much money you spend heating your home in the winter and keeping it cool in the summer. But you will also enjoy a few other benefits! The biggest ones are a decrease in the amount of mold and mildew that can sometimes build up in your attic and other crawl spaces, as well as a decrease in the amount of outside noise that you hear in your home.

Q: How do you determine what type of insulation I should have installed?

A: Our insulation contractor will take several different things into account. The R-value of the insulation, how big your home is, the climate and a few other factors are taken into consideration.

Q: Why should I hire insulation contractors to install new insulation? Why can’t I just do it myself or have a general home contractor do it for me?

A: Professional insulation contractors, like the ones at Lewis Insulation, are properly trained and certified in the best and most safe and effective ways to install insulation in your home. We have knowledge of the ins and outs and smaller details of this type of work that general contractors might not have.

We hope you learned a few new things about insulation installation! But if you don’t see your questions here, give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer them.

For more information on our insulation installation services, call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us to schedule your Free Estimate.

The Importance of Insulation in the Summertime

Posted by & filed under Insulation Info.

When some people think of insulation, they assume it’s only important when they need to keep their homes warm in the winter. But insulation also serves plenty of other purposes. It can help reduce the amount of outside noise you hear in your home, and it can also help keep your home cool in the summer. We are insulation contractors in St Paul and the surrounding areas, and we can think of several reasons you should make sure your home’s insulation is in tip-top shape for the upcoming hot summer months.

Summertime does get hot, but as the saying goes: “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” That humidity can get trapped in your attic (because heat rises), and the humidity and heat need somewhere to go once they reach your attic. Otherwise, your entire house, not to mention you and your family, can get uncomfortably hot. So to counteract that heat and humidity, you might end up running your air conditioner much more than you would have otherwise, which could lead to higher cooling bills and a shorter lifespan for this expensive appliance.

Proper insulation and ventilation play a key role in making sure this heat and humidity do not build up in your attic. Ventilation is what helps get rid of the heat and humidity, and it draws them out of your home. Insulation is what helps to keep the heat from the sun from entering your home in the first place. The heat can transfer from your roof and down through the ceilings into the main living areas of your home. Insulation contractors like us can come to your home to install the best kind of insulation that will help keep your home comfortable year-round. We can be sure the insulation we install will help keep your home comfortable no matter what the weather outside is like.

There are a few different factors our insulation contractors will look at when deciding on what kind of insulation is best for your home. We can go over your options with you so you make an informed decision, and that way you can rest easy knowing your home will stay cooler this summer and you might end up seeing some savings on your cooling bill!

So when you need reliable and professional insulation contractors in St Paul and the surrounding areas, call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us to schedule your Free Estimate.

The Advantages of Fiberglass Insulation

Posted by & filed under Fiberglass Insulation.

There are many different reasons fiberglass is such a popular choice in insulation material. Not only is it cost-effective, but the installation process is also usually pretty quick. We specialize in fiberglass insulation in Maple Grove, so here are a few other reasons fiberglass is a great choice.

Budget-Friendly

Fiberglass insulation is a budget-friendly option for many homeowners. You still get many of the same perks as other types of insulation, but fiberglass is one of the least expensive options on the market today.

Easy to Install

You will not have to wait long for fiberglass insulation to be installed. While the installation process can be easy, it is still best to call in the professionals, like the ones at Lewis Insulation, to get it installed. That’s because if someone without a lot of experience installs your fiberglass insulation, it can be installed improperly and you could lose a lot of the benefits of this insulation.

Not Too Flammable

Fiberglass is made out of sand and recycled glass, so that means it does not catch fire that easily. If it is under direct flame, it will melt, not burn. Fiberglass insulation is not a fire hazard.

Increases Energy Efficiency and Reduces Noise

Fiberglass insulation can help increase the energy efficiency of your home. It helps to slow the spread of heat and cold by trapping pockets of air. This helps keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Plus, it helps the amount of outside noise that comes into your home.

Mold and Mildew Resistant

The type of fiberglass insulation we install is mold and mildew resistant. So you will not have to worry that your new fiberglass insulation is retaining moisture and possibly causing more harm than good to you and your family.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s indoor air quality is very important to the health and well-being of you and the rest of your family. Fiberglass insulation can help improve your home’s indoor air quality because it helps reduce mold and mildew growth.

Eco-Friendly

Because fiberglass insulation is made out of renewable resources, like sand and glass, it is an eco-friendly choice for those worried about the impact of their carbon footprint.

Do you want to learn more about fiberglass insulation in Maple Grove? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us to get your Free Estimate on our fiberglass insulation services.

What Type of Attic Insulation is Best?

Posted by & filed under Attic Insulation.

There are several different types of attic insulation out on the market today, and all of them have their benefits. We install attic insulation in Plymouth, and we specialize in three different kinds: closed cell spray foam, fiberglass and cellulose.

Spray Foam Attic Insulation

Closed cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a premium insulation perfectly suited for the building envelope. With a high R-value, it acts as a barrier to keep the indoors from the outside climate, creating thermal, air and moisture isolation.  It can expand and reach hard-to-till voids that other insulation types are not able to do.
Closed cell spray foam is easy to use and fast to install when done correctly. It will not shrink or settle, and it lasts the life of a structure. You should see some long-term savings on your heating and cooling bills with closed cell spray foam insulation in your attic.

Fiberglass and Cellulose Attic Insulation

The two other types of attic insulation we install are fiberglass and cellulose attic insulation. These types of blown-in insulation have almost the same R-value, and they are both environmentally friendly. Cellulose is made out of recycled newspaper and fiberglass is made out of sand, both of which are renewable resources.

These types of insulation are great for filling in gaps and ensuring your entire attic is evenly insulated. The installation process is generally pretty quick, depending on the size of your attic. They are tighter fitting types of attic insulation too, which means they’re good at reducing noise pollution.

Fiberglass and cellulose attic insulation are also very energy efficient, so you should see some savings on your heating and cooling bills in the long run with this type of insulation too.

If you aren’t sure what type of attic insulation is best for your home, give us a call. We can advise you on which type will best suit your needs and keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Are you interested in learning more about attic insulation in Plymouth? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or contact us for a Free Estimate.