Insulation needs to be done right the first time. Poor installation, low-quality materials, and a general lack of detail will affect your home’s performance and comfort for decades. Unfortunately, some insulation contractors in Chicagoland rush jobs for the sake of profit. They know that most homeowners won’t know the difference once the insulation is tucked away into walls, crawlspaces, and attic rafters anyway.
To avoid this, you have to ask the right questions when searching for an insulation company near you. By carefully vetting contractors, you can ensure they’re focused on bettering your home’s performance, not just doing the bare minimum. Here are three important things to ask.
Do you build to code or performance?
There are two ways for contractors to look at insulation: prescriptive-based or performance-based. You want to hire someone who does the latter. With the prescriptive approach, insulation installers only care about the codes. If “the book” calls for X amount of insulation in one area of the home, that’s what they add. The problem with this is that it doesn’t reflect the true performance of a home; only how it’s expected to perform. Many times, homeowners who have this type of work done end up experiencing problems down the line, such as:
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- High energy bills from wasted heating and cooling.
- More frequent repairs and maintenance from an overworked HVAC system.
- General discomfort from inconsistent temperatures.
- Poor humidity and moisture control, leading to mold.
Professional insulation contractors take a performance-based approach that’s backed by building science. In other words, they take their work a step further. While they do add insulation to still meet codes, they also test the home’s performance afterwards to ensure the work they did is actually working. When they leave your home, they’re 100% certain your new insulation will enhance your family’s comfort.
Do you test your results?
Testing is an important part of the performance approach, so you want to confirm that your insulation contractor takes this step. Testing eliminates assumptions, and it confirms that the insulation they add actually improves your home’s comfort, performance, and energy efficiency. Without this step, you and your insulation contractor in Naperville are just guessing.
Ask the contractor you’re hiring what their tests entail. You might hear things like “blower door tests” and “thermal imaging.” Blower doors measure the overall air tightness of the home. This is essential when spray foam insulation is added for air sealing purposes. Thermal imaging uses infrared cameras to check for hot or cold spots in the insulation, helping to determine if more complete coverage is needed.
Are you a local, family-owned business with tenured crews?
There’s a big difference between a corporate, private-equity company and a local, family-owned one. Larger insulation companies focus on completing as many jobs as possible to maximize profit, usually by rushing and overlooking details. They might offer the lowest prices, but the quality of their work generally reflects that.
With a local, independent company, you’re getting service from other community members who care about your family’s well-being. They take care of their employees, and as such, retain veteran insulation contractors with decades of experience. When they show up at your home to complete insulation work, you can feel confident you’re getting the best service possible.
How ARC Insulation Stacks Up
Since 1993, our team at ARC Insulation has been trusted as one of the best insulation companies in Chicagoland. We are proud to be a family-owned company with a team of tenured crew members, many of whom have been with us for over 10 years.
We set ourselves apart from other contractors as BPI-certified building-science experts. Our insulation work is performance-based and we thoroughly test our installations to ensure your family enjoys the highest level of comfort. If you’ve been lost on how to choose an insulation contractor for your home, look no further.
