What Is Retrofitting?
Have you heard “retrofit insulation” or “retrofitting with insulation”? If you have, you are most likely wondering what it means and we are here to tell you. So, what is retrofit insulation? Retrofitting a building or home with insulation is basically just re-insulating it.
New construction insulation normally is referring to the insulation that happens to be installed during the construction of a building or home. It is much easier and cost effective to insulate a building or home that is being built, but there are times that retrofit insulation is needed as insulation can settle over time. It could also be installed incorrectly, and if that is the case, then you will have to upgrade it later to be able to enjoy the benefits such as a more comfortable home year round and energy savings.
Existing Home Insulation
If you happen to be building a custom home, that is one thing that you will be most likely asked about. But if you happen to be moving into a home that was built before then 1970s, then there is a really good chance that it isn’t insulated or it doesn’t actually have enough insulation.
How can you tell if you need retrofit insulation?
You may need retrofit insulation if you notice that your energy bills have been really increasing, the temperatures in each room of your house aren’t uniform, and your home is drafty.
While these aren’t all of the signs that will indicate that you need to have your home reinsulated, they are the easiest ones to look for.
Materials that are used for retrofitting insulation
Retrofit insulation isn’t very different than new construction insulation when it comes to material types that can be used. You can use any type of material to upgrade your building’s or homes’ insulation:
- Radiant barrier insulation
- Foam insulation
- Fiberglass insulation
- Cellulose insulation
Radiant barrier insulation
The insulation type that you install will depend on various factors like the HVAC system that you have, type of attic, and much more. Sometimes, you will need to install 2 different types of insulation. For instance, radiant barrier insulation can be installed within the attic right under the floor, but for other areas of your home like the walls, it may need to have thermal insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose insulation. For the specifics about your situation, then you need to talk to a professional.
Retrofit Insulation: Superinsulation
What is superinsulation? This is an approach to building design and retrofitting that will really reduce heat loss and gain by using the right insulation amount and energy efficient air tight construction.
Just like always, it is best to talk to a professional. They will be able to help you to find out what type of insulation you should install, where it should be installed, and how much you will need. They will also be familiar with regulations and codes.
Do you need to re-insulate your home?
If you need to have retrofit insulation installed, or you just want to learn more about insulation for your existing home, then contact us today. We will be able to re-insulate your building or home as well as help you to begin saving money on your energy bills. Take our Barrier Challenge, which is a 5 point energy audit for your office of home. It is guaranteed to help save you money, and the planet at the same time! Insulation retrofitting will help your older home enjoy today’s insulation benefits, save you on utilities, and help you stay more comfortable all year long.