Improvements That Can Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Lindus Construction’s COO, Andy Lindus offers advice for maximizing your home’s energy efficiency. From exterior and interior insulation to quality roof replacement.
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Exterior Insulation with House Wrap before Siding Installation
For homeowners considering new siding, Insultex™ House Wrap® provides an exemplary weatherization membrane that provides a protective layer before the siding is installed. The way the technology works, no matter how much you compress this product, the cells do not burst. This allows the material to be R-6, saving homeowners on their energy bills. It would take approximately 1.5 inches of foam siding underlayment to achieve this R-value. However, Insultex™ House Wrap® is 5 mm thick, allowing it to be installed faster.
Spray Foam Insulation and Proper Ventilation
A common complaint townhome owners have is that all too often they can hear the happenings inside their neighbors’ home all too easily. This is because it’s rare that interior walls are insulated. This scenario can be corrected with the installation of spray foam insulation, which has substantial soundproofing properties. It’s worth knowing that spray foam insulation does have temperature restrictions. If being installed in space that’s colder than 40 degrees, additional steps must be taken to properly condition the space prior to application. It’s a good sign that you’re working with a reputable attic insulation contractor if they are using diagnostic tools such as blower doors, borescopes, and smoke sticks in order to determine how to create a more energy efficient home. In some instances, all that’s needed to bring an attic to R-60 is attic air sealing and new insulation. At other times, the preexisting insulation is in such disrepair that it must be removed. After that, it is often best practice to put down 2.5 inches of spray foam insulation and then apply cellulose insulation.
Bonus: If you’re serious about reducing the amount of energy your home uses, it might be time to consider a solar roof installation.
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Roofing Replacement by a Reputable Contractor
Prior to hiring a roofing contractor, it’s imperative that you do your due diligence so that you end up retaining the services of someone that is licensed, insured, and reputable. Exercise extreme caution when encountering door knocking contractors. In many instances they are from several states away, show up after a storm, and are impossible to track down after the work is completed. Even more alarming is that oftentimes, work is not finished correctly if at all. Because of the intricacies of standing seam metal roofing, the contractor that should take on this type of work should be one that completes it correctly on a frequent basis.
For example, a roof with a 2/12 pitch is so low in slope that it often benefits from a standing seam metal roof. However, the slope dictates that a mechanically fastened seam be used in order to prevent water intrusion. One of the major advantages of a metal roof is that it sheds snow in the winter months, dramatically lowering the probability of ice dams. Ice and water shields should be used throughout most of the roof. The fastener system should be completely covered. In most instances, a shingled metal proves to be a poor choice. Their price point is more than standing seam metal roofs, ice dams are prevalent, they are tedious to install, and water infiltration is a very real possibility.
Contact us today to get started on your next insulation and roof installation project.
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement questions addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226.
