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Why Indoor Air Quality Matters and How to Improve It

For years, fiberglass batt insulation was the only way to insulate walls. Today’s construction technology has many other options!

The excitement of building a new home often focuses on choosing countertops and paint colors, but there’s something equally important you can’t see: your indoor air quality (IAQ). With Americans spending approximately 90% of their time indoors, the quality of our indoor environment has never been more crucial for our health and well-being. Let’s explore why IAQ matters and how to create a healthy indoor environment in the home you’re building from day one.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in New Construction

The health effects of poor indoor air quality can be significant, contributing to allergies, asthma, and respiratory diseases. Maryland’s climate, with its characteristic humidity and seasonal allergens, can intensify these issues. For families with older adults, young children, or members with existing health conditions, maintaining good IAQ becomes even more critical, as these groups are particularly vulnerable to indoor air pollution.

That “new home smell” many people love? Unfortunately, it’s often a sign of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being released from building materials and finishes. These chemicals can have both short term and long-term health impacts that might not be immediately apparent.

Many manufacturers are working to eliminate harmful chemicals from their products. For example, fiberglass insulation was often made with asbestos or formaldehyde in years past but is now manufactured without either harmful chemical. Other insulations, such as cellulose insulation, are made from eco-friendly products like recycled paper and treated with boric acid, a common chemical found in many eye drops.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants in New Homes

Understanding where pollutants indoors come from is crucial for prevention. Building materials like paints, adhesives, and composite wood products can release harmful chemicals into your indoor environment. Improperly installed HVAC systems may also circulate both indoor and outdoor air pollutants throughout your home project.

Another significant concern is carbon monoxide from combustion appliances, which requires proper ventilation to maintain safe indoor and outdoor air exchange. Additionally, Maryland homes face potential exposure to radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can affect outdoor air quality and seep into homes through foundation cracks.

Strategies for Building a Healthy Home

Material Selection

Start with choosing low-VOC paints, adhesives, and flooring materials. When selecting insulation, consider options like cellulose insulation, which offers excellent performance without harmful chemical binders. Natural materials generally contribute to better indoor air quality.

Proper Ventilation

Improving ventilation is also essential for maintaining healthy indoor air. Install an effective ventilation system that includes heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) to efficiently exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Pay special attention to moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens to prevent mold growth.

Air Sealing and Insulation

Create a tight building envelope through proper air sealing, preventing unwanted air infiltration while controlling moisture. Quality insulation plays a crucial role in this process, with options like spray foam providing excellent air-sealing properties.

HVAC System Design and Installation

Work with qualified contractors to design and install an HVAC system that provides adequate filtration and ventilation. Consider using high-efficiency filters to remove smaller particles.

Moisture Control

Implement proper drainage and vapor barriers during construction to prevent future moisture problems that could lead to mold growth.

Radon Mitigation

If radon is a concern in your area, it’s important to incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques and consider installing a radon mitigation system to ensure you build a radon-resistant home.

Beyond Construction: Maintaining Healthy Indoor Air

Post-construction cleanup is crucial for removing construction dust and debris. Encourage future homeowners to establish a regular maintenance schedule for their HVAC system, including filter replacements, to ensure clean and efficient airflow. Practice source control by using low-VOC cleaning products and maintaining appropriate humidity levels to discourage mold and dust mites.

Harvard University’s Chan School of Public Health, frequently discusses how the quality of our indoor environment significantly impacts our daily health and well-being. They offer up some valuable tips on how to create a healthier home now and for the future.

Your Partner in Creating Healthy Homes

Building a new home presents a unique opportunity to create a healthy living environment from the ground up. By prioritizing indoor air quality during construction, you give future homeowners the ability to maintain it afterward and invest in their family’s health and comfort for years to come.

Consult with a qualified builder or IAQ specialist who understands the importance of improving indoor air quality. For more information about matters and how to improve your home building project’s air quality, visit the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality website. A future family’s health is worth the investment in proper planning and implementation of these crucial IAQ strategies.

