Concrete driveways is one of the most reliable, low-maintenance and long-lasting materials that can be used for driveways. It’s also a great way to add value to your home. Concrete is also environmentally friendly, because unlike asphalt pavements that rely on non-renewable petroleum supplies, a concrete driveway can be made with locally available materials and recycled aggregates. Your ready-mix supplier can even use waste byproducts of power plants and steel mills, such as fly ash, ground blast furnace slag and silica fume, as partial cement replacements, which keeps this material out of landfills.

In addition to being a sensible choice from a cost perspective, concrete offers a sleek and consistent finish that will stay looking polished for its lifespan. Depending on the style and color you choose, it can help boost the kerb appeal of your property. Modern concrete has many styling options, from traditional light gray to stained or exposed aggregate and pave cut concrete options.

A Smooth Ride Home: The Advantages of Installing Concrete Driveways

If you want a more textured surface, a brushed finish is a simple and effective way to get it. This can be done between cutting in contraction joints and curing, by going over the surface of the concrete with a thick-bristle broom.

Another big advantage of a concrete driveway is its load-bearing capacity. This means that even an extremely heavy vehicle, like a dump truck, can park on it without worrying about damage. However, if your driveway is on a slope, it will need to be pitched correctly to ensure proper drainage. If your contractor doesn’t properly pitch your concrete driveway, water will collect on the surface and freeze, causing it to crack or disintegrate over time.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the attic is a very important place for home insulation. It helps to keep conditioned air inside the home, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It also improves air quality and reduces outside noises. In addition, it can help prevent dangerous ice dams in winter and hot spots on the roof.

If your attic insulation is not properly insulated, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder year-round to maintain your home’s comfort levels. When this happens, your energy bills will rise. In addition, your systems will experience more wear and tear as they work overtime. When you properly insulate your attic, you will see reduced energy costs and extend the life of your heating and cooling systems.

Attic Insulation Myths Debunked by Spraytech Experts

Insulation comes in several forms, with fiberglass batts being the most popular. It can be purchased in roll or loose-fill form, and is available at most hardware stores. When choosing fiberglass, make sure it is “unfaced” to avoid a paper or foil layer, which will limit its effectiveness. It’s also important to consider moisture resistance when selecting insulation. Fiberglass doesn’t do well with water, and if it gets wet, it will sag and lose its insulating value.

Mineral wool insulation is another choice. It’s made from natural materials and is moisture-resistant, helping to prevent mold and mildew in the attic. It’s also fire-resistant and provides good thermal performance when blown in or installed in batts. Like fiberglass, it’s also cost-effective and readily available at hardware stores.

Spraytech Insulators
“N4310 Ebbe Acres Dr
Waupaca, WI 54981”
715 551 5103

316 Insulation of Olympia is a powerful insulation material that seals the gaps and cracks in the building envelope, drastically cutting energy costs and creating a more comfortable home environment. It is safer to use than fiberglass batts and cellulose, and it can be used to insulate and air-seal ductwork as well as attics, crawl spaces, and wall cavities. In addition, it can provide a higher R-value than conventional insulation.

However, many underqualified and unregulated contractors have been touting spray foam as a quick, affordable, and easy solution to homeowners’ heating bills without disclosing its potential risks. Poorly applied spray foam can result in moisture damage, toxic mold, rotted framing, and costly repairs that far exceed any savings on energy bills.

Spray Foam Insulation for Homes: Trust 316 Insulation of Olympia

The foam is sprayed into attics and wall cavities, then expanded to fill the space and create an airtight seal. It can also be sprayed into hard-to-reach areas, such as between joists and around the band or rim joist of walls. It is more expensive than traditional insulation, but it is a good choice for new construction and retrofits because it can be installed as part of the building process.

The spray foam is typically made of polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. Ask your seller for a fact sheet on R-value, which measures the material’s resistance to heat flow and indicates its insulating power. Choose a foam with a low GWP, which measures how much carbon dioxide one ton of the insulation will release into the atmosphere over 100 years.

316 Insulation of Olympia
2511 Columbia St SW Olympia WA 98501
253-332-7606