Posts Tagged ‘attic insulation’
Friday, January 20th, 2012
Your entire home acts as a single heating and cooling system. Each component affects the next, from your HVAC system and ductwork to your home’s envelope (windows, doors, and floors) and even insulation. If even one area of your home is not doing its job properly, the whole system suffers. And when the whole system suffers, you pay more every month on your energy bills.
So if you feel your home may not be as energy efficient as it could be, you have several options. You can pay to have your HVAC system serviced, you can have your windows replaced, you can have your ductwork insulated, or you can insulate your attic. And while the other home improvement projects can be quite costly, addressing your attic insulation can be a nice cost-effective alternative.
Attic insulation is designed to keep your home warm and cozy in the winter and nice and cool in the summer. If your attic insulation levels are low, your HVAC system will have to work twice as hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. And guess what? That will cost you some money!
So what should you do?
For starters, perform a visual inspection of your attic insulation. Look across the span of the attic. If you cannot see your floor joists and your insulation is evenly distributed throughout the attic, you probably have enough insulation. Adding more would just be a waste of money. But if your insulation level is just below your floor joists, you should add more.
So what are you waiting for? Start insulating!
In fact, ENERGY STAR estimates that properly insulating your attic could save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs. The recommended insulation level for most attics is R-38 (or about 12–15 inches, depending on the insulation type). In the coldest climates, insulating up to R-49 is recommended.
So get to work making your home more energy efficient and start saving money!
If you have any questions or wish to learn more, please contact Allied Remodeling Corporation by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!
Allied Remodeling is a family owned, full service remodeling company serving the Baltimore/Washington area since 1996. We offer the highest quality products and expert installation by our team of factory-trained professionals; backed by our exclusive Allied Remodeling labor warranty.
Allied Remodeling was featured nationally on the Today Show and locally in Baltimore Magazine as a reliable contractor. Our company is focused on quality and strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and we look forward to serving you in the future.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star
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Posted in Attic Insulation, Home Improvement Tips, Maryland Home Improvement Contractor | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2011
Insulating your attic is a great way to improve the overall comfort of your home while also reducing your monthly energy bills and thus saving you money! It’s a win-win. But before you go throwing pink insulation all around your attic, there are a few things you should know.
• Seal all attic-to-home air leaks: Insulation will not stop airflow, so if you want your insulation to be effective, you must first seal any air leaks.
o Duct exhaust fans to the outside: Use a tightly constructed box to cover fan housing on attic side. Seal around the duct where it exits the box. Seal the perimeter of the box to the drywall on attic side.
o Cover openings into attic: Cover with openings with plywood then seal to the attic side of the ceiling. area with plywood and seal to the attic side of the ceiling.
o Seal around chimney and framing: Do this with a high-temperature caulk or furnace cement.
o At the tops of interior walls, use long-life caulk to seal the smaller gaps and holes. Use expanding foam or strips of rigid foam board insulation for the larger gaps.
• Clearance: Make sure insulation doesn’t block soffit vents to allow for attic ventilation.
• Check the attic ceiling for water stains or marks: If you find any such signs of roof leaks, contact a roofing repair company, like Allied Remodeling, immediately.
Allied Remodeling specializes in asphalt and rubber roofing systems for residential and commercial applications. We install Certainteed roofing products, a company who has been manufacturing the highest quality shingles with the strongest warranties for over 100 years. Certainteed has certified us as a Master Shingle Applicator which guarantees your roof is installed to manufacturer’s specifications. We are able to complete most residential roofing projects in just one day with little disturbance to your daily routine. During the installation we adhere strictly to OSHA safety regulations. Our clean up procedure is unsurpassed leaving your home and yard free from debris once the project is completed.
If you have any questions, contact Allied Remodeling Corporation by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!
Allied Remodeling is a family owned, full service remodeling company serving the Baltimore/Washington area since 1996. We offer the highest quality products and expert installation by our team of factory trained professionals; backed by our exclusive Allied Remodeling labor warranty.
Allied Remodeling was featured nationally on the Today Show and locally in Baltimore Magazine as a reliable contractor. Our company is focused on quality and strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and we look forward to serving you in the future.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Attic Insulation
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Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
This year has been bringing on an onslought of heatwaves into the area. It’s hard to surf the tube without hearing about the latest heat advisory and to walk outside without feeling scorched under the sun’s glaring eyes. Yet inspite of the scorcher, your home is suppose to protect you from getting sick from the heat.
However, not all homes are ventilated enough. If there isn’t enough ventilation circulating around your home, you may be a victim of any heat related illness. Though fans and air conditioning can be pretty effective with keeping you cool–if your windows aren’t safeguarded against bringing in the sun’s heat inside the home, than it’s counterproductive to keep those oscillators on.
