Blog Posts Written for You & Valley Insulation, LLC

Jan 17 2022

Cellulose Insulation FAQs

Valley Insulation represents one of Cincinnati’s top insulation companies. Our team specializes in NuWool Insulation for your home. Our company has been in business since 1977, and we understand how to install residential and commercial insulation.

Today, we answer several FAQs about cellulose insulation for your home.

What is cellulose insulation?

Cellulose insulation is an eco-friendly fiber insulation made of recycled paper.

Is cellulose insulation a good insulation?

Yes, it is a safe product to use for new and existing homes and conforms to all building codes.

What are the benefits and advantages of cellulose insulation?

Your home receives several benefits from new cellulose insulation, including:

Lower utility bills. Over time, this kind of insulation pays for itself if you lower your utility bills due to less heat exchange from your home to the outside and vice versa. Other factors may come into play, such as air leaks in the house, weather conditions, and the condition of your building.
Better R-value versus other types. Typical insulation has an R-value of 3.5 per inch. Cellulose insulation has an R-value of 3.8 per inch, meaning it insulates better for every inch of material.
Eco-friendly. Not only do you lower your utility bills, but you also lower your carbon footprint and keep more paper out of landfills with your purchase of cellulose insulation.
Fire-retardant. Companies like Nu-Wool add fire-retardant properties to cellulose insulation, which reduces the chances of a fire spreading through your home due to insulation.
Mold-resistant. Cellulose insulation has anti-microbial properties thanks to a borate additive.
Pest-resistant. Pests, insects, and rodents generally do not like cellulose insulation due in part to the borate additive.
Works around your existing infrastructure. Blown-in insulation settles in around your current infrastructures, such as wires, pipes, and ductwork to cover every possible nook and cranny.
Lower costs. Typically, charges are lower when compared to other types.
Allows you to install in walls without removing all of your existing sheetrock. Technicians merely drill a small hole (2-3 inches) towards the top of your wall and blow the cellulose insulation into the cavity. Within an afternoon, your existing home may have new insulation to help manage the comfort level of you and your family.

What is the R-value of cellulose insulation?

3.8 per inch.

Who installs cellulose insulation in Greater Cincinnati?

Valley Insulation serves Greater Cincinnati by installing high-quality cellulose insulation from Nu-Wool.

Our friendly staff will come to your home, give you a free estimate, and provide you with excellent customer service from start to finish for your cellulose insulation project.

We promise to answer your questions every step of the way. Contact us online or call 513-353-4100 for more information.

Dec 17 2021

Crawl Space Insulation FAQs

Valley Insulation, one of Cincinnati’s top insulation companies, specializes in NuWool Insulation for your home. Our company has been in business since 1977, and our team understands how to install residential and commercial insulation.

Today, we answer several FAQs about crawl space insulation for your home.

What is the most effective crawl space insulation?

Rigid foam insulation boards are the most effective because we can install it along the walls of the foundation rather than in between floor joists. However, to strengthen your insulation we can install blown-in cellulose insulation by fastening boards along the joists to contain the insulation.

What kind of insulation should I use in my crawl space?

Rigid foam boards are one possibility, but so is blow-in cellulose insulation using boards applied to the joists of your floors.

Can you install cellulose insulation in a crawl space?

Yes. High-quality cellulose insulation can fill the cavities in between the joists of your floors with anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of blow-in insulation, depending on how thick your joists are. We make this happen by installing plywood boards at the bottom of each cavity. Then, we blow in the cellulose insulation before sealing it with a vapor barrier for maximum effectiveness.

Is insulating a crawl space worth it?

Yes, in several ways.

Reduces heat or cooling loss. Crawl space insulation reduces the flow of air into and out of your building. Up to 50% of the air in your crawl space can transfer to your home. Insulation can help prevent this.
Keeps floors at a moderate temperature. Have you ever walked barefoot on your floors and noticed it’s hotter or colder compared to the rest of the room? Crawl space insulation can help eliminate this start temperature change.
Reduces condensation in your crawl space. Condensation in your crawl space might produce excess moisture. Moisture draws mold, mildew, and pests. These items can lead to rot in your building’s structure, which may turn into much more expensive fixes and repairs.
Improves air quality. Insulation under your bottom floor helps improve your air quality by forming a barrier between your floor and crawl space.
Lowers your heating and cooling bills. Perhaps the most tangible benefit of crawl space insulation is that it can lower your heating and cooling costs. Your individual results will vary.

How do you insulate a crawl space with a dirt floor?

