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Custom Insulation Boston Worcester Blog

Do Not Install New Gutters on Your Own – Worcester, MA

17 May 2013

The single greatest threat to any home in Worcester is moisture. The longer your home takes in water in the roof or basement, the greater the damage can be. You can keep water out of and away from your home with rain gutters. Along these lines, too many homeowners attempt to install their own gutter system in order to save money. But it doesn’t make any sense to install gutters on your own in order to save money when in the long run you may end up spending a lot more to repair water damage.

Repairing damage to your home from water can be very expensive. It is crucial to have a quality, functional gutter system on your home to catch rain and drain it away from the house. The three top reasons to hire a professional to install rain gutters rather than doing it themselves.

1. Seamless gutters are far less likely to leak and they look a lot better on the house. Sectional gutters show seams are far more likely to leak, which allows your home to get moisture damage. Only professionals are equipped to install seamless gutters. Additionally, seamless gutters are very long, which makes them very difficult to install for the DIY homeowner.  

2. It is much safer for you to use a professional to install rain gutters. It is not easy to work on a roof. Slips and falls can happen easily and quickly. If an accident does happen, a professional contractor has the insurance to cover his injuries.

3. Professional gutter installers are able to notice the little things during guttering installation that you may not notice. Having a professional do the installation also serves as a way to get a professional 'check-up' on the roof and fascia boards.

For more information on new gutters and installation, contact Custom Insulation in Worcester.

Excerpts SBWire

Home Insulation Gives Homeowners More Disposable Income in Boston and Worcester

9 May 2013

Homeowners are concerned about the future price for heating their homes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one of the most effective and immediate ways to stretch energy dollars is throughout weatherization. Insulating walls and attics, sealing drafty doors and windows, and repairing or replacing outdated or faulty heating equipment can save as much as 32% in home heating fuel consumption.

Making lasting energy-efficiency improvements to your homes gives you more resources for other essentials or extravagances. Adding home insulation can reduce annual energy bills by an average of $437.

The economic benefits of home insulation are substantial. Each well insulated home gives homeowners more disposable income, money they are not spending on heating or cooling their inefficient home. This is especially important for low-income households, which typically spend 14% or more of their income on energy.

Adding or replacing home insulation is a home improvement project that pays off. ROI is one of the biggest considerations in choosing a home improvement. The cost of adding attic insulation or wall insulation will pay for itself in decreased energy bills.

For more information on home insulation in Boston and Worcester, contact Custom Insulation.

Statistics - Seacoastonline. com

Copper Gutters for Green Building in Boston and Worcester

29 April 2013

If you are building a home or remodeling your existing home and are trying to make green construction choices, consider that the greenest choice for a gutter system is copper gutters. Why? Because copper is one of only a few materials that is fully sustainable.  Only 12% of the copper reserves have been mined and most of what has been mined is still in use. It is also estimated that 55% of all the copper used for architectural purposes today is recycled.

Copper is an incredibly durable building material, which makes it an excellent choice for parts of home construction that will be subject to excessive wear and tear. Your copper gutters will last at least 100 years. Once you install them on your home, you will never replace them. There is no other gutter system or gutter material that you can say this about. Although the price of copper gutters is more than aluminum, your aluminum gutters will not last nearly as long, and will incur far more maintenance and repair costs.

Copper gutters are virtually maintenance free. Although a copper gutter system will require the regular debris removal that all gutter systems occasionally need, copper gutters will not need to be repainted or replaced over their lifespan. With the natural properties of copper gutters that work as a fungicide and algaecide, they also naturally eliminate one of the biggest causes of clogged gutters: moss.
 
For more information on copper gutters for your Boston or Worcester area home, contact Custom Insulation.

Great News!

24 April 2013

Custom Insulation Co., Inc. is proud to be a member of the Northeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association and, by affiliation, with the nationally known HPBA.

The Northeast Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (NEHPBA) is a not-for-profit trade association, and is known throughout the Northeast for promoting Safety, Quality & National Fire Institution (NFI) Certification Training.

Custom Insulation Co., Inc. is always striving to bring our Quality & Service to the highest possible level. As part of our “Continuous Improvement” philosophy, we will be working with NEHPBA over the coming months to bring even greater value to you, our customer.

Copper Gutters Are the Best Choice - Worcester, Boston

22 April 2013

April showers bring May flowers. But in Boston and Worcester, it often rains more in May, so now is the time to replaces the gutters if needed. Consider copper gutters, so you will never have to think about gutter care or maintenance again. Even better, copper gutters are a green option, and they will increase the value of your home.

Better than any other type of gutters, copper gutters can stand up to whatever type of weather that comes your way.

With copper gutters you can add a value and a distinct style to your home that aluminum gutters just can’t provide. Copper is immediately noticeable and add unique visual appeal.

Copper gutters require less maintenance than aluminum gutters but they still protect homes from water damage, and they look great doing it.

Of course, copper gutters are more expensive than aluminum gutters, but there are no maintenance costs and they last a lifetime. Combined with the resale value they add to your home, you will surely make the additional expense up over time.

Every home needs a gutter system, copper gutters are the best choice. If you are looking for a beautiful gutter system to stand up to the elements, that lasts a lifetime, and is maintenance free, contact Custom Insulation.

