Frequently Asked Questions

Why hire an insulation professional?
How do I know I got what I paid for?
Can insulation help reduce unwanted sound?
What is an R-Value?
What is Formaldehyde-Free insulation?
What is the difference between Fiberglass insulation & cellulose insulation?
Do I need to replace my building insulation if it becomes wet?
How does your team deal with lead-based paint?

Why hire an insulation professional?

Improperly installed insulation can cause you to spend too much money on heating/cooling costs OR can even cause structural damage to the house due to humidity or moisture build-up. A professional has the right training, knows the codes, and will do the job right the first time.

How do I know I got what I paid for?

Rockweiler Insulation takes a few measures to ensure you got what you paid for. In the attic we install attic rulers which show the depth and R-value of the insulation throughout the attic. When we are finished, our installer fills out an attic card that shows the R-value installed, the number of bags used, the square footage, and then signs and dates the card. That card is then stapled right by the scuttle access to the attic.

Another great way to ensure you got a quality insulation job is to do testing. A "blower-door" test or use of a thermography camera are 2 ways to make sure the insulation was installed correctly. Rockweiler currently does not offer these tests, but we can refer you to an energy consultant who can help you.

Can insulation help reduce unwanted sound?

Yes, insulation is an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce sound. It is most effective when installed during the building process (before drywall is up), but there are circumstances where we are able to drill into an existing wall or floor and blow insulation to reduce sound.

What is an R-Value?

R-Value measures the resistance to heat flow. It is also referred to as "thermal resistance", or a material's ability to retard heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the greater the insulating power. Materials which have the same R-Value, regardless of thickness, weight, or appearance, are equal in insulation value.

What is Formaldehyde-Free insulation?

Formaldehyde-Free insulation is a fiberglass insulation that uses a different "binder", or glue, to hold the glass fibers together. The binders allow a manufacturer to shape the insulation products they produce and give those products the strength and recovery required to fill a wall cavity. The recovery of insulation is key since there is such high compression used to package the products in the factory. Tests have shown that Formaldehyde-Free insulation has problems with recovery and tensile strength. Further tests have been done by state and federal agencies on formaldehyde emissions of many construction materials and other items in the typical home. In all cases the conclusion was that the emission rate from fiberglass insulation did not significantly affect the indoor air quality of the home. Rockweiler Insulation uses regular fiberglass insulation because we believe the quality of the insulation product is compromised as a formaldehyde-free product.

What is the difference between Fiberglass insulation & cellulose insulation?

There are three major differences between fiberglass and cellulose insulation.

Fire Resistance

- Fiberglass is made mostly of inorganic materials and therefore is naturally non-combustible and has a low flame spread rating. It will maintain its fire resistance over its lifetime. On the other hand, cellulose is made up of newspaper, which is organic and naturally flammable. Therefore, approximately 20% of the finished cellulose product is comprised of fire retardant chemicals (80% newspaper/20% fire retardant chemicals). These fire retardant chemicals may not be applied consistently and may deteriorate over time. Smoldering and re-kindling of fires have been reported with this product.

Moisture Absorption

- Fiberglass is installed dry and does not retain moisture. Cellulose is often installed damp and needs to fully dry after installation. Even after drying, cellulose can absorb moisture, which can lower the R-value of the product and may promote fungal growth.

Settling

- Fiberglass has nearly no settling (1-3%). Therefore, the R-value is stable over time. Cellulose can settle or shrink causing the R-value to deteriorate over time.

Both blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation perform well to insulate your home, however, regardless of which insulation you choose the performance of the product largely depends on the quality of workmanship.

Do I need to replace my building insulation if it becomes wet?

If Fiberglass insulation becomes wet, usually it will not lose any R-Value if it able to completely dry out. Cellulose insulation usually needs to be replaced once it becomes wet. Always check with a professional if you are unsure if you need to replace your insulation. Most often Rockweiler will be able to come out and evaluate for you if the insulation is safe to dry out or needs to be replaced.

How does your team deal with lead-based paint?

As of April 22, 2010, new rules go into effect regarding work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978. Until 1978 many paints contained lead. Ordinary renovation and maintenance activities in buildings built before 1978 can create dust that contains lead. Lead paint dust can be dangerous, and it doesn't take a lot of dust to cause harm to children and adults. Children who ingest even small amounts of lead dust can develop brain damage, behavior or learning problems, and have a high probability of delinquency. Adults who inhale dust from lead-based paint can have a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.

Contractors are required to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. These work practices protect residents from the dust that may contain lead by:

containing work areas (to limit any potential exposure to residents)
minimizing the dust
leaving the work area clean

Rockweiler Insulation and its employees are certified by the State of Wisconsin to perform these lead-safe work practices. When you decide to have sidewall work done and your home was built prior to 1978, we will provide you with a pamphlet (Renovate Right) that explains basic facts about lead and lead safety. When these procedures are followed, you can be confident that your health is not at risk.

For more information on this topic, please visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead or www.epa.gov/lead.