"I had several options to pursue in finding a remedy for my hot attic. After meeting with the insulation consultant who was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and provided detailed explanations of how to insulate I knew proceeding with the job was the right decision. My attic is noticeably cooler and I highly recommend"
"Our first interaction with Atlas was with Shannon. As knowledgeable and personable as one could hope for. She clearly explained cost effective measures to better insulate our house. We opted for sealing and insulating our attic and weather stripping a number of doors. We were very pleased with the workmanship and the energy savings they produced. They also helped us get a PEPCO credit which reduced the overall cost of the job. A winner!"
"On time, courteous, clean and efficient. Foamed and drywalled the garage efficiently, and cleaned up well after the job. Provided advise on issues seen during insulation preparation. Great service."
"This probably the most professional service organization I've worked with in any capacity. They did a comprehensive audit and we discussed issues that could be remediated prioritized by the biggest bang for the buck and then they did the fixes we agreed upon. I always felt like I was dealing with an expert who had my best interests at heart - work that they could have done that they advised could be deferred. Ended up increasing the insulation in the attic which I'd known for years was a problem and sealing the ducts which has made a noticeable difference. I'd happily recommend Atlas to anyone who thinks they might benefit from a home energy audit and efficiency upgrades."
"We needed insulation applied only to the underside of the house at this time. The guy who came out to give an estimate was great. The guy that came out to do the spray job (I expected a team and got just one guy) was super nice. The spray foam would appear to be difficult to manage during application as some spots only have a skim of insulation while others seem to have 7 inches of it. The office..... trying to get any information from that office.... was a hassle way beyond my wildest nightmares. Getting the estimate took days, getting scheduled took days. They have only one person working to do all of the scheduling and she "is out of the office" during a whole heck of a lot of "our office hours are from...". Figuring out what I needed to know to pay online took pulling teeth. It was the best price I got and it will make a world of difference to that house structure and its moisture issues.... but good grief!"
"Excellent contractor. Fast, reliable and reasonably priced. Removed old insulation, cleaned and then installed new insulation in attics. Kept work site neat. Showed up on time. Highly recommend."
"Well, the first time the replacement was ordered it was the wrong one, which of course, delayed the installation a week. When it was finally installed I had to pay an additional $850 for code upgrades. This I was not informed of by Home Shield. Then we noticed that there was water on the garage floor and found that the pipe coming in from the wall was leaking at the wall so had to call the plumbing company back out to fix it. They first tried to say it was not their fault but since there wasn't a leak before they installed they did fix it. I have used Home Shield a few times before and never had a problem. Some of the companies they use are not the best so you have to research them before you commit. I have found HS service to be good if you do your homework. At the end of the day I was without hot water for almost 3 weeks but it was do to the plumbing company they sent out."
You can put certain types of plaster over other types, but doing so isn't always the best idea. For example, putting a coat of gypsum over lime plaster is possible, but doing so will limit the lime plaster's breathability and potentially affect its performance.
Since cement plaster tends to leave a textured surface, no matter how much you smooth it, some people prefer to use gypsum plaster as a topcoat over cement plaster, creating a smoother surface.
Walls should be as smooth as possible before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper. Although you technically can apply wallpaper on textured walls, the peel-and-stick variety won’t last long without a clean, smooth surface for the adhesive to stick to. If you have textured walls, consult a pro about removing the textured finish before moving forward with wallpaper.
Many homeowners choose to install tongue and groove over drywall. The great thing about this type of ceiling is that it hides imperfections. If your drywall is a little bit wonky or has some minor damage, the tongue and groove planks should cover it and give it an even appearance. Installation is simplest if you install battens over the existing framing before installing your tongue and groove planks.
Look for flaking paint or air bubbles that burst and then flake away. Paint will begin to flake after being exposed to minimal moisture or water, so it’s a good indicator of any water damage. If you notice your paint starting to flake, feel the plaster underneath to see if it is soft or damp.
If you plan on heating your garage, you must install a vapor barrier when drywalling the garage. A vapor barrier protects your garage from frost and mold that can occur through condensation. If your garage is unheated, you don't need to install a vapor barrier. The only exception is if you regularly crank the heat in your car before getting in it. In this case, you may still want to install a vapor barrier, as your car can heat your garage.
The Saint James, MD homeowners’ guide to drywall insulation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
New insulation can make your home more comfortable and boost energy efficiency. Use this insulation cost guide to get an accurate estimate for the installation.
Learning how to insulate plaster walls can help improve your home's energy efficiency. However, there are crucial cautions to consider before attempting.
Thick gaps and extra joint compound can alter the look of drywall. So, should drywall be butt up against a wall? Review this guide for seamless installation.
