The Insulation Crew Your Energy Auditor
Actually Recommends.
We crawl into attics, slide between studs, and seal crawlspaces so tight your February gas bill drops before the first snow melts.
"The only insulation contractor I refer clients to without hesitation — they understand building science, not just installation."
— Marcus Webb, Certified Energy Auditor, BPI
Licensed & Insured
BPI + RESNET Certified
One Size Never Fits All.
Here's the honest breakdown.
Every insulation type has a job it's built for. The mistake most homeowners make is picking one product for every application — or letting a contractor push the highest-margin option.
Batt typically combines 2–3 products per home for optimal performance.
| Metric | Fiberglass Batt Traditional | Most Versatile Blown-In Cellulose Retrofit Favorite | Spray Foam Premium Seal |
|---|---|---|---|
R-Value per Inch thermal resistance | R-2.2 – 2.7 | R-3.2 – 3.8 | WinnerR-6.0 – 7.0 |
Moisture Resistance vapor behavior | Poor — absorbs moisture | Moderate — treated, not immune | WinnerExcellent — closed-cell repels water |
Cost per Sq. Ft. installed, 2026 | Best Value$0.40 – $1.20 | $0.60 – $1.80 | $1.50 – $4.50 |
Air Sealing infiltration control | None — requires separate air barrier | Partial — dense-pack fills gaps | WinnerComplete — seals and insulates in one |
Ideal Application best use zone | Open attic floors, new construction | Retrofit walls, attic top-ups | Rim joists, crawlspaces, cathedral ceilings |
Environmental Impact embodied carbon | Moderate — recycled glass content | WinnerLow — 80% recycled newspaper | High — petrochemical blowing agents |
DIY Feasibility homeowner install | Yes — batts available at hardware store | Partial — blower rental possible | No — requires licensed applicator |
Now that you know R-value matters, let's size yours.
We'll match the right product to each zone of your home — free, in 2 minutes.
4 Attic Ventilation Mistakes
I See Every Single Week.
Derek Hollis
14 years in the field. BPI Building Analyst. Has been in more crawlspaces than he'd like to count.
"The difference between a good insulation job and a great one is 90% air sealing. The insulation is just the blanket."
Insulating over a wet deck
I see this every other week. Homeowner had a small roof leak three years ago, it was 'fixed,' and now there's a beautiful R-38 blanket trapping moisture against the sheathing. By the time we arrive, the OSB is soft. Rule: always check moisture content before you touch a batt.
Blocking soffit vents with blown-in
Cellulose is light. It migrates. Without baffles at every rafter bay, you've turned your ventilation channel into an insulation dam. The attic overheats in summer, ice dams form in winter, and the whole job needs to be redone. Baffles cost $0.40 each. There's no excuse.
Ignoring the attic hatch
A standard attic hatch has an R-value of roughly 1. You could have R-60 everywhere else and still lose 8% of your heating through a 22×30-inch hole. We build insulated hatch covers on every job — it takes 40 minutes and it's often the highest ROI item on the invoice.
Skipping air sealing before insulating
Insulation slows conduction. Air sealing stops infiltration. They're different problems. If you lay batts over unsealed top plates, recessed lights, and plumbing penetrations, you've done half the job. We air seal first, always — it's what separates a 15% savings from a 31% savings.
Your attic might have all four of these issues right now.
Derek can tell you in 20 minutes — free diagnostic call included with every estimate.
The Vapor Barrier Myth.
And what actually works.
Vapor barriers are the most misunderstood element in residential insulation. Here's what building science actually says — not what the big-box store sticker claims.
"You need a vapor barrier everywhere"
Only in climate zones 5–7 and crawlspaces. In mixed climates, vapor barriers can trap moisture.
"Plastic sheeting is always the answer"
A 6-mil poly is only one option. Closed-cell spray foam, rigid foam, and smart vapor retarders all outperform it in specific applications.
"Vapor barrier goes on the warm side"
Correct — but "warm side" depends on your climate. In hot-humid zones, the warm side is outside. Most contractors get this wrong.
R-Value Requirements by ZoneDOE Climate Zone 5 baseline
Blown-in cellulose + spray foam air sealing at penetrations
Dense-pack cellulose (retrofit) or fiberglass batt (new build)
Closed-cell spray foam on walls (conditioned) or fiberglass on floor (vented)
Closed-cell spray foam — only product that air seals AND insulates simultaneously
Not sure which zone needs the most attention?
We run a free thermal scan on the first visit.
Now that you know where the heat escapes, let's seal it.
Tell us your zip code, square footage, and which zones concern you most. We'll send a zone-specific estimate within 24 hours.
"February bill was $312. March — after Batt sealed the attic and rim joists — was $194. That's not a rounding error."
Patricia Connolly
Homeowner, Naperville IL
"I manage 18 units built in the 70s. Batt retrofitted all of them over two winters. Code compliant, on schedule, no callbacks."
Raymond Okafor
Property Manager, Chicago
"I'm a GC. Finding a licensed insulation sub who shows up and doesn't cut corners is genuinely rare. Batt is on my speed dial."
Sandra Mejia
General Contractor, Evanston IL
Your house is losing heat right now.
We can stop it.
Enter your zip code, square footage, and the areas you want sealed. We'll send a zone-specific estimate within 24 hours — no form on this page, no commitment, no sales call unless you want one.
No form. No commitment. Estimate in 24 hours.
Prefer to talk to Derek directly?
(312) 555-0187