Lewis Insulation Blog Posts

Old Insulation: To Remove or Not to Remove

Posted by & filed under Insulation Info.

Your home’s insulation is the first line of defense against extreme temperatures, so it’s important to make sure that it’s performing as best as it can. If your insulation isn’t up to the task, what do you do with your old insulation?

Lewis Insulation takes care of all of your insulation needs in the Twin Cities area; from removal to installation, we do it all.

Now, to answer your question about when to remove or keep your old insulation, here are some instances when it’s best to remove, and some when it’s best to keep, your old insulation.

Twin Cities Insulation

When to Remove Old Insulation

Whether you are renovating an entire house or just fixing up a single room, here are some scenarios where you should definitely remove your old insulation before adding new:

  • You’re replacing your insulation with spray foam. One of the biggest selling points of spray foam is that it expands to create an air-tight seal, but if there’s remaining insulation in the way the spray foam can’t do its job.
  • You’ve had rodents or other pests. Loose-fill insulation and fiberglass batts are both pretty cozy hideouts for rodents and other pests. If you’ve had any critter issues, it’s best to remove your old insulation so you can ensure there aren’t any droppings left behind, permeating your insulation.
  • You’ve had water damage. If there are any signs of moisture in your old insulation, it’s important to remove it completely before adding new insulation. It’s equally as important to find the source of the moisture to ensure that you are protecting yourself against potential future damage. Wet insulation can promote the growth of mold and mildew, so you need to make sure that any waterlogged insulation is removed before proceeding.
  • You’ve had fire or smoke damage. If you have had a fire, chances are your insulation will need to be replaced, whether it has directly experienced fire damage. As insulation can absorb the smell of smoke, it’s best to replace all insulation after a fire to remove the smoke odor from your home.

When to Keep Old Insulation

While there are times to remove the old insulation first, there are also some instances where you can keep your old insulation and just add new to it!

  • You’re adding loose-fill insulation. Since there are no potentially harmful chemical interactions between mixing loose-fill insulation and other types of insulation, it’s completely safe to add loose-fill to your existing insulation. As long as your old insulation is in good shape, adding more loose-fill is a great course of action to increase your home’s insulation effectiveness.
  • You’re adding batt or rolled insulation. Just as it was for loose-fill insulation, batt or rolled insulation can be added to existing insulation so long as it’s in good condition. There are no potentially harmful chemical interactions to be had, so unless there’s another underlying reason, there’s no need to remove your old insulation.

So now you know – when it’s time for you to reinsulate your home whether you need to remove your old insulation depends on the scenario. If you have any questions or still aren’t sure whether you need to remove your old insulation in your Twin Cities home, call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or Contact Us!

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About…Different Types of Insulation

Posted by & filed under Residential Insulation.

While most people know there are several different types of insulation, not many are familiar with their many differences. Fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam: which one will you choose for your home? As the trusted name in home insulation for Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, we would like to compare and contrast the different options in insulation to help you choose the right one for your unique home.

home insulation Minneapolis

Fiberglass

Of the three most popular types of insulation, fiberglass has been around the longest and is more commonly used. Fiberglass is man made and can be installed in both new and existing homes, garages, attics and more. It is non-combustible, non-corrosive & non absorbent. If exposed to moisture, fiberglass will not hold water.

Fiberglass insulation isn’t the pink stuff of the past. Fiberglass insulation from Lewis Insulation is high-quality JM fiberglass insulation. When you have us upgrade your home’s insulation with JM fiberglass insulation, you can expect year-round comfort. Whether it be your attic, walls, floors or ceilings, you can be assured that you will use less energy to heat & cool your home.

Spray Foam 

Closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation is one of the most advanced insulating materials available on the market today. We use state-of-the-art equipment and have completed certified training and continued education on spraying polyurethane spray foam.

Closed cell spray foam offers the highest R-value over all other insulation materials. JM Corbond III offers a true R-7 per inch.

Cellulose 

Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass, and being made of paper, does not pose any health issues to the installer or home occupants.

Cellulose insulation is also chemically treated to resist fire, insects and mold. It has a better resistance to air flow and prevents the upward movement of air caused by temperature differences. The R-value of cellulose insulation actually improves during cold weather.

We install blown-in cellulose insulation in both new and existing attics and walls, as well as garages, pole buildings, etc. Cellulose insulation is manufactured from recycled newspaper. It is non-toxic, and will not rot, decay or contribute to mold growth. Cellulose insulation is considered “green” as it is made from recycled newspaper and requires less energy to manufacture.

As you can see, each of these types of insulation offers improved efficiency and come with their own unique set of benefits. Which one will you choose? To learn more about home insulation in Minneapolis, give us a call at 763-477-2612 or contact us. We serve the entire Twin Cities metro.

Getting the Facts About Fiberglass Insulation

Posted by & filed under Fiberglass Insulation.

Everyone has heard of fiberglass insulation but not many really know a lot about it. In fact, there are many misconceptions about this popular form of insulation. And, as the trusted name installing fiberglass insulation for Wayzata and the surrounding areas, we would like to set the record straight. 

fiberglass Insulation Wayzata

What is fiberglass insulation? Fiberglass insulation is a type of residential or commercial insulation that’s composed of sand and recycled glass. It is a man-made material and has a high surface area-to-weight ratio that makes it an ideal insulator for residential and commercial buildings. 

