Insulation is an excellent, affordable way to save energy. As homeowners and businesses are constantly on the lookout for ways to save energy, having an insulation expert on your team is a definite plus. An insulation expert can specialize in home insulation or industrial insulation. Energy-efficient buildings, whether residential or commercial, can improve the lifestyles of consumers by saving money, decreasing the demand for fossil fuels and reducing environmental emissions. As heating and cooling costs continue to rise, homeowners and businesses are looking for affordable solutions. Have an insulation expert available to offer these solutions.

Most insulation workers learn their trade through on-the-job training. Completing a formal or accredited apprenticeship program, however, can add credibility or value to the job description. Insulation education and training is not difficult to achieve and can be highly profitable. Everyone wants to know that they are dealing with an expert. Consider the following:

1. An insulation expert can educate clients to the various types of insulation available and advise them accordingly.

2. An insulation expert can supervise insulation workers to ensure that insulation installation meets energy codes.

3. An insulation expert can work deals with insulation manufacturers, saving you time and money.

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Learn residential and commercial energy codes to determine what types of insulation would meet each

Energy codes maximize energy efficiency. You can apply different types of insulation (fiberglass insulation, spray foam insulation or foil insulation) to construction projects to meet various codes. Knowing which type of insulation to use for which project is important for the successful construction of energy-efficient and cost-effective buildings.

I recommend: U. S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program educates on national model energy codes. International Code Council offers certification and testing in a number of areas, including construction trade licensing.

Locate an accredited organization or school for insulation training

There are a number of organizations or schools that offer training programs in insulation know-how. Register with one of these programs to become a professional in your field.

I recommend: Professional Home Inspection Institute offers a course that will teach you how to identify insulation defects and well as instruct you on ways to solve insulation problems. National Insulation Association offers training and certification in insulation energy appraisals. American Society of Home Inspectors offers a comprehensive training system for insulation and interiors.

Locate suppliers of industrial insulation to find applicable training courses

Some insulation suppliers offer instruction with the purchase of their product. Take advantage of these offers to expand your learning experience.

I recommend: Corbond Corporation, a leader in the spray foam insulation business, offers professional training on the installation of its product. Johns Mansville, of NAIMA (North American Insulation Manufacturers Association) and Health and Safety Partnership (a leading manufacturer and marketer of insulation products) offer insulation training dealing with the safe handling of fiberglass insulation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be on the lookout for special workshops and training in attic insulation and basement insulation for an added bonus to your expertise.

Insulation comes in a variety of forms to accommodate different types of construction jobs. Most construction companies offer at least two different kinds of insulation to their customers. Whether your construction company specializes in residential or commercial buildings, there is an insulation that is right for each of your company's projects.

There are four basic types of insulation, including fiberglass insulation, spray foam insulation, foil insulation and recycled paper insulation. Fiberglass insulation is the most common requested insulation in buildings. Fiberglass insulation is available in sheets or spray in loose fill insulation. Spray foam insulation reduces sound and seals gaps or small crevices in buildings. Foil insulation is used to create more energy efficient buildings. Recycled paper insulation is mostly used as home insulation in environmentally conscience houses. All of these types of insulation are used in both residential and commercial buildings.

1. Look for construction insulation to fit a variety of jobs.

2. Find suppliers of industrial insulation for high quantity needs.

3. Review your options for attic insulation.

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Find fiberglass insulation in sheets or loose fill

Fiberglass insulation provides quality insulation that is installed through two different methods. Fiber glass insulation is easy to install in rolls and sheets, neither of which require special equipment, or in loose form.

I recommend: Find a variety of loose fill fiberglass products from which to choose at Roofing & Insulation Supply. Get rolls or sheets of fiberglass insulation from The EJ Davis Company. The Owens Corning Insulation Company has a wide variety of all types of fiberglass insulation.

Find spray foam insulation and supplies requiring special installation equipment

Spray foam insulation provides the contractor with quick installation and reduction of sound for the home or building. Spray foam does require specialized equipment for installation.

I recommend: Purchase spray foam insulation equipment and supplies at Better Foam Machine. Find open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation at Ure Tec.

Get foil insulation for energy efficient buildings

Foil insulation reduces the amount of heat lost in the winter and reflects radiant heat in the summer. Foil insulation is available in sheets and rolls.

I recommend: Get regular and vapor barrier foil insulation from Energy Efficient Solutions. Innovative Insulation, Inc. has a variety of foil insulation for buildings and plumbing.

Find environmentally friendly insulation

Recycled paper insulation is a greener solution for environmentally conscious clients. This type of insulation does require equipment to install. Recycled paper insulation poses fewer hazards than most other types of insulation.

