Insulation, contractors, home builders

The insulation effectiveness depends closely on the quality of its installation. So, be aware... Most installations have poor quality or are inadequate.

Insulation levels

To keep prices competitive, builders tend to offer non-optimal insulation levels. Typically, they implement legal minimums and since attic insulation is inexpensive relatively to wall insulation, or even to insulation of floors and foundations, they often install adequate levels in the attics but not in other rooms and parts of the house.

Dealing with insulation contractors

When dealing with insulation contractors, demand high quality, ask questions (for instance, how do they achieve a high degree of air sealing and proper coverage).

Do not forget to...

- check and ask for references (insulation works, homeowners, certifications).

- get cost estimations and compare them with those of other contractors.

- ask about insurances (involving the contractor, his staff and potential damages...)

- check the materials and their brands (be aware with insulation products packed in unlabelled bags).

- check the materials, which should be evaluated by their R-values and not in inches. The USA Federal Trade Commission does not allow insulation to be marked by its R-value per inch.

- demand a contract or receipt involving the levels of the installed insulation. Law requires it in USA and other countries.

- check the final work (eventually demanding it to someone with enough expertise);

Home insulation rules

The USA Federal Trade Comission Home Insulation Rule 460 regulates home insulation. That rule states that consumers should receive from contractors or home builders: fact-sheets involving the installed insulation, and a contract or a receipt (duly signed and dated by the installer/home builder) for the installed insulation, stating the coveraged area, thickness, R-value or the number of bags of fiber used or other quantifications.

In the case of new houses, the sales contract should list the type, R-value and thickness (see: Insulation & Performance) for each type of insulation material installed and the parts of the house where it is installed.