Some home remodeling projects are fun and visually rewarding. It’s great to walk into a newly remodeled home and “oooh and ahhh” over a brand new look. Sometimes, however, the improvements you make to your home aren’t all that much to look at—but they make a huge impact on the comfort of your home. And after all, home is the place you want to be comfortable. 

It’s hard to be comfortable in your home, however, if you’re not warm enough—especially this time of year. And while constantly cranking up the thermostat may keep your toes warm, it doesn’t make your wallet any more comfortable.

One simple solution—particularly if you live in an older Connecticut home—is to make sure that you have enough insulation. Is insulation really that big of a deal? According to the Harvard University School of Public Health, it is. They estimate that 65 million U.S. homes are under-insulated by the latest minimum codes. That has some pretty significant consequences. Inadequate insulation is a main reason why the average American home loses between 10 and 50 percent of its energy each year.

But how much insulation is enough? In an area such as Connecticut, you should have an R-49 in the attic. Your basement walls should have a rating of at least R-13—if the space is unheated and isn’t living space. The walls in the rest of your home should be at R-21, and your floors should be at R-30.  If you’re living in an older home, there’s a good possibility that your insulation levels fall below that—particularly if you’ve never added insulation.

If those numbers leave you scratching your head, we can help you figure out just how much added insulation will leave you feeling comfortable. Of course if you want to do more than simply make your home warm and comfortable, we’d be happy to help you with that as well. We can redesign your home to make it more functional. We can help you create the kitchen of your dreams or add a custom bath. We can also do home additions or even in-law apartments. We invite you to take a look at some of our recent remodeling projects.

If you’d like to talk to someone about your insulation needs—or about your ideas for making your home the place you’ve always dreamed it could be—give us a call at (203) 269-0325 and we’ll be happy to help!