Poor home insulation can create conditions for mold and mildew, which are harmful to your health. Air loss and infiltration can lead to higher energy bills, increase your carbon footprint and shorten the life of your heating and cooling system. Your comfort may be compromised, and you may be chronically cold or hot or find the space overly humid or too dry. M&M Insulation in the Minneapolis area can help homeowners and contractors in Minnesota with high-quality, professionally installed insulation products.
WHAT SHOULD I INSULATE?
What you should insulate and when you should insulate depends on a variety of factors. For existing houses, typically, the attic, crawlspaces and unfinished basements are important, with the attic being the priority. Poorly insulated attics can damage the inside of the structure and the roof and shingles. Attics with existing insulation can be ‘topped up’ until the desired R-value is reached.
For new construction and renovations, we install insulation once the electrical and plumbing is in place.
WHAT TYPE OF INSULATION SHOULD I CHOOSE?
The type of insulation you choose will depend on existing structures, insulation types, budget and preference. M&M Insulation believes spray foam insulation is one of the best options for the Minneapolis and Minnesota climate. However, sometimes other products are better suited to a project.
SPRAY FOAM
Spray foam insulation is a liquid foam that expands to fill building cavities, closing all cracks and crevices and leaving no gaps. With an R7 rating for every inch of foam professionally installed, it provides twice the insulation of fiberglass. Highly adhesive, it attaches to everything it touches, improving the building’s overall structural integrity and sound dampening. In addition, it is safe to use around electrical and plumbing, environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free, and naturally moisture and pest resistant.
FIBERGLASS
The traditional ‘pink’ fiberglass is easy to install and can be worked into some gaps and hard-to-reach areas. It is effective against noise, safe around electrical and will usually dry if it becomes damp. However, it requires more material to achieve high R-values and can be prone to gaps. In addition, fiberglass insulation must be covered with a properly sealed vapor barrier.
BLOWN ATTIC INSULATION
Why install insulation in an attic? A significant amount of heat is lost through the roof, which makes the attic an important area to insulate. Attic insulation works like a cap – it traps the heat inside, increasing comfort and efficiency and serving as the first line of defense when protecting against outdoor weather and temperatures.