The installation process depends on if your crawl space is ventilated or not. Ventilation helps prevent condensation from forming. If it is not ventilated, we may install a vapor barrier that helps reduce or prevent condensation.

We can apply rigid foam boards to the walls of your crawl space in addition to putting cellulose insulation against the floor in between joists.

Who installs crawl space insulation in Greater Cincinnati?

Valley Insulation serves Greater Cincinnati with quality insulation installation, something we’ve been doing since 1977.

Our friendly staff will come to your home, give you a free estimate, and provide you with excellent customer service from start to finish for your crawl space insulation project. We promise to answer your questions every step of the way.

Nov 16 2021

Attic Insulation FAQs

Valley Insulation, one of Cincinnati’s top insulation companies, specializes in NuWool Insulation for your home’s attic and walls. Our company has been in business since 1977, and our team knows a thing or two about residential and commercial insulation.

Today, we answer several FAQs about attic insulation for your home.

What is the most effective attic insulation?

Blown-in cellulose insulation is the best choice for your attic because:

It has better R-value. Blown-in insulation has an R-value of 3.8 versus 3.5 for batts or rolls. Over time, you need less of this type of attic insulation to get the results you need.
It’s eco-friendly. Cellulose insulation, especially Nu-Wool, is made from 80% recycled newspapers.
Installation takes less than a day. Rather than having to staple batts or unroll insulation, cellulose insulation for your unfinished attic is blown in through hoses and a powerful blowing machine.
You install only what you need. Cellulose insulation allows you to install only what you need for your house size and your location.

What kind of insulation should I use in my attic?

Blow-in cellulose insulation is the most effective way to go because of its R-value, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness.

How much attic insulation do I need in Greater Cincinnati?

For the Greater Cincinnati region, the EPA recommends an R-value of R49 to R60 for attic insulation.

Since cellulose insulation has an R-value of 3.8 per inch, you’ll need anywhere from 13 to 16 inches of cellulose insulation in your attic for best results.

How much does attic insulation cost to install?

With a professional company like Valley Insulation, expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $70 an hour for labor in addition to the costs of the material. Installers should offer you a free quote.

How much money will I save with the right attic insulation?

The EPA estimates that homeowners can save up to 15 percent on heating and cooling bills with the right amount of attic insulation. The national average comes to a savings of $200 per year, so your attic insulation could pay for itself in 10 years. Your results will vary based on several factors.

How long does it take a professional company to install attic insulation?

Anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the size of the job.

How do I know if my attic insulation is bad or lacking?

Watch out for any of these seven signs:

Drafts in your house. Airflow may let heat or cold into your home, which makes your HVAC system work harder to keep your family comfortable.
Different temperatures throughout the house. If your downstairs living room feels comfortably warm or cool, but an upstairs bedroom feels frigid or sweltering (depending on the time of year), you might need new attic insulation.
Condensation or moisture in the attic. Extreme temperature changes can let moisture into the attic, and you can prevent this through proper attic insulation.
Higher-than-normal utility bills. Are your utility bills higher than normal, even taking into account any shifts in costs your utility company told you about in advance? Consider new attic insulation to solve this issue.
HVAC system running more. If your air conditioning or furnace runs longer than normal, also taking into account extreme temperatures outside, your home may benefit from new attic insulation.
Old insulation. When was the last time you improved the insulation in the upper levels of your home? If it’s been a decade or two, or the insulation is not up to current building codes, you might invest in new attic insulation.
Pests in the attic. Bugs, mice, squirrels, and possums love to find warm spots in the winter. Your attic is a prime location for a nest to shelter from the frigid weather. You’ll need a professional pest control company to take care of any critters and then possibly replace some or all of your attic insulation in the meantime.

If you suspect bad attic insulation, a home energy audit can pinpoint the cause ahead of investing in this type of home improvement.

How often should I replace insulation in my attic?

You may never need to replace attic insulation because it lasts anywhere from 80 to 100 years. Your results may vary.

How do companies install attic insulation?

