Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Commercial Insulation for Your Building

Your business is important to you. You want it to be successful, to have employees you can depend on, and a building where you can get work done effectively. Consequently, it is important that your Maple Grove building meet all regulations for proper working conditions. One way to do this is with reliable commercial building insulation. After all, in many states the type of insulation used must meet a specific code of energy standard known as continuous insulation (ci).
The CI grade of commercial insulation is added as part of the building process to help prevent the steel thermal shorts that can minimize the energy efficiency of a building. It can be used in any type of construction, commercial or residential, but is a must for commercial properties. However, there are various types of CI ranging from the rigid foam insulation to spray foam to three-in-one products and systems. Failing to have the proper amount or type of commercial insulation can result in thermal bridging (aka thermal shorts) – when heat flows through the path of least resistance such as the surface of steel and wood stud framing.
Thermal bridging can be significantly minimized through the use of continuous insulation because it moves the dew point from a wall cavity to outside the cavity thus effectively reducing the potential for condensation to form inside the wall, which will minimize – if not eliminate – the risk of mold or mildew forming within the walls.
If you find yourself needing to decide what type of CI your commercial property needs, there are several considerations to be made. Here are a few:
  • Physical Properties – Some considerations include density or porosity, wear and tear resistance, abrasion, mechanical strength and how it performs at high temperatures.
  • Thermal Performance – Check out aspects such as the temperature limit, melting or fusion temperature, heat capacity or storage, and the resistance to thermal shock.
  • Chemical Considerations – If your facility will be using any type of chemicals, you need to know if there is any risk of reactions between the insulation chosen and those items.
  • Cost – We know every business has a budget, and we understand needing to keep the bottom line in sight. However, don’t just choose commercial insulation based on the price for the CI, installation, maintenance and repair or replacement potential. Choose CI based on what will be best for your company’s needs.
When it comes to starting a business, there are many decisions to be made: from the type of carpet to the style of architecture, and the paint colors to the type of building insulation. The number of decisions to be made can be overwhelming. However, once they are made, you will be glad you took the time to consider each aspect and determine what was needed.
So, as you determine your building’s insulation needs, be sure to contact the pros at Lewis Insulation. Contact Us today for commercial building insulation in Maple Grove and surrounding areas.



Friday, January 29, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiberglass Insulation



Fiberglass insulation for Eden Prairie homes is an excellent choice, especially for those who need good insulation that is also cost-effective and budget friendly. You might be wondering about this type of insulation and you might have a few questions about it. Here is a brief rundown of some of the questions we hear the most about it and our usual responses.

Q: What is fiberglass insulation and what it is made out of?

A: Fiberglass insulation can be used in houses or commercial buildings, and it is made out of very thin strands of glass. It has a very high area-to-weight ratio, and it is a man-made material that is great for buildings of all shapes, types and sizes. In the old days, fiberglass insulation could irritate people’s skin if it made contact with it, but nowadays that’s not the case. Also, fiberglass insulation is more eco-friendly than it used to be – many manufacturers are using recycled glass to make it.

Q: Why is the R-value of a type of insulation so important?

A: R-value means “resistance value.” It is what measures insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better insulator that material will be.

Q: What kinds of benefits does fiberglass insulation offer?

A: Fiberglass insulation will help make your home or commercial property feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. You will possibly see some savings on your heating and cooling bills, and it is also an effective way to help reduce noise pollution. Fiberglass insulation is non-combustible and non-absorbent.

Q: Where in my house or commercial property can I have fiberglass insulation installed?

A: You can have fiberglass insulation stalled just about anywhere other than in the basement. If you need insulation in your basement, we usually recommend closed cell spray foam insulation, which we also install.

Q: Why should I choose Lewis Insulation for fiberglass insulation installation instead of anyone else?

A: We are licensed, bonded and insured, but not only that – we also have decades of experience in the insulation industry. We offer free estimates so you know exactly how much to budget for. Plus, working with us is easy: we will never overcharge you for our services, there are no hidden fees or surprises and we will show up to do the work on time.

For more information on fiberglass insulation in Eden Prairie, call Lewis Insulation at at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us to set up a Free Estimate.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Foam Insulation: Common Misconceptions



Closed cell spray foam insulation is still a relatively new type of insulation, so there are some myths and misconceptions about it. Since we install this type of foam insulation in the Twin Cities area, we thought we would take the time to discuss some of these misconceptions and to set the record straight about a few things.