At DeVere Insulation, we’re committed to creating safe, energy efficient homes for Baltimore families with the highest quality products and services. Contact us today to learn more about how insulation can improve your new home project’s indoor air quality and help create a healthy home environment.

Why You Should Choose the Blown-In Wall System for Your Baltimore Home

For years, fiberglass batt insulation was the only way to insulate walls. Today’s construction technology has many other options!

In Baltimore, MD, where our summers are sweltering and our winters are frigid, energy efficiency is crucial for homeowners. Traditional insulation materials like fiberglass batts often leave gaps, leading to air leaks and high energy bills. Blown-in wall insulation offers a superior, eco-friendly solution that’s revolutionizing how local residents are insulating their homes. Let’s explore the benefits of blown-in insulation and why it’s an excellent choice for your Baltimore home.

Superior Energy Efficiency

Blown-in insulation, namely loose fill fiberglass insulation, achieves high R-values and can fully fill cavities, removing any voids. This creates a more effective thermal barrier against Baltimore’s extreme temperatures than batt insulation. Dense-packed blown insulation significantly reduces air infiltration, preventing drafts and heat loss during Baltimore’s blustery winters.

The result? Lower energy bills and a more comfortable living space year-round. By choosing to insulate your home with blown-in insulation, you’re making an energy efficient choice that benefits both your wallet and the environment.

Enhanced Comfort and Soundproofing

This type of insulation provides consistent coverage, eliminating hot and cold spots throughout your home. The dense packing also offers excellent soundproofing, reducing noise pollution from busy Baltimore streets and neighboring homes.

Cost-Effective and Long-Lasting

While spray foam insulation is effective, blown-in insulation offers similar benefits at a more affordable price point. This cost-effective solution doesn’t settle over time, maintaining its R-value and efficiency for years to come. This means your initial investment in installed blown-in insulation pays off through lower energy bills and increased home value.

Ideal for Baltimore Homes

Blown-in insulation is perfect for new homes as well as new additions to existing Baltimore homes. Insulation can be added to open wall cavities with ease. Certain types of blown-in insulation also offer moisture resistance, crucial in our humid climate, for helping to protect against mold and mildew growth.

Plus, the dense packing of blown-in insulation can help deter pests from nesting in wall cavities—a common issue in many older Baltimore homes.

Types and Installation

One of the most common types of blown-in insulation is loose fill fiberglass insulation. It is a popular choice for both homeowners and builders thanks to its excellent thermal performance and fire resistance.

Its installation process is straightforward:

A fabric mesh is installed across the open wall cavity.
Loose-fill insulation is blown behind the mesh, filling all voids.
The penetrations in the mesh are sealed to hold the insulation in place.

This method ensures a seamless, thermally efficient blanket of insulation for your Baltimore home. And to take energy efficiency one step further, consider air sealing each wall cavity before installing the blown-in insulation.

Maximize Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with DeVere

Blown-in wall insulation offers an ideal solution for local Baltimore homeowners, providing enhanced energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings. Its seamless coverage, affordability, and long-lasting performance make it the perfect choice for both new construction and additions to your current home.

When it comes to choosing the right insulation contractor for your Baltimore home, trust the experts at DeVere Insulation. With years of experience and a commitment to quality, we’ll ensure your home is properly insulated for maximum energy efficiency and comfort. Contact us today for a free estimate.

How Baltimore Builders Can Decrease Homeowner Callbacks and Boost Reputation

In Baltimore’s charming neighborhoods filled with historic row houses, homeowners expect both character and comfort…

In Baltimore’s charming neighborhoods filled with historic row houses, homeowners expect both character and comfort. Yet even the most beautiful home can become a source of frustration if it’s drafty, unevenly heated, or wastes energy. For builders, these comfort issues lead to dreaded callbacks—a costly problem that damages reputations and eats into profits. But what if there was a way to build it right the first time?

The Comfort Equation: Comfort + Efficiency = Happy Homeowners (and Builders)

Home comfort and energy efficiency go hand in hand. When a home is efficient, its residents are comfortable. This simple equation leads to satisfied homeowners and fewer callbacks for builders. By investing in quality construction upfront, you can save money and time in the long run.

