Frequently Asked Question
Q. Is this an economic thing for us to consider doing?
A. Yes, Insulating and Air Sealing your home pays for itself over time. Investing in airkrete® GREENsulation™ insulation makes good sense both from the point of view of money saved on energy bills and increased comfort due to the many unique qualities (i.e. fire proof, pest resistant, mold resistant, non allergenic...)
Q. Is there really an energy crisis?
A. While it is unpleasant to admit, the energy crisis is an undeniable fact of life. We are depleting our non-renewable fossil fuels at an incredible rate. Government agencies reported that 40% to 50% of US energy used is consumed by our homes and buildings we live and work in. Properly insulated, our homes and buildings would help to conserve a great amount of energy. Conservation of energy is the safest, cheapest and most environmentally sound way to combat the energy crisis.
Q. What is the retail cost?
The "Good News" is that whatever your airkrete® GREENsulation™ investment is... You will RECOUP that investment through future energy savings! Since house designs, sizes, and cavity depths all vary house to house, please contact us for an accurate estimate for your home.
Q. My house is a very well-made house and I'm sure the contractor wouldn't have forgotten to do something so important…. right?
A. Not necessarily. Insulation was just not a high priority before 1978. Obviously, that is not the case today. If your home was built before 1978, it is most likely that the wall insulation is inadequate. Also, through the years most insulation products shrink or settle, which would increase energy loss by 5% or more. airkrete® GREENsulation™ does not shrink or settle in a closed cavity wall. This property keeps airkrete® GREENsulation™'s high and consistent R value. Our trained personnel will be able to help you determine the need for new or additional insulation.
Q. Will insulating my home with airkrete® GREENsulation™ raise the resale value of my home?
A. Quite likely. A properly insulated home with airkrete® GREENsulation™ which is environmentally safe, fire resistant, with a continued high R value would be a valuable benefit in the future. Plus, lower utility bills are always an attractive feature to a buyer!
Q. I recently reviewed a video on CBC Toronto "Spray-on insulation a highway for termites, experts warn..." Is this true of airkrete® GREENsulation™?
A. NO. Termites, wood bees, carpenter ants, spiders, etc., will not survive burrowing through airkrete® GREENsulation™ due to the abrasiveness (wears away their exoskeleton) and the desiccant properties of airkrete® GREENsulation™ cementitious foam (dries them up). No more EXPENSIVE REPEAT VISITS from the exterminator. No more harsh chemical odors to be exposed to! Read more... | Watch CBC Toronto review on Spray Foam Insulation
Q. What If I already have some insulation in my walls?
A. Since airkrete® GREENsulation™ is a non-expanding foam insulation, it can be injected into walls that contain underperforming insulation such as fiberglass and cellulose, WITHOUT removing the existing insulation. Unlike fiberglass, rock wool, or cellulose, airkrete® GREENsulation™ air seals and insulates at the same time, minimizing air infiltration and maximizing comfort and savings!
Q. Can airkrete® GREENsulation™ be used for new construction?
A.Yes, airkrete® GREENsulation™ can be used for new construction by stapling a retention fabric, such as InsulWeb™, onto the face of the studs or rafters creating a cavity into which airkrete® GREENsulation™ can be injected into.
Q. How long will it take?
A.Very likely we will be able to insulate your home in just a couple of days, depending, of course, on the size of your home. Our professional crews are trained to treat your home with the utmost respect and care while causing you the least inconvenience possible.
Q. Well, if I do need wall insulation, why should I consider airkrete® GREENsulation™?
A. One factor to remember in insulating the sidewalls of your home is that you normally have only 3.5" to 4" of space to insulate, so that you need a product that can do the most with that limited amount of space. That means you want the product with the highest resistance, or R-value. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is also fire resistant. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is mold and pest resistant. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is non allergenic, and has acoustic properties. There is no other product on the market that can rival airkrete® GREENsulation™.
Q. What is airkrete® GREENsulation™?
A. Unlike ALL other foam insulation products, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is mineral based inorganic chemistry (not a plastic) with desirable characteristics such as: 100% fireproof, no toxic fumes, no CFCs, HCFCs, asbestos, or formaldehyde. Additionally, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is a rodent and insect deterrent, non allergenic, and mold resistant with a high r-value and excellent acoustical characteristics!
Q. How does airkrete® GREENsulation™ work?
A. airkrete® GREENsulation™ slows down heat transfer and minimizes air infiltration keeping your home more comfortable while conserving energy which results in lower utility bills.
Q. How is airkrete® GREENsulation™ different from Spray Polyurethane Foams (SPFs)?
A. Unlike ALL Spray Polyurethane Foams, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is an injection foam that requires a cavity in which to be injected into. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is non-expanding which makes it perfect to retrofit existing buildings without "gutting" the interior as is necessary for SPF Applications. Additionally, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is mineral based inorganic chemistry unlike SPFs which are organic "plastic" formulations containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Also, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is the only foam insulation on the planet that is 100% fireproof... Period!
Q. Is this product different from other kinds of masonry?
A. Yes. The method of making lightweight "foamed cement" insulation is unique and patented. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is only available from licensed airkrete® GREENsulation™ installers who have been throughly trained, are completely professional, and capable of installing airkrete® GREENsulation™ correctly and effectively.
Q. But is it safe? I've heard an awful lot about different kinds of insulation causing all sorts of health problems.
A. One of the most exciting things about airkrete® GREENsulation™ is that it uses no hazardous materials of any kind. While fiberglass can give off microscopic shards of glass, and cellulose must be carefully treated to guard against fire, airkrete® GREENsulation™ is made with air, water and MgO (Magnesium Oxide) cement. The MgO is a mineral which is used in our daily vitamin mineral supplements. When MgO is calcined, it produces high temperature fireproof refractory cement. Recent studies have proven that (MgO) absorbs CO2 (carbon dioxide). The MgO activates a counter action to the global warming effect by scrubbing CO2 from the atmosphere, making airkrete® GREENsulation™ an even more environmentally friendly product.
Q. Could it cause a fire in my walls?
A. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is 100% fireproof.. Period.. without adding any additional fire retardants!
Q. How safe is it to be around during an installation?
A. Unlike Spray Polyurethane Foams (SPFs), airkrete® GREENsulation™ does not emit any noxious odor or VOC's. You can remain in your home during the entire process. Not harmful to people or pets!
Q. Does it shrink or settle?
A. airkrete® GREENsulation™ injected into an enclosed cavity has zero shrinkage. (ASTM C951)
Q. How long will it last?
A. Unless the cavity is disturbed, airkrete® GREENsulation™ injected into the cavity will last the lifetime of the building and will not deteriorate, shrink, or settle with time.
Q. What happens if airkrete® GREENsulation™ gets wet?
A. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is moisture resistant yet vapor permeable. If it ever becomes damp or wet, it will dry over time and will maintain the original performance characteristics, unlike fiberglass and cellulose.
Q. Is airkrete® GREENsulation™ mold resistant?
A. airkrete® GREENsulation™ is inorganic and provides no food source for mold to grow. (ASTM D 6329-98)
Q. Is airkrete® GREENsulation™ a franchise?
A. No. airkrete® Inc. licenses the technology to independent airkrete® GREENsulation™ factory trained and certified installers.