Does it itch? Have you ever heard you shouldn’t touch fiberglass insulation because it can make you itch? Nowadays, fiberglass insulation does not irritate the skin like it used to, and manufacturing it is more environmentally friendly than it used to be. 

Where can it be installed? Fiberglass insulation can be installed just about anywhere in your house or commercial property other than in the basement. For your basement, you should consider closed cell spray foam insulation instead, which we can also install.

Does it offer soundproofing? Fiberglass is a great sound barrier and over time settles only slightly (2%-4%) compared to cellulose. All JM fiberglass insulation is specifically designed to absorb noise that can be transmitted through walls, & ceilings.

Where does it work best? Johns Manville Climate Pro® loose-fill fiberglass insulation is made for installation in open attics to fill hard-to-reach areas like corners, edges and around framing.

What other benefits does it offer? Fiberglass insulation is a cost-effective way to insulate your home or commercial property. Not only could you see some savings on your heating and cooling bills, but it can also help reduce noise pollution. It is also non-combustible and non-absorbent. It also has a great R-value. R-value stands for “resistance value” and it measures an insulating material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation power that material has.

Does fiberglass sound like a great fit for your home or business? Are you interested in learning more about fiberglass insulation for your Wayzata property? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612. We are a professional insulation company, and one of our specialties is fiberglass insulation. We have several decades of experience under our belts, and we are fully licensed, bonded and insured for all of the work that we do. You can get a free estimate on how much new fiberglass insulation will cost too. 

Best Residential Insulation for Cold Climates

Posted by & filed under Cellulose Insulation.

Here in Minnesota, our climate is undeniably cold. When the summer is over and winter sets in, it gets downright frigid. High-quality insulation is therefore needed to keep homes comfortable not only in the summer but during the winter as well. The right insulation can keep a home safe and heating bills down. But, what types of insulation are best for this cold climate? As the trusted name in insulation including cellulose insulation for St Michael and the surrounding areas, we’ve put together a list of the top choices in insulation for our climate no matter the time of year.

Home Insulation Twin Cities

Before we go into what types of insulation are best for northern climates, we must first talk a bit about the R-Value. It is a metric that stands for the insulation material’s resistance to heat flow. The type of insulation and its R-Value that is needed depends mostly on where you live. In our case of Minnesota, the higher, the better. The general rule is that the higher the R-Value, the better the insulation material.

Blown-In Cellulose Insulation

Blown-In cellulose insulation that has an R-Value of 49 is the best for cold climates. It is effective at all temperatures but can perform even better during cold periods. It’s the best to use in ceilings, open new wall cavities, unfinished attic floors, or other such hard-to-reach places.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation also has a higher R-Value. It can even help eliminate some other tasks, such as caulking since it also forms an air barrier when it settles. It starts as a liquid, and it expands to fill all the available space, thus sealing cracks, gaps, and air leaks. 

Fiberglass

For cold climates, loose-fill fiberglass insulation has a great R-Value too. It will also not lose its energy-saving capabilities over time. It is non-combustible, non-corrosive & non-absorbent. If exposed to moisture, fiberglass will not hold water. We install high-quality JM fiberglass insulation. When you have us upgrade your insulation needs with JM fiberglass insulation, you can expect year-round comfort.

All three of these solutions work best for our cold climate in Minnesota and here at Lewis Insulation, we supply all three! Not sure which one to choose? Allow our experts to help you select what will work best for your home.

Prepare your home for the lowest possible temperatures this winter, today! For more information about insulation, including cellulose insulation, for your St Michael area home or business, call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us for a Free Estimate.

The Many Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Posted by & filed under Spray Foam Insulation.

Is your home’s air conditioning already working on overdrive? If your insulation is out of date or inadequate, you may be fighting a losing battle. Newly installed, higher-quality insulation can help lower your heating and cooling bills and one of the best insulation options out there is spray foam insulation. Plymouth area residents love this type of insulation because of its high R-value and its ability to help save them some money on their heating and cooling costs. Here are a few more reasons to love closed cell spray foam insulation.

Spray Foam Insulation Plymouth

Here at Lewis Insulation, we offer closed-cell polyurethane spray foam insulation. It is one of the most advanced insulating materials available today in the construction industry. We use state-of-the-art equipment & have completed certified training & continued education on spraying polyurethane spray foam.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation has a very high R-value. R-value measures a material’s resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the material is for insulation purposes. And if your house’s insulation has a high R-value, that could translate into savings for you. You could save money on your utility bills because your spray foam insulation is doing such a great job keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

And, because closed-cell spray foam insulation won’t allow moisture into your home, this also means that dust and other allergens are less likely to enter your home too. This could lead to better health for you and your family, especially for those who have allergies. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is also a great way to help reduce the amount of outside noise that enters your home. This is especially beneficial for those who live near a busy road or a similar area.

Spray foam insulation can help increase your home’s structural integrity and help keep birds, insects, squirrels and other pests from nesting in your home. In the long run, this could help you avoid pests like termites, which could cause a great deal of damage and require expensive repairs.

There are many different ways closed cell spray foam insulation can benefit you and your family!

Do you want more information about spray foam insulation in the Plymouth area? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us and request a Free Estimate.