The Maryland Builder’s Guide to Callback Prevention

Building Science: Your Foundation for Success

Understanding the home as a system is crucial. Heat flow, air leakage, and moisture management are all interconnected. By incorporating building science principles from the design phase, you’ll create a solid foundation for success. This knowledge helps you adapt to Baltimore’s climate challenges, from humid summers to frigid winters.

Subcontractors: Choose Your Team Wisely

Your subcontractors play a vital role in achieving your goals. Remember, proper insulation installation is critical because it’s not just about the product, but the technique.

Ensure your subs are properly trained in building science and up-to-date on the latest practices. At DeVere Insulation, we pride ourselves on our building science expertise and commitment to ongoing education.

Insulate and Air Seal: The Dynamic Duo of Comfort

A tight building envelope is the cornerstone of an energy efficient home and keeps conditioned air in and unconditioned air out. Proper installation of insulation and meticulous air sealing create a more comfortable interior and decrease builder callbacks. Don’t overlook those hidden gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and in the attic–they all add up.

HVAC: Sized Right and Optimized

A well-insulated and air sealed home requires less from its HVAC system. Avoid oversized systems that lead to uneven heating and cooling, when a smaller HVAC system will suffice. Proper ductwork design is essential for optimal airflow, energy efficiency, and comfort.

Ongoing Evaluation: Don’t Just Build, Verify

Use blower door tests and other diagnostic tests to identify leaks and improve airtightness. Involve certified HERS Raters to evaluate and fine-tune your home’s performance throughout the construction process.

The Baltimore Rowhouse Challenge: Unique Considerations

Baltimore’s iconic rowhouses present unique considerations:

Shared walls require extra attention to soundproofing and insulation.
Older homes often need specialized solutions for insulation and air sealing thanks to their age and existing conditions.
Limited space demands efficient use of every square foot for both comfort and functionality.

The Financial Impact: Callbacks vs. Investment

Calculate the true cost of callbacks, including time, labor, materials, and reputation damage. Now compare that to the investment in building science and proper installation techniques. Energy efficient homes command higher prices and lower utility bills, making them attractive to buyers and helping your client understand the value you provide.

Building Science Pays Off

A small investment in building science knowledge and quality construction upfront can save you thousands in the long run. By reducing callbacks, you’ll boost your reputation and create homes that truly delight.

The DeVere Insulation Advantage: Maryland Building Science

We understand the unique challenges of building in this climate and how building science impacts project success. Our comprehensive insulation and air sealing services are backed by the latest knowledge and energy-certified professionals. We’re committed to helping you create comfortable, efficient homes that stand the test of time.

The Baltimore Builder’s Blueprint for Success

At DeVere Insulation, we know that building comfortable, energy efficient homes in Baltimore isn’t just good for the environment–it’s good for business. By investing in building science, choosing the right subcontractors, and prioritizing proper installation of insulation and air sealing, you can reduce callbacks, boost your reputation, and create homes that truly satisfy.

Remember, a job site focused on quality and efficiency leads to happy homeowners and successful builders. Contact us today for answers to all your building science and insulation questions. We are here to help ensure your new home project is ready for move-in day.

Better Insulation, Better Health: The Health Perks of a Well-Insulated Maryland Home

When constructing a new home in Maryland, the significance of properly insulating your home cannot be overstated. Beyond the usual focus…

When constructing a new home in Maryland, the significance of properly insulating your home cannot be overstated. Beyond the usual focus on energy efficiency, a well-insulated and air sealed home home contributes significantly to the health and wellness of your family. In this blog post, we explore the various ways in which quality insulation and air sealing go beyond energy savings and directly impact your family’s well-being.

Improved Indoor Air Quality Brings a Breath of Fresh Air

Proper insulation, combined with air sealing, serves as a formidable barrier against external elements, blocking the entry of pollen, mold spores, and other allergens through your ceilings, walls, and floors. This is great news for you and your loved ones with breathing problems because this not only reduces asthma and allergy triggers but also leads to less wheezing, sneezing, and respiratory distress. Also, by preventing moisture buildup and inhibiting mold and mildew growth, insulation and air sealing protect your friends and family with respiratory issues like COPD or emphysema from particles that can aggravate lung diseases.