The overall process is straightforward, particularly when professional insulation installers have been in business for decades. Here’s what to expect:

Start with a free quote. Once you contact your chosen attic insulation company, someone will come to your home to ascertain how much insulation you’ll need, the size of the project, and whether the workers will need to remove old insulation.
Sign the contract. Once you agree to a quote, you’ll sign a contract and make whatever payments are necessary to start the work.
Set up a time. Set a time that works best for you. Typically, insulation companies work on weekdays.
Move essential items out of the attic. Before the installers arrive, you need to remove any essential items out of your attic. Any boxes, furniture, or other items should go in a room that’s out of the way.
Create a clear path for hoses. Depending on where the access to your attic is, you’ll need to create a clear path for vacuum hoses to go to your attic. Garage access is the easiest because installation companies can pull in the driveway and run hoses straight up the ladder to the attic. For second-story access, companies may run a hose through a window.
A truck arrives on the big day! Your insulation company should arrive with a marked truck on the day of the install. In the back of the truck sits a large machine that has a powerful blower in it that moves the cellulose insulation from the machine to the attic through vacuum tubes. This is because blow-in insulation arrives in 50-pound blocks that the machine breaks up into smaller chunks for easy dispersal in the tubes.
Installers will wear protective equipment, such as breathing masks and maybe goggles as well as long-sleeves and pants. Blow-in insulation is eco-friendly and safe, but companies want workers to be able to breathe easily when installing insulation.
Maneuvering hoses. Workers will maneuver hoses around to cover every nook and cranny of your attic to the right depth. For Nu-Wool, the manufacturer recommends 1.6 pounds of insulation per cubic foot.
Clean up at the end of the day. Your installation should last less than a day, typically just an afternoon. An insulation company will clean up any materials left over from the process before leaving. The team will get your signature to note that the job was completed to your satisfaction.

Who installs attic insulation in Greater Cincinnati?

Valley Insulation has been serving the Greater Cincinnati area since 1977. Our friendly staff will come to your home, give you a free estimate, and provide you with excellent customer service from start to finish for your attic insulation project. We promise to answer your questions every step of the way.

Oct 19 2021

Blow-In Insulation FAQs

Valley Insulation is one of Cincinnati’s top insulation companies for installing blow-in insulation. We’ve been in business since 1977, and we know a thing or two about residential and commercial insulation.

Our staff answers several FAQs about blow-in insulation.

What is blow-in insulation?

This type of home insulation refers to thick clumps of thick material filling the gaps in walls and on attic floors to improve heat exchange in your building.

What is blow-in insulation made of?

The best products are made of recycled paper materials, such as newspaper or cardboard. Other materials are made of glass or waste minerals.

Why should I invest in blow-in insulation?

This type of insulation is perfect for attic areas and interior walls with nooks and crannies that are impossible to fill with batt insulation because of the size and shape of the spaces.

Is blow-in insulation eco-friendly?

Yes, in three ways.

Some home insulation is made of post-consumer recycled newspaper or cardboard, which keeps this type of solid waste out of landfills.
Quality home insulation can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars on your utility bills over the years, depending on how long you own your home. Reduced utility bills can lead to less combustion being used to generate electricity, which reduces carbon emissions.
Some brands of home insulation take ten times less energy to produce than fiberglass batts or rolls, which allows you to reduce carbon emissions even more.

Is blow-in insulation better than rolls or batts?

Yes, because it fills in gaps better and has a higher R-value. Cellulose insulation carries an R-value of 3.8 per inch, while batts and rolls typically have an R-value of 3.2 per inch. This means that the more inches of insulation you add, the better it insulates versus the same thickness of batts or rolls.

Can insulation be blown into existing walls?

Yes, by using a specific process of drilling holes in walls.

The process follows these steps:

Home insulation installers will cut a round, 2-½ inch hold towards the top of a wall in between two studs.
Installers hold a flexible tube in each hole while a high-powered blower distributes blow-in insulation into the wall cavity between the studs. This process takes a few minutes in each cavity.
After installation companies complete this process with every wall cavity, they replace the wall cut-outs.
Add a small amount of spackle to cover up the cut made in each wall cavity and dry it thoroughly.
Paint over the wall cut-outs to make it appear as if you never cut into the wall for blow-in insulation.

Blowing insulation into walls offers a great way to insulate your existing residence for exterior walls. Since wall cavities are about 3 inches deep, you’ll get around 3 inches of high-quality insulation in the walls.

How long does blow-in insulation last?

Typically, anywhere from 20 to 30 years. It can degrade if moisture, pests, or rodents invade the insulation. However, it can last anywhere from 80 to 100 years under the right conditions.

How much blow-in insulation do I need in my attic?

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends anywhere from 10 to 14 inches of attic insulation or around R-38. For Greater Cincinnati, experts recommend R-values of anywhere between R-38 and R-60, which is 10 inches to 16 inches of insulation.

How does an insulation blowing machine work?