The Right Insulation Saves Money All Year Long

17 April 2013

With a tight economy, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs. Heating and cooling costs can be the biggest expenditures in our homes by far. With summer approaching it is still time to think about upgrading the insulation in your home. Adding insulation, along with sealing air leaks, is one of the most cost-effective energy-saving home improvements you can make to an existing home. In fact, just doing this can cut heating and cooling costs by at least 15%, often more.

According to the department of commerce, there is a  basic rule of insulating that is the same for each and every home: "install insulation on any surface separating a heated space from an unheated space—attics, walls, basement walls, floors and crawl spaces".
 
Even if your home already has insulation in these areas, it can be very beneficial in saving on energy costs to add more insulation, especially adding attic insulation. Sealing air leaks around vents, chimneys, wires, and light fixtures should also be done when you add the additional insulation for the best results.

If you think that you are spending too much on energy costs, an energy assessment of your home can be done which should include an insulation inspection which will tell you how much insulation you have and how much more you need. The amount of insulation, which is measured in R-values, and the type of insulation that is best for your home, will vary for every home. The amount you need also depends on:

  • how much insulation your home currently has
  • the accessibility and space available for the insulation
  • the location of the home

The colder weather zones like Boston and Worcester call for higher R-values. For more information on adding insulation to your existing home, contact Custom Insulation.

Cut Home Heating Bills with the Right Insulation

10 April 2013

The average home in Boston and Worcester consumes almost 49% more energy than it did in 1990. Fortunately there are lots of ways to reduce your home energy bills. By conserving energy in your home you can save money, help conserve fuel resources, and promote a cleaner environment.

With the average home using this much more electricity and combined with the costs rising yearly, it is important to look at ways to cut home heating costs.

One of the best ways to save money is to ensure that your home has the right amount of insulation. If your roof or attic is not insulated properly you can  lose around 30% of the heat. Areas of heat loss in a home include: flue, roof, and ventilation, loss through walls, window and floor loss. Adding loft or attic insulation can reduce your heating bills by 20%.

Homes also lose heat through windows and walls. If double glazing is too expensive consider using film. It is also a good idea to make sure your water heater is insulated.

For more information on improving your home insulation, contact Custom Insulation.

Better Insulation, a Wood Burning Stove, or Both?

1 April 2013

Improving home insulation could be getting overlooked in favor of wood burning stoves. While the intent behind wood stoves is for greener living, when there is poor insulation, adding a wood burning stove to our home doesn’t necessarily mean we’re living greener or making our homes more energy efficient.

There has been a large increase in wood burning stove sales over the last 2 years. Wood burning stoves are fashionable and popular right now, for good reason. The cold winters, rising energy prices and the recession that is putting a strain on wallets, along with the desire for green living have all fueled demand for wood burning stoves.

However, it could be the case that better home insulation could make homes considerably warmer and reduce the need to for a new heat source. Without the right insulation in your home, even after a wood burning stove has been installed all that extra heat will be lost.

Insulation is about having a draft free, efficient home that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The right insulation helps you get the most benefit out of your home heating and cooling systems while hopefully reducing your energy bills.

Wood burning stoves are a great and attractive way to heat your home. They are a greener alternative and they use biofuel, all of these features make them attractive. However, without the right insulation in your home, you will still waste money and you still won’t be warm in the winter.

For more information on home insulation in Boston or Worcester, contact Custom Insulation.

Where to Insulate New Home Construction in Boston and Worcester

25 March 2013

In new construction, insulating your home properly saves you money on heating and cooling bills and improves the comfort of your home at the same time. You have several choices for insulation, what type you choose depends on your climate and how your home is constructed

Here are specifics on where to insulate your home in Boston and Worcester.
 
1. In unfinished attics, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below. As well as the attic access door

2. All exterior walls, including the walls between living spaces and unheated garages, or storage areas; foundation walls above ground level;  foundation walls in heated basements, and full interior or exterior walls. 

3. Floors above cold spaces, such as vented crawl spaces and garages. Also insulate any portion of the floor in a room that extends beyond the exterior wall below;  slab floors built directly on the ground;  as an alternative to floor insulation, foundation walls of unvented crawl spaces. Extend insulation into joist space to reduce air flows.

4. Band joists. An uninsulated band joist can account for a significant portion of a building's heat loss.

5. Replacement or storm windows and caulk and seal around all windows and doors.

For more information on insulation for new home construction, contact Custom Insulation.

Cellulose Insulation is Efficient and Economical

21 March 2013

If you are building a home or adding an addition, you have plenty of choices for insulation including, spray foam, batt, cellulose and blown-in. While all types of insulation works well, many feel as though cellulose is the best choice for old and new construction. Cellulose insulation gives you the most bang for your buck.

Cellulose insulation is exceptionally green-friendly, made from recycled newspapers. This makes it economical option.  But besides being economical and organic, recycled cellulose insulation out performs fiberglass insulation and is less expensive than spray-foam. Builders have been looking for a better solution to fiberglass insulation and cellulose is it. Why? Because when using cellulose insulation, the entire building envelope of your home is sealed.

Cellulose is cheaper than spray foam and is more effective than fiberglass insulation. Dense packed cellulose has an R-Value of 4.0 per inch and wicks moisture better than any other insulation. For  air infiltration and sound control, cellulose insulation is a better choice than fiberglass or spray foam.

For more information on wet spray cellulose insulation for your new construction or remodeling project in Worcester, contact Custom Insulation.

Insulation helps keep your house cool in the summer!