For the best indoor air quality, consider using spray foam insulation, the only type of insulation to both insulate and air seal in one step. Choosing to install proper insulation and seal air leaks in your new home not only improves your indoor air quality but provides reassurance that you and your loved ones will breathe easier.

Greater Temperature Regulation Creates a Cozier Home

Insulated walls act as efficient thermal barriers, preventing harsh outdoor temperatures from penetrating your indoor living spaces and provide you with a comfortable haven throughout the year. This is particularly crucial in Maryland, where our frigid winters and hot, humid summers are the norm. Regulated indoor temperatures are a huge boon for your loved ones more vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuations, such as babies, small children, and the elderly. Insulation shields them from the extreme cold and heat that can strain their cardiovascular and immune systems.

Plus, with less energy lost, there is lower energy output required for your heating and cooling systems to maintain a cozy environment. This means with less stress on your HVAC system, there will be less stress on your wallet, thanks to lower energy bills.

Less Noise Pollution Provides Peace of Mind

In addition to temperature regulation, insulation also plays a significant role in reducing noise pollution. Insulation batts and dense-packed loose insulation absorb vibrations, creating a peaceful indoor environment free from the disturbances of loud traffic, construction work, or noisy neighbors. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? This not only enhances your quality of life but also alleviates sources of stress that can disrupt your sleep patterns and cognitive functioning. We can all appreciate a good night’s sleep! Fiberglass batts, mineral wool, and spray foam are excellent insulation choices for reducing the sound pollution in your new home.

Added Protection from Toxins to Keep Your Family Safe

Quality insulation, along with air sealing, goes beyond temperature and noise control; they actively seal cracks and crevices, preventing vehicle fumes and industrial emissions from leaking inside your new home. They also reduce the chances of dust or contaminated soil gases from entering your living spaces. By limiting exposure to volatile organic compounds from outdoor furnishings, insulation becomes a shield against outdoor toxins, further contributing to the improved indoor air quality of your new home.

Enjoy a Comfortable and Healthy Home with Proper Insulation

It’s clear the benefits of proper home insulation and air sealing extend far beyond regulating heating and cooling. They directly translate into cleaner indoor air, more stable temperatures, less noise disturbances, and a shield against outdoor toxins. Investing in quality insulation is an investment in your family’s comfort and well-being within the confines of your attractive new Maryland home.

As you embark on building your dream home, consider the long-term impact of proper insulation – not just on your energy bills but on the health and happiness of your loved ones. Don’t let poor insulation dampen the joys of your new home. Choose the right type of insulation, ensure proper air sealing, and relish in the countless advantages that extend far beyond an energy efficient living space. At DeVere Insulation we focus on expert insulation services for new homes built in the Baltimore area while our Home Performance division offers additional insulation services for existing homes. Contact us today to get started on creating an energy efficient home to be proud of.

Four Easy Steps to Better Insulation in a New Maryland Home

When undergoing new construction there’s a solution that will maximize your new home or business project’s energy…

Updated April 2024

Maryland offers its residents a delightful mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty, but within this charm lies a challenge that every Maryland resident knows too well–the unpredictable weather. From scorching summers to chilly winters, the temperature swings can be discomforting, not to mention the toll they take on your wallet through high energy bills. But don’t worry, when undergoing new construction there’s a solution that will maximize your new home or business project’s energy efficiency and keep future owners’ energy expenses under control: proper insulation.

We’ve compiled four straightforward steps you can take to ensure your new construction project is insulated properly from the start.

Sealing the Cracks: Battling Air Leaks

Often, newly constructed homes and businesses are full of sneaky air leaks around many areas including windows, doors, and attic hatches. These small gaps are major culprits of energy loss, but thankfully there’s a simple remedy. With a bit of caulking, weatherstripping, or can foam insulation, you can air seal those gaps tight, banishing the drafts and keeping heating and cooling where it belongs–inside the building.

