The real estate market in Raleigh is continuing to boom, with homes selling within a day and empty lots seemingly turning into homes by the week. As a new homeowner, whether buying a new-to-you home or building a new property, there are many questions to ask your home inspector prior to crossing the threshold to start making memories. One question that shouldn’t be overlooked: How well is my home insulated?

Insulation is integral to the foundation of the home. Without it, heat would slip through the walls and cracks leaving your home cold in the winter. During summer months the air conditioning inevitably passes through to the outside, leaving the interior close to the same temperature as the exterior— or worse, even warmer. Moreover, insulation acts as a sound barrier between rooms and levels of each home, keeping noises from carrying throughout the entire home, as well as a vapor barrier, protecting the interior from outside moisture.

To ensure your home is properly insulated, here are some things to ask your home inspector: 

What type of insulation is in the attic? Is this the right choice for my property?

Attic insulation can differ between batt/roll insulation and spray foam insulation. It should be fairly easy to check the type of insulation in your attic; simply open the door to the space, crawl inside (or peek your head in) and see if the material is fluffy, blanket-like indicating batt/roll insulation, or if it is attached to the walls with an expandable, glue-like texture indicating spray foam insulation. While batt or roll insulation is common in many homes, it may not be the best option for your property. When installed correctly, spray foam insulation has a lifetime warranty that the foam will never settle or lose it R-Value over time.  Because of its ability to seal even the smallest areas, spray foam is a highly sought after option for attics; however, it is best to check with your inspector or contractor for the best insulation materials in your home.

How well does the air conditioning keep the home cool? How well does the home stay heated?

Complete insulation of windows and doors is necessary to assist in regulating the temperature of the home. When you feel a draft inside, it’s often caused by air slipping through cracks in windows or passing through underneath the door where the weather strip goes. Air conditioning units and heaters will perpetually run if the home is not properly sealed, making your utility bills skyrocket in the middle of summers and winters.

Are the walls insulated?

Most homes nowadays will have properly insulated walls; however, that might not be the case when purchasing a home that was built decades ago. It wasn’t until 1965 that the U.S. implemented building codes, which required walls to be insulated. To evaluate an existing home for wall insulation, the inspector will likely check behind the outlet box located inside of the wall behind the outlet cover.

Do you recommend any home insulation improvements?

Adding or upgrading the existing home insulation is an investment in your property. Long term benefits include reducing your carbon footprint and lower utility bills, but the relief and comfort you’ll experience knowing your home and family are protected will be felt instantly. As a trusted professional about the overall health of your property’s insulation.

Whether building from scratch or buying an existing home, you should ask your contractor or inspector to check the state of the insulation on the house you’re looking to turn into a home. MPI Foam is available to help you through this journey. Give us a call at 844-674-3626 to schedule an estimate today.