Beat the Heat: The Power of Proper Attic Insulation

July 13, 2023

The scorching heat of July is upon us. As we turn to air conditioning units to keep us cool, it's easy to forget about a crucial player in maintaining our home's comfort – attic insulation. 

Without proper insulation, your attic can turn into a furnace, allowing heat to seep into your home and causing your AC to work overtime. The result? Sky-high energy bills and a living environment that's still less comfortable than you'd like.

A one-time investment in attic insulation can change all that. At Tredegar Construction, we offer top-notch insulation solutions. We can provide options that include:

Old insulation removal

Fiberglass blown-in insulation

Cellulose blown-in insulation

Spray foam insulation

Fiberglass Blown-In Insulation

A popular choice for homeowners seeking to enhance their attic insulation is fiberglass blown-in insulation. Made from tiny glass fibers, this type of insulation is known for its versatility and effectiveness in preventing heat transfer.

One of the key advantages of fiberglass insulation is its fire resistance. Unlike some other materials, fiberglass is non-combustible and does not need additional fire-retardant chemical treatments. This can add an extra layer of safety to your home.

Blown-in fiberglass insulation can be installed quickly and seamlessly fills your attic, covering even hard-to-reach areas. This ensures a uniform layer of insulation that effectively slows heat and cold from infiltrating your living spaces. It also has the added benefit of reducing noise transmission, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful home. 

Fiberglass insulation is also durable and does not settle over time. This means it maintains its insulating power for many years,providing long-term energy savings. By reducing heat transfer, it helps to maintain a consistent indoor temperature, lowering the strain on your heating and cooling systems and thus decreasing your energy bills.

If you're considering upgrading your attic insulation,fiberglass blown-in insulation is an excellent option to consider. At Tredegar Construction, we can guide you through the different insulation options and help you choose the best one for your home. 

Blown Cellulose Insulation

Made from recycled newsprint and treated with fire retardants, blown cellulose insulation is an eco-friendly option. It's excellent at filling nooks and crannies in your attic, providing comprehensive coverage and effective heat resistance.

Blown cellulose insulation is a popular choice among homeowners for its outstanding insulating properties and eco-friendliness. As mentioned earlier, this type of insulation is predominantly made from recycled newsprint, making it a green choice. But what else should you know about it?

One of the key benefits of blown cellulose and blown fiberglass insulation is how it's installed. During installation, loose-fill cellulose is blown into the attic using specialized equipment. This allows it to reach and cover a wide area, including corners, nooks, crannies, and around obstacles such as wiring or ductwork that may be present in your attic. 

In addition, cellulose insulation is treated with fire retardant chemicals, making it highly resistant to fire. This gives your home an added layer of protection against potential fire hazards.

Besides offering thermal insulation, blown cellulose insulation also provides sound insulation. It helps to dampen noise from outside and between different rooms and floors of the house, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful living environment.

An often-overlooked advantage of blown cellulose insulation is its ability to manage moisture. It can help to regulate humidity within your attic, contributing to a healthier indoor environment and helping to prevent problems such as mold growth. 

Remember, while blown cellulose insulation can be a DIY project, professional installation ensures it is done correctly, safely, and with the best results. At Tredegar Construction, our experienced team can handle the installation for you, providing you with an efficient, hassle-free experience and the peace of mind that your insulation is properly installed.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation expands upon application, sealing even the smallest gaps. Its high R-value – an indicator of thermal resistance –ensures excellent insulating properties, making it a popular choice among homeowners. 

There are two main types of spray foam insulation: open-cell and closed-cell. Open-cell foam is lighter and less expensive, but it's also less dense and provides less insulating power (lower R-value). Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, is denser, offers a higher R-value, and provides an effective moisture barrier. Spray foam insulation expands upon application,filling even the smallest gaps and cracks. This comprehensive coverage is what makes it an excellent air sealant, stopping drafts from windows, doors, and other leaky areas.

Spray foam insulation has a high R-value, making it a top performer in preventing heat transfer. This insulation efficiency can significantly reduce the workload on your HVAC system, leading to energy savings. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation.

One advantage of closed-cell spray foam is its effectiveness as a moisture barrier. By preventing moisture from entering your home, it can help prevent mold and mildew growth, promoting a healthier indoor environment.

Spray foam insulation is known for its durability. It doesn't sag or settle over time, meaning it maintains its insulating properties for many years. Like blown cellulose, spray foam insulation can provide excellent soundproofing qualities. It can help reduce the transmission of noise from the outside and between different rooms and floors inside your home.

While spray foam insulation can be more expensive upfront than other types of insulation, its energy-saving properties and long lifespan often result in cost savings in the long run.

As with any insulation project, professional installation ensures it is done safely and correctly. At Tredegar Construction, our experienced team can guide you in choosing the right type of insulation for your needs and ensure it is properly installed for maximum efficiency and comfort.

Beyond the obvious benefit of a cooler home, these insulation options offer the added advantage of lower energy bills. By preventing heat transfer, they help maintain a consistent indoor temperature,reducing the need for your AC to constantly run and thus saving you money inthe long run.

Furthermore, insulation can protect your home’s structural integrity by preventing moisture buildup, which can lead to mold growth and structural damage over time.

Ready to take control of your home's comfort and energy consumption this July? Contact us at Tredegar Construction. We’re here to help you make an informed choice and provide professional installation, ensuring your attic insulation is up to the task of beating the heat.

Our service areas: Tredegar Construction provides Tredegar Construction installs asphalt shingle roofing, TPO membrane roofing, and silicone roof coating, siding, crawl space solutions, spray foam, window and gutter replacement services in the Richmond, Virginia metro area and surrounding counties of Ashland, Charles City County, Chester, Chesterfield County, City of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Hopewell, King William County, New Kent County, Petersburg, Powhatan County and more! We also serve Midlothian, Short Pump, Petersburg, Bon Air, Mechanicsville, Manchester, Tuckahoe, Near West End, Manakin Sabot, Varina, Powhatan, Oilville, Ashland, Colonial Heights, Fort Lee, Museum District, Church Hill, Fan District, Bon Air, Forest Hill, Bellevue, Northside, Ginter Park, Moseley, Glen Allen, Atlee, Laurel, Rockville, Doswell, and more. Don't see your area listed? Reach out! We may serve you!

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