This article from Ehow.com has ways and tips on stonewalling your windows against the sun’s rays emitting through. By blocking the sun’s rays from seeping through your windows, you will not only reduce the high temperature in your home but also minimize energy costs too.
One way to block the sun is to invest in getting a window awning to cover the top portions of your window. They are often attached to the exterior of a home, over the windows and come in different lenghths and sizes. People can even customize them to fit a certain house style or to maximize enough protection from the sun.
Another way to block the sun is to invest in getting either a blackout curtain or a window blind. Either will get the job done, but again it’s all about preference. A blackout curtain is normally multy layered, thus section of rays of light and are available in different shades or colors. If you don’t mind the cost, than you will be able to savor in more ventilation in your home.
Window blinds are a cheaper alternative to blackout curtains, vary in size and are easily raised or lowered depending on a person’s preference.
Aside from investing in chic awnings, blinds or curtains; it’s also wise to consider getting some plants outside to prevent the sun from reaching the windows, and purchasing insulating foam blocks to bar heat loss and the sun’s harmful rays.
Hopefully these tips helped you insulate your windows better. If you want more ideas or need extra help with your windows, come to us, your friend in business. Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Allied Remodeling, attic insulation, cutting cooling costs, energy efficient, heat warnings, home improvements, Maryland, Maryland Remodeling, replacement windows, sunrooms, tips for heatwaves, vinyl siding, windows, windows prevent heat
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Father’s Day is right around the corner and if you are like most people out there, you will be scrambling this week to find the perfect gift. But what does your dad want? In a recent poll done by Harris Interactive, 80% of fathers admitted they wanted gifts related to home improvement. So instead of buying dad another tie or some socks, get him something he really wants, like a brand new deck.
Building a deck is a great way to add value, beauty, and outdoor living space to your home. When designing a deck there are many options to consider including size, style, materials and usage.
Of course, the final home improvement project is up to you. So brainstorm and find out what your father (or husband) would really want. What is that one project that he has always talked about, but has just not had the time to get around to? Maybe a new roof? The possibilities are endless.
What you need to do first is figure out your budget. Once you have set that, you will have a better idea of what home improvement project you can afford to tackle. Consider contacting a professional remodeling service to help plan everything out. Or maybe you would rather have them complete the job for you.
And if you are looking for a company that is both well-qualified and customer fiendly, look no further than Allied Remodeling. Upon contacting Allied they will schedule a convenient time to meet and discuss your project. During this meeting their representative will discuss the many options available to you and show you product samples, pictures, and references. Then Allied provides you with a firm written proposal.
Once you decide to move forward, they will assign you a project coordinator who will visit your home to review the project, schedule delivery and start dates, and be your personal contact during the manufacture and installation process. During the installation your project foremen will be on site to answer any questions and walk you through the finished project.
Allied’s service department is always available. In fact, they guarantee to have your service scheduled within 24 hrs of your call. Allied’s technicians are available evenings and weekends for your convenience.
If you have any questions, Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Friday, June 10th, 2011
Isn’t it time to do something your dad will really like this Father’s Day? So instead of taking him to some fancy restaurant, why not grill him up a barbeque fit for a king? A real man’s feast. So let your dad lounge in his lawn chair, drink his beer and just relax, while you grill up some of the most mouthwatering food any man could ever want.
This article from eHow.com beaks the process down step by step.
1. A few days before father’s day, take time to plan out what you want to serve at the barbeque. Will you barbeque Japanese chicken skewers, or vegetable skewers? Consider what your father’s tastes are and cater to him. If he loves potato salad, it might be in your best interest to serve potato salad.
2. Once you have everything planned for food, go shopping for all of the ingredients you will need. This might also be the best time to buy a father’s day card or a gift. Make a day out of purchasing all you will need for the father’s day. You might consider buying some wine or beer for your father if they enjoy drinking.
3. Since you most likely will be grilling on an outdoor barbeque, keep in mind the types of supplies you need for a barbeque. If you have a coal barbeque, make certain that you have enough lighter fluid and coals. If you use a propane grill, check to make sure that there’s enough propane in the tank.
4. The day before father’s day, check your recipe list to see if any foods would benefit being made a day early. Some examples of foods that deepens their flavors: potato or macaroni salad, baked beans, marinating meat and homemade barbeque sauce. If you are planning on serving anything that should be made the day before, do so.
5. If the barbeque is a father’s day surprise, lead your father out to his new grill in the morning just after he wakes up. This will be a pleasant morning gift that will be sure to make his day brighter.
6. In mid-afternoon, start heating the barbeque up for the upcoming food.
7. Continue cooking any foods that require additional cooking. Since many traditional barbeque foods taste better a day later, you might not have much cooking to do the day of until the barbeque is fully heated.
