Websites for insulation contractors.

Far more than most houses built before the nineties have. We measure what is there with a depth gauge, photograph it, and tell you the current level and the recommended one for our climate zone. Depth alone is not the whole story though — insulation that is matted, wet or pushed aside is not performing at the number printed on the bag.

Because most attic heat loss is air moving through gaps, not heat conducting through material. Warm moist air escaping around a bathroom fan, a pot light or a plumbing stack carries far more energy than the same area of under-insulated ceiling, and it is what frosts an attic and drives ice damming. Blowing insulation over an unsealed ceiling buries the problem and leaves you disappointed with the bill.

Foam earns its cost where you need air seal and insulation in one step and have no depth to work with — rim joists, cathedral ceilings, crawl spaces, van and addition roofs. Open attics and stud walls are usually better served by air sealing plus blown-in or batts at a fraction of the price. Anyone who recommends foam everywhere is selling foam, not advice.

For the working day and the manufacturer's re-entry period afterward, yes — typically a full day, with ventilation running. We contain and ventilate the area regardless. Once it has cured, the foam is inert. Batt and blown-in work needs no re-entry period at all.

Usually, when it is done with air sealing and venting together. Ice dams form because heat escaping into the attic melts snow that refreezes at the cold eave. The fix is stopping the heat and air leaks, then making sure the soffits are clear and baffled so the attic runs cold. Heat cables treat the symptom and add to your hydro bill forever.

Frequently, through utility and government home efficiency programs, and the rules change from year to year. Most require an energy assessment before the work and another after, in that order — doing the work first usually disqualifies it. We will tell you what is running when you call and document the job the way the program requires.