Products & Services
Insulation is one of the most important aspects of any home or commercial building, which makes choosing the right insulation product a crucial decision for your structure.
Allow the professionals at McHale’s Environmental Insulation Co. to guide you through the process, as their decades of experience and familiarity with the latest products will take the guess work out of the process for you. McHale’s Environmental Insulation Co. is happy to serve clients in the Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Orinda, Berkeley and surrounding areas of California.
Cellulose Insulation–100% Borate Cellulose
McHale’s Environmental Insulation Co. is highly experienced with cellulose insulation. Cellulose Insulation is one of the highest quality insulation products on the market today. Cellulose insulation is made mostly from recycled newspaper and cardboard mixed with 100% borate fire retardant. With cellulose, you will start recognizing the comfort and financial benefits almost immediately.
Owners of cellulose insulated homes typically report heating and cooling bills up to 35% lower than homes with other types of insulation. Cellulose insulation pays back the cost of installation through added comfort, sound control and energy savings.
100% borate cellulose insulation is certified by the following agencies:
R & D Services
U.S. Drug Administration
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Environmental Protection Agency
Cellulose Insulation Mfg. Association
American Society of Testing Materials
Numerous State Agricultural Departments
U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission
Why 100% Borate Cellulose?
Cellulose gives superior performance and safety in all the areas that count:
Fire Protection
100% Borate Cellulose Insulation meets or exceeds all federal insulation standards.
Thermal Control
Thermal performance of insulation is measured in R-Value. The higher the R-Value, the more the material resists the flow of heat, the better it insulates. 100% borate cellulose insulation has a more effective R-Value per inch than fiberglass or rock wool. In attics, the fibers can be blown over existing insulation filling the voids which often have developed in older insulation. Cellulose applied in a continuous seamless blanket, achieves the highest possible R-value per inch of any fibrous insulation. Cellulose insulation is very effective at sealing buildings against air infiltration and ex-filtration. By blowing insulation into side walls and other cavities, the insulation fills the cavity completely eliminating voids frequently occurring with longer fibered materials. The short fibers flow freely around wires, switch boxes, rough plaster, pipes and nails. Cellulose insulation may be blown at a greater than settled density. This full density remains constant throughout years of service.
Acoustical Control
A materials ability to absorb sound can be measured in the laboratory in a range of frequencies. The absorption at a particular frequency, expressed as a decimal fraction, is called a sound absorption coefficient. The average of a materials sound absorption coefficient at 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000Hz is called the noise reduction coefficient or NRC. Materials that are good sound absorbers are usually not good at resisting the transmission of sound, but by combining a good sound absorber with a structure that resists sound transmission you can create an effective sound barrier. Cellulose fibers are short, hollow, and interlocking, allowing for high absorption of sound waves, thus reducing noise produced by plumbing, appliances, and outside sources. 100% borate cellulose insulation eliminates the voids and gaps which allows sound to penetrate or escape a structure.
The Superiority of Borate
Our cellulose insulation is made using 100% Boron 10. This flame retardant system overcomes the negative character of other chemicals and has no ammonium off-gassing. These organic fibers resist fungus, are light weight, non toxic, will not scratch or irritate normal skin, and have no objectionable odors. Every day humans come in contact with the element boron. It exists all through our environment, the water we drink, the soil we touch and the food we eat. Most fertilizers found around the home contain small amounts of boron. Boron is nutritionally important to maintain optimal human health. A wide range of products in your home may contain boron including roofing materials, wall board, fiber glass, cellulose insulation, ceramic tiles, porcelain enamels, pots and pans, cookware and even in dish washer detergent. Boron is in soaps, face lotions, makeup, shaving creams, contact lens solutions, eye drops and even denture cleaners.
Powerful, Yet Safe
100% borate has the reputation for innovative excellence. With the most accurate and comprehensive toxicity study in the industry. We support our customers with the manufacturers material safety data sheet. A copy of the MSDS report is available upon request.
100% borate cellulose insulation is non irritating and contains no formaldehyde, asbestos or ammoniums.
High Standards
Our 100% borate cellulose insulation is subject to standards more stringent than those required for most other brands of insulation. This provides an assurance of quality & consistency for both residential and commercial applications.
100% borate cellulose insulation is non irritating and contains no formaldehyde, asbestos or ammoniums.
100% borate cellulose insulation is one of the highest quality cellulose insulation brands available, manufactured and distributed to exacting standards to assure consistency and uniform high quality. It is manufactured from natural fibers, treated to meet the rigorous standards of the US Consumer Products Safety Commission and American Society of Testing Materials for flame resistance and the ability to resist corrosion.
For more information about 100% borate cellulose, please visit: www.mtfiber.com and www.cellulose.org
Radiant Barrier
Radiant Barrier is a multilayer, reflective type of insulation, available in rolls of various widths and lengths, that reflects radiant heat back to its source. Two outer layers of aluminum foil reflect up to 97% of radiant heat. Each layer of foil is bonded to a tough layer of polyethylene for strength. Two inner layers resist conductive heat flow, while a center layer reinforces it.
How It Works: Radiant heat, the major source of heat flow, is energy in the form of infrared waves. It travels at the speed of light, even through a vacuum, and is either transmitted through, absorbed into, or reflected by any material it contacts. Air, water and glass, for example, transmit visit light in varying degrees. A white surface, such as snow, reflects it; a black surface absorbs it. Radiant barrier insulation reflects up to 97% of the radiant energy striking its surface. In other words, in the hot summer months, radiant barrier reflects the sun’s rays while retaining interior heat.
R-Value Information: Most insulation is measured by R-value, which is the thermal resistance of the product. Radiant Barrier is measured by emissivity. For a reflective insulation to be most effective, it must be installed with airspace’s. The thermal value of the insulation system will vary depending on the size of the airspace’s and the direction of heat flow. This is why with just radiant barrier, we can achieve several different R-Values. For more information regarding Radiant Barrier please visit: energy.gov
Fiberglass
There are different types of fiberglass insulation and a number of manufacturers. Fiberglass insulation commonly comes in batts or blankets and can also be blown in. Fiberglass batting has different facings for use as an air and vapor barrier. McHale’s Environmental Insulation Co. can advise you on the appropriate type and R-value to use for your climate code and application to meet today’s energy efficiency standards.
Insulation Removal
McHale’s Environmental Insulation Co. can evaluate the condition of your existing attic, wall, or floor insulation, and can remove and dispose of it if necessary.
Cotton Insulation
Cotton Insulation is an environmentally friendly cotton fiber with quality features including no itch or skin irritation, maximum thermal performance and superior absorption. Like Cellulose, it’s also treated with a borate fire retardant that also acts as a mold, mildew and pest inhibitor.