  • Closed cell foam insulation should only be installed by professionals. This is not a do it yourself project. Because of the chemicals used and the way they have to be mixed and applied to the walls, it takes a skilled and knowledgeable hand to do this. You should make sure the company you hire to install foam insulation has plenty of experience installing it. Lewis Insulation has been installing closed cell spray foam insulation for years.
  • Many people seem to think this type of insulation is too expensive to install in their homes, but this is also not necessarily true. It is affordable for most homeowners, and it works well in just about every type of home out there. It has a high R-value, which means it insulates very well. And that is great news for people who live in Minnesota!
  • There is a big difference between open cell spray foam insulation and closed cell spray foam insulation. Open cell has a lower R-value, and the way it is installed in your home is different too. It is soft and almost pillow-like. Closed cell is harder to the touch and has a high R-value.
  • Foam insulation does not hold in moisture. It will not lead to mold and mildew problems if your home is properly ventilated. We also offer attic ventilation services, so we can help with that too if you need it.
  • Foam insulation will not settle either, like other types of insulation. This type of insulation should last you for many years, and you might not ever have to worry about having it redone again. Your home will have to undergo the insulation process only one time and that will be it.

These are only a few of the misconceptions we hear about foam insulation. If you have any other questions about it, please don’t hesitate to call us and ask!
 
Do you want to learn more about foam insulation in the Twin Cities? Call us at Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Choosing the Best Home Insulation


Home insulation is incredibly important. It is what keeps your house toasty warm in the winter and comfortable and cool in the summer. And that is why it is so important to choose the best type of insulation for your home. We are home insulation experts in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, so we thought we would talk about the different types of insulation out there and their advantages.

Fiberglass is one of the most popular and well known types of home insulation out there. It is cost-effective and it comes in rolls that are ready-made for installation. Although this type of insulation looks like installing it could be a do it yourself project, we still recommend that you call in professionals like us to ensure it is properly installed so you and your family can enjoy all of its benefits.

Blown-in cellulose is yet another popular type of home insulation, and this is definitely a job that only professionals like the ones at Lewis Insulation should do! Cellulose is a very effective type of insulation thanks to its high R-value. And thanks to the fact that it is made out of recycled newspaper, it is eco-friendly, which is good news to those who are looking to reduce the impact they make on the planet. Blown-in cellulose is excellent for hard to reach areas of your attic and other crawl spaces.

Closed cell spray foam home insulation is yet another well known and popular type of home insulation. It can add to the structural integrity of your home. And like the other two we have mentioned, closed cell spray foam insulation is best installed by experts who know what they are doing. This home insulation is great for smaller gaps in your home, and it can be installed in weather as cool as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you call us to learn more about the home insulation we offer, we will can meet with you and learn more about your home, your wants and needs and your budget to determine the best type of insulation for you. We will then put you on our schedule as soon as possible so you will not have to wait for your new home insulation for too long!

If you would like more information on home insulation in Minneapolis, call us at Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612, or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Attic Insulation Benefits



Proper insulation is one of the best ways to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible. It helps keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which is especially important in a climate like the one here in Minnesota! We install attic insulation in St Paul, and we have a few things to keep in mind about attic insulation and why it is so important.

Attic insulation can help keep your roof from leaking. It will help keep your roof at a uniform temperature, which can keep ice dams from forming in your gutters. However, if you use your attic solely as a storage space, the only part of it you should worry about insulating is the attic floor. This will help keep the warm air where it should be – down in your home’s living area. (The same goes for cool air during the summer time!) But if your attic is also used as living space, it should be insulated like the rest of your home.

Do some homework and find out when the last time you had attic insulation installed in your home. If it has been more than just a few years, you should call a company like Lewis Insulation to find out more about having us out there to install new insulation. Over the years, insulation can compress and that can make it less effective.

When you hire us to install your new attic insulation, we will make sure your attic still has the proper amount of ventilation. This is also a great way to make sure your roof does not leak and everything continues to work as it should.

When you are in your attic, make sure you do not walk on your attic insulation unless it is completely unavoidable. You should also avoid putting any boxes on it. Making sure you don’t do these two things can help extend the life and effectiveness of your attic insulation.

When you have questions about attic insulation, it’s a good idea to come to a reputable company like ours. We can answer all of your questions about insulation and ensure the type of attic insulation that is installed in your home is the best type for your home and your family’s needs.

Do you need attic insulation in St Paul? Call Lewis Insulation at 763-477-2612 or you can get a Free Estimate.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Welcome to Lewis Insulation's New Blog

Lewis Insulation specializes in installing fiberglass, spray foam and cellulose insulation in homes around the Twin Cities. If you're building a new home, installing insulation from the beginning is a good way to help with your utility bills and reduce sound. The same applies for those thinking about replacing the insulation in their home. You could enjoy lower utility bills, as well as improve indoor air quality. We provide other services such as ventilation, ice dam removal and more.
Please check back often. We'll be updating this blog with new information about our business and products. We hope you'll find our posts fun and informational.
If you need to update your insulation, contact us today by calling 763-477-2612 or Contact us Here.