Inspect before covering
Find roof or plumbing leaks, bulk-water entry, pest damage, unsafe wiring and existing ventilation issues before adding insulation.
Record current material, condition, coverage and the assemblies included in the proposal.
Pair insulation with air sealing
Insulation slows heat flow; air sealing controls unintended leakage. A proposal should identify the penetrations and boundaries being treated.
Combustion safety and ventilation may need review when a home becomes tighter.
Verify the finished work
Require material, area, installed R-value target, depth or density requirements, photographs and a final inspection method.
After major envelope work, revisit HVAC loads before replacing equipment.
Sources and further reading
Questions or corrections? Contact the editorial team.
