Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Air Barrier – Dusty Arizona

Wild West Old Saloon

Old time wild west movies are often portrayed in our beautiful desert state. Tumbleweeds and cacti usually set the scene for a cowboy to walk into a dusty old saloon.  Although a John Wayne film would not be complete without the saloon, I would suggest the dust plays an almost equal role in telling the story. In fact, Arizona can still provide that dusty old time feel.  Unfortunately, we do not always want our homes looking or feeling like a wild west movie.  We would prefer a clean house where we can watch a movie with a dust-filled saloon.

Most home owners do not consider dust when they or buying or designing a house, but we do.  Although it may sound weird that an insulation company is cognizant of making your house cleaner it is one thing we enjoy about our job. Saving money and the planet with energy efficient improvements are a main reason we love spray foam insulation, but it also makes your house cleaner and safer. 

Arizona Home - Upgrade Insulation

Unlike traditional insulation like cellulose or fiberglass, spray foam creates an air barrier in addition to a thermal barrier. This is important because spray foam insulation prevents the transfer of heat through the materials of your walls and ceiling and through the gaps between materials where air can penetrate your home.  Think of it like this, if you were to wear a light sweatshirt on a very windy day, you would likely be chilled to the bone. Similarly, if you were to just wear a windbreaker in below freezing temperatures, you too would be freezing.  But if you were to wear a snow jacket that combines the warmth of a sweatshirt and the wind resistance of a windbreaker you would stay much warmer.

Spray foam is the best insulation value, and not just because it controls the transfer of heat.  It can also stop dust from getting into your house as easily.  Spray foam insulation stops air movement through any surface where it is applied, so the only vulnerability is open windows and doors.  Keeping out the dust is not only cleaner, but it also prevents allergens and other air pollutants from creeping into your house.  Your home is also protected against pest problems because of the tight envelope that spray foam provides.

In conclusion, spray foam insulation is the new sheriff in town, serving and protecting the good people of Arizona. If you have a dust problem and need a gun slinging hero to save you from the desert’s antics, give us a call.  We would love the opportunity to earn your business.



Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Don't DIY (Don't Do Insulation Yourself)


In today’s culture of DIY everything, it appears no task is too big or too complicated. There are endless how to videos and guides online that will walk you step by step through any project you may want to tackle.  And in the defense of the world-wide web, many of the projects can in fact be done by you and your family on a Sunday afternoon. We just don’t think installing insulation is one of the projects you can complete effectively without some expertise. 


Regardless of what type of insulation you use for your home, proper installation is key to effectively controlling the temperature of your home (higher R-value) as well as ensuring the best efficiency (lower energy bills).  An R-value is the measure of an insulation’s ability to resist heat flow, which means the higher the R-value the better.  That is not the only factor to consider, because the R-value of insulation quickly diminishes when there are holes and gaps from installation. Just a 5% error in application can reduce your R-value by more than double.  And with more error, the negative effect is exponentially worse.

So, when evaluating the cost vs. value relationship of installing insulation on your own, you might want to consider hiring a pro who can ensure proper installation.  With that being said, there are some insulating materials that can be installed in your free time.  Thick floor length curtains can accentuate any room and provide extra protection from the outside temperature by preventing heat movement through windows.

I am not telling you stop being the best DIY family on the block, but I am simply advising you to pick your battles.  Go repaint your living room, or redo your bathroom, but maybe let a professional fix your HVAC system and install new insulation.



Here is a home where we recently improved the comfort and energy efficiency. If you would like more information on insulation for your home, check us out or give us a call! We would love the opportunity to earn your business.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Why Spray Foam Insulation?

Many home owners and home builders often ask if spray foam is worth the cost. They also question if spray foam is safe. Although there are many considerations when choosing insulation, spray foam should be at the top of the list. Would you like to learn why? Good, we are offering a FREE Lunch and Learn at the end of February. Check out the details here.


Lunch and Learn Details

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Insulation: Can you have too much?

The summer heat of Arizona takes its toll on even the toughest of valley natives.  That’s why it is important to ensure your home is a desert oasis instead of a hotbox.  So how do you create a comfortable and cool retreat in your house? Many people will suggest an upgraded AC or installing new insulation will help.  Although these people are right, there are a few factors you should take into consideration, starting with finding a licensed and trustworthy contractor. Since we are not an HVAC contractor we will share some insulation factors you should consider before the summer heat.


Insulation can conserve energy and save you money on your heating/cooling bill because, it creates a thermal barrier between your home and the outdoors.  This may sound expensive, but upgrading your current insulation should not break your bank.  In most Arizona houses, the insulation level is below the industry standard of R-38, which means heat can transfer from your hot attic to your cooled house.  Now some contractors will try to tell you that you should insulate well above the industry level because it translates to a thicker thermal barrier.  The only issue with that thought process is the cost vs. savings relationship because it does not always come out in your favor.

An insulation value of R-44 is reaching the balance of energy efficiency and wasting money.  Anything over an R-44 in the greater Phoenix area is unlikely to produce a substantial savings in comparison to how much it costs to install it. Technically speaking the more insulation, the larger the barrier, but it definitely crosses the line of practical home improvements.


Although it is important to know how much insulation you should have installed, it is just as important to have it installed properly.  If it is not installed properly even in just 5% of the attic, the consequences can be exponentially worse than 5% loss in R-Value.  This means your thermal barrier is not intact and you would have wasted time and money.  In conclusion, it is important to hire a trustworthy contractor to ensure proper installation, as well as providing enough information to help you make an educated decision

Call us today with any of your insulation questions, we would love the opportunity to earn your business!