Reasons to Insulate Basements

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A cozy home is a wonderful thing during the cold New England winters and the sweltering summer. A cozy home begins in the basement.

Basements can account for about 25 percent of a home’s total heat loss. The large, uninsulated surface area below ground level can allow significant air leakage. An insulated basement plays a vital role in a home’s insulation system– keeping cool air in during the summer and keep a home warmer during the cooler months. 

A properly insulated basement boosts comfort, cuts energy bills, and reduces drafts.

Basement insulation has other benefits, including:

  • Safeguarding home’s structural integrity by preventing moisture damage
  • Protecting exposed pipes and HVAC systems from extreme temperature swings causing them to burst or breakdown
  • Filling-in openings to keep mice and other rodents from entering the home
  • Delivering noise control to dampen the sounds from a mechanical or utility room

Common basement insulation options include:

  • Fiber glass insulation
  • Foam board, or rigid board insulation
  • Sprayfoam insulation

Each type of insulation has its strengths when installed properly. Choosing the best way to insulate will depend on the design of basement and how the basement is used. 

Contact us! We’ll come to you to inspect the issues in your basement, discuss your goals on its use, and provide the best possible insulation solution for your budget.

 

 

 

Some Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Insulation

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Greenstamp is best known for spray foam insulation, but as building envelope and insulation specialists, we know the pros and cons of all types of insulation.

Fiberglass insulation is a popular option for insulating homes. It’s affordable and relatively quick and easy to install. Three key benefits of fiberglass insulation include:

  • Energy Efficient: Helps reduce heating and cooling costs by 40%-50%, but if not installed by a professional, it can lose effectiveness over time
  • Fire Retardant: Poses little to no fire hazard as it is made from recycled glass and sand
  • Noise Dampening: Reduces noise due to it’s a natural sound-dampening properties

Fiberglass insulation also has its downsides, especially if it’s not installed by a professional. Some cons include:

  • Coverage: Standard, pre-cut pieces, or batts, can be difficult to install, especially in oddly-shaped, small, and hard-to-access areas
  • Air Tightness: Often, another type of insulation, like spray foam, is needed to make fiberglass more effective against air leaks
  • Moisture & Mold: Unless a moisture barrier is installed, such as spray foam insulation, fiberglass material can absorb and hold moisture which could lead to mold and mildew problems

The Greenstamp team is happy to discuss your insulation needs to give you the best options for your project and budget. Contact us.

Sprayfoam Insulation – Vapor Barrier

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Don’t let this happen to you!

A homeowner’s floor above a crawl space was left uninsulated by the original contractor. Over time, the lack of a vapor barrier caused the floor to rot out. The Greenstamp team was called by their new contractor to repair and install the missing insulation and vapor barrier and solve the problem once and for all. 

Stricter HERS Ratings Requirements for 2024

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New Homes In Massachusetts Need to Be More Energy Efficient

The HERS Rating System is a home energy performance measurement. The rating score provides builders and homeowners an idea of how well a home ranks in terms of energy use and comfort. The lower the score the better.

For new residential projects, the HERS Rating score has been progressively declining.

Starting January 1, 2023, and effective through June 30, 2024, the maximum HERS Index for new home will go down from the current 55 to a 52. Then, beginning July 1, 2024, the maximum HERS Index score  will drop to a HERS 42.

This significant drop means builders and subcontractors with new projects could be at risk. Adjustments to the project to meet the new HERS 42 requirement could include the need to replace equipment or cause delayed closings.

There are several factors that will help to make a home more energy efficient. In our expert opinion, spray foam insulation can play a big part.

Here are some benefits of spray foam insulation:

  • Effective at sealing small holes, seams and cracks, creating a vapor barrier
  • Versatile material can be installed in any home, in any space
  • Easier to apply in hard to seal places than fiberglass

The bottom line is spray foam insulation will help achieve a lower HERS score. Contact us to speak with one of our experts.

 

Concord Estate for Sale

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The Greenstamp team insulated this 25,537 square feet estate in Concord, MA. It’s now on the market for over $23 million! The new owners will enjoy enhanced comfort and privacy in their own private 5-star resort thanks to the spray foam insulation installed throughout.

 

Residential Three-Season Room Gets Insulated

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In recent a residential insulation project on Cape Cod, we insulated this three-season room with living space above.  No more cold feet in the winter! 
 
Do you have a crawlspace or screened-in area with living space above it? If yes, this could be the solution to your comfort problems. 
 
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Assisted Living Facility Sprinklers Are Protected from Freezing

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An Assisted Living Facility, just outside of Boston contracted with Green Stamp to insulate around their sprinkler pipes. The insulation will help prevent the pipes from freezing and breaking.

The New England cold is fast approaching. Call us BEFORE the frigid winter causes problems for your property.

 

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Green Stamp Insulates the Spire Center in Plymouth, MA

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The Spire Center is dedicated to performing arts and educational programs which support the vibrant arts community in the greater MA South Shore region. We’re proud to have been selected to install insulation during its renovation. 

If you have a renovation project that requires updating and upgrading the insulation, contact us! 

 

Middleton MA Residential Basement Gets Insulated and More

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The basement of a home in northern MA was insulated by the Green Stamp team! The installers sprayed foam insulation along the exterior walls to create an air and vapor barrier for energy efficient heating and cooling. Sound attenuation insulation was installed through out the mechanical/utility room to deliver noise control in the  stud wall cavities of the interior room partitions. The exposed foam in the utility room was coated with a flame control intumescent coating for added fire-prevention. This job is an example of a complete basement insulation installation.

If your basement is noisy, damp and too hot or cold, contact us! We’ll come to you to inspect the issues in your basement and provide the best possible insulation solution for your budget.

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Outsultation Project

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Outsulation? Yes! As the name suggests, outsulation systems installs insulation on the outside the building. Outsulation is one of the most effective solution for meeting today’s energy code requirements for continuous insulation (CI).

Outsulation offers:

  • Moisture drainage for incidental moisture
  • Air and water-resistive barrier membrane
  • Anti-crack, impact resistant scrim
  • Durable and seamless finish veneer that provides a range of aesthetically appealing results.

Contact us for more information and to see if outsulation is right for your residential or commercial property.