Unless you’ve been personally involved in the home construction process, it may be hard to believe just how complicated crafting four walls and a roof can be. From the support beams in the basement to the vents in the attic, every square inch of a new home construction or large addition is painstakingly planned. For the hands-on homeowners who don’t mind dedicating their free time toward making sure their new home will be a better place, now is the time to research insulation options. Once the bricks go up or the sheetrock goes over top the wooden frames, it’s a rather difficult process to install this essential heat-trapping construction material. The best insulation contractors will tell you that there are a few routes you can take when picking out the right type for your home, but it all requires research.
That research includes where in the house the insulation will be applied, which material you’d like to use, possible trouble spots that may not be immediately identified and additional benefits such as areas that may need soundproofing. However, the key question here is also one that insulation contractors hear quite often: “When should I have insulation installed?” We’re glad you asked, because there’s plenty of confusion surrounding the topic. Spray polyurethane film, which is becoming a favorite among construction contractors, is applied during construction after most of the plumbing, wiring and HVAC ducts have been fitted into the bones of the home. This foam, that adheres to wood, masonry and joists, will expand and offer unparalleled sealing properties. Now the next part usually goes without saying, but sometimes isn’t so clear: The walls can’t be up yet. If you still require insulation services to your existing home, there are opportunities that you can take advantage of. For example, insulation contractors will tell you that polyurethane foam can be applied to the inside of your roof or under floors to ensure heat-trapping and air conditioner-retaining properties.
The last part is really what insulation is all about. You, as the proud new owner of a new construction, will pay a lot of money over the next decades for utility service. It would be a shame if all the hot or cool air continued to escape through the same untreated walls and ceilings for years to come. In fact, having a professional contractor handle the insulation installation will offer the added benefits of keeping mold and mildew out as well as insects and rodents. For those in the midst of the construction process, there’s likely still time to pick foam insulation as the best way to keep the heat inside your home; just be sure to contact insulation contractors as soon as possible to weigh your options.