8. Once the barbeque heats up, start cooking any vegetables or meat you wish. Keep a set of barbeque utensils on hand to keep you or your father from burning yourselves.
9. A handy utensil to have at the barbeque is a kitchen thermometer. This way you can easily determine if the meat is fully cooked to proper temperatures.
10. Once all of the food is cooked on the barbeque, serve everything on nice tableware.
11. Remember to thank your father for being himself and helping you be the way you are today.
12. If you plan on serving a special dessert, such as tempura-fried ice cream, after everyone is finished with their main meal, determine when everyone wants to eat dessert.
13. Once everyone is ready for dessert, take the time to finish cooking the dessert and serve it while it is fresh and hot.
Now that’s a Father’s Day!
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Contact Allied Remodeling Corp. by calling 410-769-9700 or click here today!
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Monday, October 18th, 2010
Once you’ve winterized the walls of your home as we discussed is our last post to prevent cold air from driving out warm air, it’ll be time to check out your attic. Because warm air rises, the attic is the most likely place for your heat to escape. This page provides a good overview for insulating your attic.
We talked a lot about adding insulation over the summer, but now is really the time to do it. It’s essential for keeping your home comfortable in the winter and your energy costs low. Don’t overlook the door or hatch to the attic. Use insulation or weather stripping to prevent heat escape that way. Finally, any hole from your attic where ducts, plumbing, or electrical wiring travel from your attic should be filled with spray foam or foam board.
You probably know the importance of winterizing your home by now but may not have the time to do it. If so, contact us, and we’ll run through the winterization checklist with you and figure our how we can help get the process done.
Tags: Allied Remodeling, attic, attic insulation, attics, home winterization, insulation application, insulation installation, weather stripping, winterization, winterize
Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments »
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
If you’ve read our recent blogs and have decided to install insulation in your attic, you now have a new decision to make: what kind of insulation should you choose. Bat insulation is sold in sheets at hardware stores and can be installed by homeowners. Blown insulation is sprayed into your attic to create a consistent blanket and requires a professional.
You can make an argument for both methods. As this article shows, neither option is consistently cheaper than the other although bat insulates slightly better than blown. Those who prefer to DIY projects, will obviously choose bat insulation. However, it is time consuming, potentially frustrating, and requires you wear protective clothing and accessories.
If you want the comfort and savings without the hassle, then blown insulation is probably a better option. Contact us and we can help you with the installation process.
Tags: Allied Remodeling, attic insulation, bat insulation, blown in insulation, blown insulation, DIY insulation, insulation installation, sheet insulation
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Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
In our last post, we talked about the benefits that attic insulation offers in the summer. Although insulation helps keep hot air from entering the house through the attic, there’s no getting around that it can trap in heat that enters through other areas of the home. One solution that will still let you get the benefits of attic insulation while mitigating the drawbacks is an attic fan.
Sometimes called “whole-house fans,” attic fans are large fans installed in the ceiling that separates the top floor of your home from your attic. They’re like giant versions of the exhaust fans in your bathroom and draw all the hot air out of your home into your attic where it can ventilate to the outside. At the same time, the attic fan brings air in through open windows, and if you’ve ever been next to a window when an attic fan is running, you know it can create quite a nice breeze blowing through a home.
Some homeowners are able to avoid running their air conditionings in the summer thanks to attic fans. They leave their homes closed up while at work during the heat of the day so the inside temperature doesn’t rise as much as it does outside. Then when they get home, they’ll open the windows and turn on the attic fan. The house cools down in no time and remains comfortable all night.
Attic fans don’t cost nearly as much to run as your AC so you cut down on your energy cost and make your home more energy efficient. If you’d like to learn more about how an attic fan can benefit you and about how their installation, check out this article from the Weather Channel or contact us and we’ll get you set up.
Tags: air conditioning alternatives, Allied Remodeling, attic fan installation, attic fans, attic insulation, energy efficient cooling, summer cooling, whole house fan installation, whole house fans
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
It may seem crazy to talk about attic insulation in the middle of a hot summer, but we have good reason. We all know that insulating your attic can increase your comfort while reducing your heating costs, but, as this article points out, it can also be beneficial in the summer.
Insulation works by slowing the passage of warm air through it. We mostly focus on its usefulness in keeping warm air inside during the winter. However, the same principle applies in the summer when insulation can keep warm air out of the house.
As a result, the insulation can help keep your home’s internal temperature down in the summer, which means your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard. So insulation can then keep your cooling costs down the same as it does for your heating costs in the winter.
Because of the low demand for insulation in the summer, now’s a great time to get it installed. Contact us and we can get feeling cooler and paying less before you know it.
Tags: Allied Remodeling, attic insulation, attics, cutting cooling costs, energy costs, heating/cooling systems, home insulation, reduce air conditiong, summer cooling
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
