FAQs

Improperly installed insulation can cause you to spend too much money on heating/cooling costs or cause structural damage to the house due to humidity or moisture buildup. A professional has the right training, knows the codes, and will do the job right the first time. There are many Madison-area insulation companies from which a homeowner can choose.

Rockweiler Insulation takes a few measures to ensure you get what you paid for. In the attic, we install attic rulers that show the depth and R-value of the insulation throughout the attic. When we are finished, our technician 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. For all new construction projects we install an insulation compliance sticker by the electrical box in the basement that discloses the type, brand and R-Value of insulation as well as the date completed.

R-value measures the resistance to heat flow. It is also referred to as “thermal resistance” or a material’s ability to slow heat flow. The higher the R-value of a product, the greater that product’s insulating power. Materials that have the same R-value, regardless of thickness, weight, or appearance are equal in insulation value.

Retrofit insulation is when you upgrade or add insulation to your existing home.

Air sealing involves sealing cracks, crevices, gaps, and other areas that may be leaking air. Attic air sealing prevents airflow between a home’s living space and the attic, which helps keep heated and cooled air inside the home. During construction or remodeling, you may also consider air sealing top plates to reduce air transfer from conditioned living space to unconditioned attic space. We typically seal these areas with foam and/or caulk products.

– Fiberglass insulation: made from recycled glass. Available in loose fill or batts.
– Cellulose insulation: made from recycled paper and treated for fire resistance. Available in loose fill.
– Spray Foam insulation: insulates and seals air leaks in one step.

If you are heating your garage full time, you definitely want to insulate! Even if you aren’t heating your garage full time, there are still some benefits to insulating your garage. While it won’t affect the efficiency of the insulation in your house, the garage will feel more comfortable and keep the contents of your garage warmer than if the garage was not insulated. If you are drywalling the garage walls, it makes sense to insulate the walls prior to drywalling since it’s easier to insulate the wall cavities before a solid surface is installed. Learn more in our video about insulating a garage.

There are numerous benefits to having a properly insulated home, including lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. Read about more benefits on our Homeowners Page.

Yes, insulation is an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce sound. The best time to address sound control is during the construction process or a remodel project when the walls are opened up.

It depends. There are a number of factors that determine the length of time an insulating project will take: Is it a new or retrofit project? What is the size of the project and the scope of the work? Before every installation job, our sales team sits down with customers to explain the length of time needed for their project.

For a step-by-step breakdown of our insulation installation process and a “What to Expect” video, check out our Homeowners Page.

The best way to maximize the effectiveness and performance of your new home insulation is to ensure it’s installed correctly from the start by a trained professional.

If fiberglass insulation becomes wet, usually it will not lose any R-value if it is 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 whether you need to replace your insulation.

If your home already has fiberglass in the wall cavities there is no way to add additional insulation to the walls. If at some point you remodel and take the drywall off from the inside you can choose a different insulation process such as spray foam or blown-in-walls at that time. If the wall cavities are full it’s not necessary to retrofit the walls.

We follow all local facemask guidelines. Our technicians and salespeople have masks available and are happy to mask up at your request. We ask that if you or someone in the household tests positive for COVID to please call our office to reschedule your appointment or installation.

Once your attic is brought up to the current standards, you should not need to insulate your attic again unless one of the following events occurs:
– Another contractor does work in your attic and disturbs the insulation (e.g., installs a bath fan, etc.)
– Raccoons, squirrels, or other critters get in and cause damage
– Wind and/or water damage (e.g., storm with high winds or a tornado can possibly move insulation)

FOCUS on Energy offers some incentives for upgrading the insulation in your home. You may qualify for these incentives if you are a customer of a participating utility and meet a few other requirements. You can visit www.focusonenergy.com for more details.

Usually when we bring attic insulation up to today’s standards we can work around the existing insulation. This is less expensive for you and keeps unnecessary waste out of our landfills. If your insulation is damaged because of critter waste, smoke from a fire, or water then it will need to be removed. For more information, please watch our video about when to remove attic insulation.

Vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos which may be harmful to your health. While we are not licensed to remove vermiculite insulation we can refer you to contractors who handle this.

There is a lot more to upgrading the attic insulation than just “blowing some material” up there. According to ENERGY STAR, 60% of a home’s air leaks are in the attic. Stopping air flow helps reduce energy loss. It’s important to pay particular attention to sealing any gaps. Learn more in our video about adding insulation to an attic.

Preventing ice dams is a three-pronged attack consisting of air sealing, ventilation and insulation. Ice dams may be caused by heat loss in an attic, a poor roof design or because of the “perfect storm” of snow, melting and more snow. We work to help prevent ice dams, not remove them. If you get one, for your own safety be sure to have a professional remove it. Learn more in our video about reducing ice dams.

With a greater emphasis on air sealing and stopping air leaks, homes are “tighter” than they were in the past. This makes moisture management more important than ever before. Excessive moisture can cause problems in your home such as spots on the ceiling or moisture buildup on windows which can lead to rotting window framing, unpleasant odors and, in extreme cases, mold.
Make sure your bath fan is the correct size, is vented to the outside (i.e., does not vent the moisture into the attic space) and most importantly make sure you use the fan. An easy rule of thumb is to always run the fan while you are using the shower and for 30 minutes afterward. Contact your local handyman or electrician to install a timer to help ensure the use of the fan by the entire family. Learn more in our video about home ventilation.