Blowing insulation into your home takes some special machinery, but it is a simple process similar to vacuuming only in reverse.

A large machine sits in the back of a truck, similar to a moving truck, allowing installers to feed insulation into the top of the machine.
Installers unwrap 30-pound packages of insulation before dropping them one at a time into the open-ended top of the machine.
Slow-moving blades at the bottom of the machine turn the insulation to loosen it.
Another set of blades, smaller than the first set, turn in a 90-degree direction from the larger ones. These blades feed into the tube.
A powerful blower then moves the small clumps of blow-in insulation towards your home or business through a very long series of hoses.

Because the blowing machine is large and heavy, professional installers keep the machine in their truck for ease of use. The team might use ladders to access the attic, while several hose lengths make it easy to distribute the insulation.

What are the best times of year to install blow-in insulation?

Spring and fall represent the two best times to get new insulation for your residential or commercial property. That’s because the temperatures are generally mild. Think late September to early November or late March to early May. These times may fill up fast, so book your installation as soon as you know you want to invest in this type of quality insulation.

How much does blow-in insulation cost to install?

On average, homeowners may spend $1 to $1.50 per square foot for home installation and anywhere from $40 to $70 per hour for technicians.

How long does it take to install blow-in insulation?

Most residential projects take around one day to install, depending on the size of the building. Larger projects may take two days, while commercial buildings may need up to a week.

Is blow-in insulation fire-resistant?

Yes, many types of insulation contain borate, which has fire-resistant properties. The best blow-in insulation brands have a Class A fire rating, which is the best rating you can find for reducing the spread of fire. This rating means a type of insulation withstands fire than other classifications.

Does blow-in insulation resist mold and insects?

Yes, thanks to borate compounds added to the insulation during the manufacturing process.

How much borate goes into blow-in insulation?

Up to 20 percent of the weight of each 30-pound block of insulation contains borate.

Is borate safe for humans?

Yes, the U.S. government has certified that borate is safe when used as part of home or commercial insulation.

Does blow-in insulation smell?

Some brands may have a slight newsprint smell because manufacturers make it out of recycled newspapers.

Who installs blow-in insulation in Greater Cincinnati?

Talk to the experts at Valley Insulation, serving the Greater Cincinnati area since 1977. We’ll come to your home, give you a free estimate, and provide you with excellent customer service from start to finish. We promise to answer your questions every step of the way.

Aug 10 2021

How Long Does It Take to Install Blown-In Cellulose Insulation?

If you need new insulation installed for your home, you’re probably wondering how long the process will take. Well, the amount of time it takes to install blown-in cellulose insulation varies from project to project due to the following factors:

The size of the house or area
Where the insulation is installed
If your old insulation needs to be removed

At Valley Insulation, we want to make sure you fully understand the installation process so you know what to expect. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors below.

How does the size of my house affect installation of blown-in cellulose insulation?

Generally, the larger the space, the longer the installation will take.

For example, if you’re having blown-in cellulose insulation installed in a 1,000-square-foot attic, the project is likely to only take a few hours. On the other hand, if our crew is installing insulation all over your home, you can expect it to take significantly longer. We’ll need to get into wall cavities and maybe even your crawlspace to fully insulate a home.

Where does your company install cellulose insulation?

Depending on the area of your home, certain projects may require different prep work, which will add to the total time of installation.

Depending on where the blown-in cellulose insulation is being installed, our crew may also need to:

Remove exterior singing or drill into drywall with a small hole
Install vents
Seal walls
Prep soffits
Apply weather stripping
Insulate the access door (if insulating an attic)

Certain tasks like these may be necessary to ensure that your insulation is as effective as possible. But, they will take some additional time to complete. Before you hire a crew to begin a project, you should make sure to ask what type of prep work or additional work will be required to complete it.

What happens if I need old insulation removed first?

Before the space can be filled with blown-in insulation, our crew may need to remove the old insulation.

Insulation can become damaged over time. In some instances, our crew can install blown-in cellulose insulation directly over the top of old fiberglass insulation. But in other cases, the old insulation may be too damaged or may be a health hazard due to insect or rodent infestation, flooding, or fire.

If your old insulation needs to be removed, this will tack on a significant amount of time onto the overall project, but one of our technicians can give you an accurate estimate of how long it will take depending on the scope of the project.

Who can help me install insulation in my home or business?

The best way to find out exactly how long an insulation installation project will take is to get a quote from our crew. Contact us online or call (513) 353-4100 today to get started.

Insulation experts since 1977