5 Inspiring Home Projects That Add Value to Your Home

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1 5 Inspiring Home Projects That Add Value to Your Home Cameron Home Insulation Charlie Lewis

2 CONTENTS 1) Executive Summary 3 2) 5 Projects That Add Value To Your Home_4 3) Insulation Options 8 4) Recommended Insulation Levels 9

3 Executive Summary Home improvements such as converting an attic to a loft, adding a home theater, and insulating your pipes to prevent them from freezing can add value to your home. However, usually when you start a home improvement project a new set of challenges often comes with it. Specifically, how do you make your home more energy efficient and comfortable to live in? That s why an insulation upgrade may assist in making life more comfortable as you continue to make changes to your home this fall. Between cellulose, spray foam, and blown-in fiberglass insulation, there are so many types of insulation to select from that sometimes, it can be quite overwhelming. We re here to educate, and help you understand the differences between each type individual type of insulation. Once you have a clear idea what the distinct differences are between the different types of insulation you may want to know how it keeps your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Depending on which region of the nation you reside your homes attic, crawlspace, or floors could be severely under-insulated. Do you want to know how much insulation your home will need to stay comfortable year round? Insulation levels are detailed by R-value. R-value is a measure of insulations capacity to combat heat passing through it. The greater an insulations R-value is the better its thermal performance will be..

4 5 Inspiring Projects That Add Value to Your Home There s an array of insulation options available to you based on your specific needs. Improving your insulation can open up once-overlooked areas of your home and turn them into a luxurious room. Setting a spending-limit based on research of all the available options is consequential whether you hire someone or do it yourself. Now that you ve completed your homework, are you ready to start a life-changing home improvement project? Whether you intend to save money by improving efficiency or recapturing space in your home, the outcome is sure to be extraordinary and worth the investment. Attic to Loft Conversion- Converting unused attic space can add lots of square footage to your home. However, based on the condition of the existing area it could be a pretty big project. However, it s cheaper than buying a new home. Some of the challenges that you may face include mold or old insulation that needs to be removed, inadequate ventilation resulting in a pocket of warm air, or gaps and openings in the roofline. However, you can resolve the problem by air-sealing gaps with closed cell spray foam insulation or installing fiberglass batt insulation. Basement Home Theater- Even if the desired result is a sanctuary that allows you to relax with the family, you can t ask for a more intimate location than a basement theater that s built with style and purpose.

5 However, basements are also known for collecting moisture, and this issue should be resolved prior to installing a new big screen TV and stereo equipment. Before beginning construction on your home theater, consult a professional to assess the nature of any moisture or water damage. A full-faced ISO rigid board is an excellent option for smooth base walls, and furring strips can be attached to the foam when it s time to build out the walls. Spray foam and blown-in dense-packed cellulose are also great insulating options for combating noise over the basement room area. Insulate Water Pipes - For some homeowners deciding to insulate a home s water pipes is a pretty easy choice. Insulating your hot water pipes keeps your water warm, and the hot water waiting in your pipes will also cool down slower if you have a traditional water heater. Insulating your cold water pipes also prevents your pipes from freezing during the long winter months

6 Drop Ceiling to Cathedral - Who doesn t love cathedral ceilings? After all, they make the smallest of areas ample, and unlike a vaulted ceiling, they give a built-in design diagram via the existing roof pitch. However, there are obstacles that need to be overcome when trying to add a small bit of class to a living room, bedroom, or foyer area. Some of the challenges include having enough space to sufficiently insulate and vent the area. Finally, lifting the ceiling alters the home's air flow and conditioned space. To combat these issues, we recommend that you consider building out the ceiling area to the rafters to expand the depth of available space for insulation and ventilation. One additional option to consider before beginning construction on your cathedral ceiling would be to contact a contractor to conduct a home energy assessment. During the home energy assessment, a contractor can help you determine if any modifications are necessary to your home's heating and cooling systems.

7 Wall Retrofit Filling a vacant wall cavity with insulation increases the R-value of the wall. While most new homes have insulation in the exterior walls, homes that were built before 1980 may not have insulation, and if they do, it may have deteriorated over time. Retrofit is an industry term that professionals use to refer to the upgrade of a home s existing insulation. Some drawbacks of retrofitting an exterior wall with insulation include ensuring that the insulation fills the wall cavity completely. However, because visibility is limited, this can be quite difficult. Moreover, drilling holes in the wall, if not done correctly, creates the risk of destroying the exterior wall. That s why we recommend using slow-expanding open-cell spray foam insulation during installation. This guarantees that the foam wall will fill the entire wall cavity. No matter what type of insulation you select, make sure to consult a contractor and discuss a plan of action for adequately patching existing holes.

8 Insulation options: Cellulose or loose fill insulation is usually installed in building cavities. Cellulose insulation is a highly adept air barrier, is energy efficient, and it blocks the flow of air and moisture. Cellulose insulation is also a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly insulation for an exterior envelope. When exposed to a flame, traditional fiberglass insulation melts, allowing fire to spread rapidly. Neither fiberglass nor spray foam insulation can match the fire ratings achieved with cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation is more expensive to install than fiberglass insulation, but cellulose insulation is manufactured from recycled paper and is the least polluting form of insulation. In addition, there s no adverse health effects assocoated with cellulose insulation. Fiberglass Insulation There are two forms of fiberglass insulation: batt and blown-in. Fiberglass insulation is versatile, affordable, easy to install, and eco-friendly. Blown-in fiberglass insulation fills all voids, gaps, and other leaks found in a home. Blanket insulation is the most common and widely available type of insulation. It comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag), plastic fibers, and natural fibers such as cotton and sheep's wool. Spray Foam Insulation This performs as both an insulation and air barrier. Spray foam is used to fill gaps and stop leaks in any area of the home. Unlike traditional forms of insulation air-sealing, your home with spray foam insulation establishes a protective shield that significantly improves the comfort, efficiency, and performance of your home. While traditional insulation offers thermal resistance, spray foam insulation also provides an air barrier and vapor barrier. This helps to control air and moisture from entering or leaving a home.

9 Department of Energy Recommended Insulation Levels The information listed below details which levels of insulation are practical for contrasting climates and areas in the home.. Zone Uninsulated Attic Attic Area with 3 to 4 inches of existing insulation Floor 1 R-30 to R-49 R-25 to R-30 R-13 2 R-30 to R-60 R-25 to R-38 R-13 to-r-19 3 R-30 to R-60 R-25 to R-38 R-19 to R-25 4 R-38 to R-60 R-38 R-25- to R-30 5 to 8 R-49 to R-60 R-38 to R-49 R-25 to R-30

10 THANK YOU. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Lewis