When sprayed, spray foam expands and fills every crack and crevice, creating an airtight barrier that significantly reduces energy costs. It also helps prevent mold and mildew by blocking the mass transfer of water.

When choosing a spray Insulation Contractor, look for one certified by a recognized organization such as the BPI, ICC, or Green Seal. These organizations verify the spray insulation contractor follows rigorous standards for training, equipment, and materials to ensure quality work.

The insulating properties of spray foam are dependent upon the internal structure of the product, which can differ between open- and closed-cell varieties. Open-cell foam has a lower R-value than closed-cell spray foam, and it can shrink and lose its insulating value over time. Closed-cell spray foam can be more expensive than open-cell, but it is more physically robust and provides a better insulating R-Value per square foot.

The Ins and Outs of Spray Foam Insulation: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

If you choose to hire a professional, ask them which type of foam is best for your project. Closed-cell spray foam is a better choice for homes, while open-cell spray foam is more appropriate for commercial projects and pole barns.

When spraying your home, a trained technician will wear a mask to protect themselves from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the spraying and curing process. It is highly recommended that you and your family vacate the home during this time, as it will take a few days for the spray to completely cure and off-gas.

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Whether you want to check in on the kids or monitor your home’s perimeter, smart home smart security cameras are a useful tool. These close cousins to webcams can connect to your home Wi-Fi and send alerts and recorded footage to your smartphone. They also often offer built-in storage and some include audio monitoring systems so you can speak to criminals and warn them off your property. Many can even deter potential thieves by activating a piercingly loud 100dB siren, similar to a revving motorbike or ATV engine.

Most smart home camera devices track movement around your house and transmit the video to a free app on your smartphone, allowing you to see what is going on outside. They can be set up to record continuously (although continuous recording uses a lot of storage and requires a monthly fee with your provider) or to record only when they are triggered by motion or sound detection.

Night Vision and Motion Detection: Enhancing Surveillance with Smart Home Cameras

Depending on the device, some smart cameras also have night vision to give you an early warning of any activity outside your home in the dark. They can also be configured to send an instant notification if they detect motion, sound or a face (known or unrecognised). Some models have built-in Wi-Fi so you don’t need to purchase and install a separate hub and others support dual-band routers for maximum compatibility.

Our top pick for the best smart home security camera is this Blink system with 8 wired cameras. It’s easy to set up, has a great mobile app and records onto an on-site 1TB hard drive (with new footage overwriting the oldest recordings), so you can access your surveillance at any time without having to pay any monthly cloud storage fees.

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