Elevating the Attic: The Key to Temperature Control

The attic, often overlooked but oh-so-important, holds the key to maintaining a comfortable living environment year-round. In winter, it’s a prime spot for heat loss, while in summer, it becomes a magnet for unwanted heat gain. The solution? Attic insulation. Whether choosing the timeless classic fiberglass batts or opting for the efficiency of spray foam insulation, investing in your building project’s attic insulation during construction will pay dividends many times over for future residents in both comfort and energy savings.

Fortifying the Walls: Battling the Elements

Depending on the construction of your home or business project, your walls may need some extra TLC in the form of insulation. Loose fill cellulose or fiberglass insulation are popular choices for existing walls, offering effective protection against heat loss and ensuring a snug living or working space regardless of the weather outside. Wall insulation also helps with lessening exterior sounds, giving occupants a more peaceful interior.

Seeking Professional Guidance: When to Call in the Experts

When it comes to properly insulating your new construction project, it’s always wisest to trust the job to the expertise of a professional. A reputable, licensed insulation contractor in Maryland, such as DeVere Insulation, can assess your building project’s specific needs and recommend the most effective insulation solutions, ensuring that your investment in new home insulation pays off for years to come.

Plus, an insulation professional will be well versed in Maryland’s energy codes and required insulation levels for new homes and businesses. Maryland’s energy code calls for the following amounts of insulation to be installed in buildings:

Ceilings: R-49
Walls: R-21
Floors: R-30
Basement Walls: R-13

These numbers can be confusing but remember, R-value represents insulation’s thermal resistance value, and the required R-value is the amount of insulation needed for our climate zone. When choosing a professional, it’s important to find one that pays special attention to not just meeting these energy codes, but also optimizing your new home or business building project’s energy efficiency.

The Rewards of Insulation: Beyond Comfort and Savings

The benefits of properly insulating your new home or business construction project extend far beyond mere comfort and savings on energy bills. By ensuring your project’s installed insulation is adequate from the start, future owners will not only enjoy a more comfortable working or living environment year-round, but it will also increase the structure’s energy efficiency and boost its overall value. Help future owners say goodbye to pesky drafts, high energy bills, and temperature fluctuations–and hello to a home or business that’s as cozy as it is cost-effective.

Transform Your New Home or Business Building Project with DeVere Insulation

Are you ready to ensure future owners are moving into a comfortable, energy-efficient home or business? Maryland’s weather may be unpredictable, but with the right insulation solutions in place, you can take control over your new home or business building project’s comfort and energy efficiency.

Our guide provides a solid starting point, but for personalized insulation recommendations tailored to your new construction’s specific needs, contact us today to consult with our team of insulation experts at DeVere Insulation. With our wide range of insulation materials and decades of experience in air sealing and insulation, we’ve grown to become Maryland’s largest and most trusted independent insulation contractor. You can count on us to help you unlock the full potential of your new home or business building project while keeping future energy bills in check.

Want an Efficient Home? Manage Airflow.

Airflow is a key component of the study of building science. When a building has improper airflow, it can impact both the building and…

Looking to build (or own) a home that is efficient and comfortable? The key is airflow, and we have building science to thank.

Airflow is a key component of the study of building science. When a building has improper airflow, it can impact both the building and its residents. Improper airflow can result in a variety of problems including mold growth, energy loss, and can encourage the infiltration and spread of pollutants. When airflow is properly managed each of these can be reduced, and the home’s HVAC system can operate more efficiently.

There are two common types of building airflow. Uncontrolled airflow is the type many people are familiar with. Years ago, uncontrolled airflow was also known as having a “leaky” home. Uncontrolled airflow is when air enters and leaves the home in a random fashion. This type of airflow doesn’t work in conjunction with the HVAC system, which can impact both energy use and home comfort.

On the other type is controlled airflow. This is when airflow is managed in a way that works with the home’s HVAC system. Sealing air leaks and adding mechanical ventilation allows airflow to be controlled to create a comfortable and efficient home environment.