I recommend: Find supplies and equipment for the installation of recycled paper insulation at Excel Fiber. Browse recycled paper insulation products available at US GreenFiber, LLC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider the skills and experience of your employees before deciding on what insulation to offer. Those who are more experienced can handle the greater demand of using specialized equipment for installation of the insulation.
• •  Evaluate the percentage of clients who prefer spray foam or recycled paper insulation to make sure your purchase of the equipment is worth the investment and to see how quickly you could recoup your costs.

Insulation is an important aspect of any building, providing noise and thermal reinforcement. Using the proper insulation in an establishment, be it residential or commercial, is known to save money with respect to energy resources and create a more comfortable environment through uniform temperatures.

Learning popular key terms related to the insulation industry is advantageous for those involved in the trade, as well as those who are in need of insulation.

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Cavity

Insulation batts are properly positioned in the empty spaces, or cavities, which exist between the studs and joints of a structure. It is believed that such insulation can lower one's heating bills, lower the wear and tear of a structure's boiler and reduce some effects of global warming.

I recommend: Cavity-Insulation-Grants.com discusses what cavities are, as well as the benefits and options with respect to cavity insulation.

R-values

R-values measure an insulation material's transfer of heat. When the R-values are higher, it means the material has an increased ability to resist the flow of heat as it travels through the insulating material.

I recommend: The resistance of heat flow—or the R-value—of insulation is discussed in detail at EnergySavers.gov.

Insulation density

The insulation density of a product has a direct effect on its insulating power and insulating capabilities for a building. The higher the insulation density, the greater insulating power and R-value the material will have.

I recommend: The densities of various insulation materials, including fiberglass insulation and mineral wool insulation, are discussed at DoItYourself.com.

Apparent thermal conductivity

Insulation materials are assigned values that clarify the materials' transmission of heat. This is known as the apparent thermal conductivity of the insulation.

I recommend: The measurement of a material's apparent thermal conductivity is explored at RDServices.com.

Octave band

A frequency range, with respect to sound, is assigned to insulation materials. The highest frequency assigned to the band is double what the lowest frequency of the band is calculated to be.

I recommend: An analysis of octave bands, including calculations for determining a material's octave bands, is explored at Menlh.Go.Id.

Vapor retarder

Insulation materials are aided in their control of moisture through vapor retarders. Vapor retarders help to decrease the moisture that passes through insulation materials and may collect on the inside of a building's walls, ceilings and floors.

I recommend: Vapor retarders, their location and their capabilities are discussed at RehabAdvisor. Meanwhile, frequently asked questions with respect to vapor retarders including "what is a vapor retarder?" and "what is the purpose of a vapor retarder?" is explored at Insulate.org.

If you are building a new business or home, you should be familiar with types of insulation. Suppliers of industrial insulation have different “r” values that provide different levels of insulation. The type of building can affect the insulation you choose as well.

Metal building insulation options may be different than those you might choose for garage insulation. Each of these types may have different safety precautions to use. As you look at installing insulation, you must keep insulation safety at the forefront of all your plans. You should:

1. Read all you can about installation techniques for the type of insulation you choose.

2. Read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on the specific type of insulation you choose. It should contain insulation safety measures specific to the product you use.

3. Wear the appropriate work clothing including hard hats, safety glasses and gloves as you install the insulation.

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Find insulation safety information

If you are doing simple repairs to your home or garage shop, read and understand the basics of insulation installation before you begin the project. This information should not only give you guidelines on picking the right insulation for your needs, it should also include information on how to install the insulation safely.

I recommend: Look at the information at Green Living Ideas to find ideas about the long-term safety of fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulation products. This can help you choose which type of insulation offers you more safety in the long run. DoItYourself.com has a list of basic home insulation safety tips to follow as you install or replace building insulation.

Determine if fiberglass is the safest insulation for your job

Read the MSDS on the various brands of fiberglass insulation on the market. As you read the MSDS, you can decide if a type of insulation is one you are comfortable working with, and whether it's the right choice for your insulation needs.

I recommend: The North American Insulation Manufacturering Association has information about fiberglass attic insulation and the safety of the product. Read the MSDS on fiberglass industrial insulation at Einsulation.com. This MSDS contains information about what to do in certain situations as you handle fiberglass insulation.

Look at foam insulation options

Foam insulation doesn't pose the threat of tiny shreds of glass as fiberglass insulation does, but it has its own set of safety precautions. In a liquid state, foam can be highly flammable.

I recommend: Leaders in the spray foam insulation business, Bayer MaterialScience, offer information regarding long-term safety studies on foam insulation. Be sure to download the extensive library of construction insulation safety information available on its website. Read the information from Firestone Building Products for safe handling of foil insulation and foil-covered foam insulation.