October 17, 2023
If you are fortunate enough to be able to use a second home as a getaway here in Vermont, you probably have your own name for it, like “ski house,” “chalet, “mountain cabin”, “hunting cottage”, or if your New England roots run deep you might just use the term, “camp”. These getaways are often wooded and snowy, and rarely properly insulated - but they should be! So if you are looking into insulation options for your seasonal home, you’re in the right place.
Vermont Foam Insulation has seen Vermonters experience the comfort and energy savings of properly insulating camps, cabins, and cottages — and one thing that surprises many about insulation is that it is helpful in all seasons! Here’s how to insulate your vacation home, and why you should.
The All-Season Comfort of Insulation
While many Vermonters may associate insulation primarily with keeping warm during our frosty winters, the truth is that proper insulation offers comfort all year round. Insulation drastically slows down how fast energy can transfer between the inside and outside of a building, through the walls, attic, and floors. In the winter, good insulation ensures that the warmth generated by your heating system or fireplace remains inside. During the warmer months, on the other hand, it prevents the sun's intense heat from infiltrating your vacation home, maintaining a cooler and more comfortable interior.
Boosting Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings
Do you have to leave the heat cranked in your cottage or camp or turn on multiple fans in the summer just to try and escape the humidity? Without adequate insulation, both heating and cooling systems have to work overtime, leading to higher energy costs.
Protection Against the Elements
One common concern, especially during Vermont’s harsh winters, is frozen pipes. Without insulation, the freezing temperatures can easily penetrate your vacation home, freezing your pipes. This can result in costly damages and inconvenient repairs, which is why many cabin owners implement a winterizing process that adds time to the packing in and packing out.
Moreover, some insulation materials like spray foam insulation act as a moisture barrier, preventing water from seeping into your vacation home. This is particularly vital during the snow melts of spring or the heavy rains of summer. Moisture in the walls or attic can lead to mold growth, which not only poses health risks but also compromises the structural integrity of your property.
Get More Time to Relax
For many, the end of a vacation often involves a long checklist of winterizing tasks to ensure the home remains safe and damage-free until the next visit. This can include draining water pipes to prevent freezing, sealing windows and doors, and many other time-consuming tasks.
However, with effective insulation in place, the process of winterizing your vacation home can become much quicker. Insulated walls and pipes are less susceptible to freezing temperatures. You’ll find that you spend significantly less time on winter prep, which means more time relaxing or enjoying those final moments of your vacation.
Get Spray Foam from Vermont Foam Insulation
Now that you know why it's a good idea to insulate a vacation home, camp, cabin, or cottage, you’re going to eventually need to make a choice about which insulation material and insulation contractor in Vermont to trust with your project. Vermont Foam Insulation is one of the most experienced spray foam contractors in Vermont, and we have insulated all types of vacation and second homes throughout the state. If you have questions about making the homebase for leaf peeping, ice fishing, skiing, hiking, boating, hunting, or simply just relaxing at the lake more comfortable all year round, call Vermont Foam Insulation about finding the right solution for you.