Have questions about your home’s ventilation and overall energy efficiency? Contact our office to speak with one of our insulation professionals.

The Best Solution for Insulating Your Metal Building: RetroShield

RetroShield is designed to retrofit insulation in existing metal buildings and upgrade insulation systems in new metal buildings.

Attention metal construction contractors! METALCON – the premier event for metal construction products — is coming to Baltimore! The event is October 26-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

We’ll be there along with our supplier partner FiFoil, talking about insulation technologies for metal buildings including RetroShield.

RetroShield is designed to retrofit insulation in existing metal buildings and upgrade insulation systems in new metal buildings.

RetroShield reduces radiant heat transfer by over 90%, and provides a more appealing finish than other comparable insulation systems.

What makes RetroShield the right product for your next project? RetroShield:

Improves thermal performance, saving energy and reducing monthly operating costs.
Is quick and easy to install, reducing down time for you, the building owner.
Works with all types of metal framing.
Does not absorb moisture like standard mass insulation
Provides a more attractive finished appearance than other commercial insulation systems (available in white or reflective finishes. Custom colors available.)

The system is mechanically attached to the building’s frame without glue or cables. It doesn’t require additional framing or other alterations to complete the installation process. This installation system helps ensure long-term stability and product performance.

RetroShield® offers maximum energy efficiency for any roof or wall retrofit application. When installed, the RetroShield® System offers continuous insulation, minimizing air leaks. It can be back-loaded with additional insulation for specific thermal performance or R-value requirements.

For more about RetroShield® click here to download the brochure, or visit us live at METALCON!

Come See Us at METALCON!

Attention metal construction contractors! METALCON — the premier event for metal construction products — is coming to Baltimore!

Fi-Foil Company a Supply Partner of DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

Attention metal construction contractors! METALCON — the premier event for metal construction products — is coming to Baltimore! The event is October 26-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

We’ll be there along with our supplier partner FiFoil, talking about insulation technologies for metal buildings. Be sure to come see us!

Hybrid System: HY-Fi in Baltimore, MD

Homeowners and builders today are installing high-performing hybrid insulation systems. These systems have…

Install an HY-Fi Hybrid Insulation System from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

Homeowners and builders today are installing high-performing hybrid insulation systems. These systems have the air sealing properties of spray foam at a lower cost than full foam. Until now, most hybrid systems are thought of as spray foam finished with fiberglass.

The innovative HY-Fi hybrid insulation system from Fi-Foil is changing that. And both contractors and homeowners are thrilled with the results.

The HY-Fi hybrid insulation system provides a very cost-effective approach to creating high R-value walls. When used in combination with traditional insulation, such as fiberglass batts or spray foam, the HY-Fi hybrid insulation system creates a superior insulating system.

Here are some benefits of using HY-Fi on your next project:

HY-Fi enhances the performance of the building envelope by maximizing open air spaces in the wall cavity.
HY-Fi reflects heat away from the cavity and adds high-performing R-value to the wall. This additional R-value can reduce the amount of spray foam insulation needed to achieve the desired R-Value, reducing overall project cost.
HY-Fi can help you achieve a higher R-value in small wall spaces. It’s an ideal solution in areas with strict building codes.
HY-Fi is more efficient to install than fiberglass, meaning your job can be installed in less time than before.
The air cavity that is created between the spray foam and HY-Fi is a builder’s dream! Now contractors and homeowners have the ability to run additional cables (audio, video, etc) behind finished walls without having to drill through full spray foam.

To schedule a call with our estimating department, contact our office. We are happy to help!

Like a Fish Out of Water

How do we get to work when the job site is located somewhere without standard road access? We take a boat of course!

Here’s one for the record books! A customer called needing insulation for a new home they were building. We were excited to learn this house was located on Little Island in the Magothy River in Pasadena, MD.

There is no road access to this island — but we didn’t let that stop us! We welcomed the challenge to find a way to get our truck and crew out to the job site. As you’ll see by the photo to the left, we ferried our truck and crew over to the island to complete the job. What a fun opportunity for our team!

Have a tricky insulation problem? Contact us today —we’d love to help you solve it.

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