Trying to pick the right type of insulation for your home can give you a headache! You’ve got R values to consider as well as the type and age of your home.

Then, you’ve got lots of product choices including cellulose, blown-in insulation, and even specialty products like TAP.

So how do you know what’s best for you? Our suggestion: research and read reviews.

In this article, we’ll give you a full review of TAP Insulation including what the product is designed to do as well as a detailed assessment of whether or not it works.

What Makes TAP Different?

TAP is similar to “traditional” insulation in that it is cellulose-based, blown-in insulation.

When they actually see the product, the logical first question most people have is “how is TAP different from normal insulation”? After all…it looks the same.

TAP is infused with Borate, a product that helps control roaches, earwigs, and other pests.  Now, don’t be alarmed. Borate is found in all sorts of household products like soap and shampoo. Not a problem for humans. But bugs sure hate it.

Why We Started Carrying TAP Insulation

Our crusade to get rid of bugs takes us into a whole lot of attics. And when we get up there, things aren’t always pretty.

We’ve seen attic insulation completely destroyed by years of unchecked pest problems. Rat urine. Roach droppings. You name it.

After we put an end to the pest problems in an attic that have gone on for too long, the insulation is often damaged beyond repair.

That’s when homeowners turn to an insulation contractor to sanitize their attic and replace the insulation.

Instead of replacing damaged or torn up insulation with the traditional product, we began installing TAP. This gives homeowners all the benefits of new high R-value insulation along with the added bonus of keeping their attics free of pests in the future.

It’s a win-win.

How TAP Insulation Works

TAP is similar to traditional blown-in insulation in that we blow it into all the same places you’d put spray foam or any other type of attic insulation.

If you’ve had older insulation in your attic for some time, TAP studies show that you’re going to immediately see a drop in your energy bills.

You can even add TAP insulation over your existing insulation if it’s relatively new. For instance, many new construction homes are insulated to meet minimum standards which require an R value of around 20.

Adding another 8-10 inches of TAP on top of that newer insulation should pay for itself in 2-3 years depending on your energy usage.

Also here in Louisiana you may qualify for a tax rebate as TAP is considered an energy star rated product. Check with your tax professional for details.

Keep Out Multiple Types of Pests

In addition to the well-documented energy savings, TAP will make sure you don’t have pests taking up residence in your attic.

Borate is designed to keep out creepy-crawlies like roaches, earwigs, spiders and the like.

 TAP Insulation Review – The Final Verdict

Our review of TAP is that it’s something of a no-brainer if you’re facing the prospect of insulating your attic.

It gives you all the energy savings and comfort benefits of high quality insulation combined with the added benefit of keeping pests out of your attic.

The one drawback? TAP is NOT a substitute for regular pest control.  TAP keeps pests out of your attic, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have pests outside your home trying to get in through other means. That’s where a highly skilled pest control technician comes in!

If you have any questions about whether or not TAP Insulation is right for your home, please contact us in Baton Rouge or Covington, LA. Our service area covers Lafayette to Mandeville, Covington, Slidell and the Northshore communities to the entire metro New Orleans area.

You’re vaguely aware of an odd noise. It’s jagged. Like someone crinkling paper.  But it’s faint…a few rooms away.

You could hear it just enough to wake you from your sleep. But it’s 2:18 am and you’re groggy. Daylight savings time has been tough to get used to.

As you start to gather your senses in the darkness, you notice a strange scent. It’s ashy smelling. Almost grey. What is that?

Something’s burning.

The thought of fire is enough to cut through the fog and put you into full alert mode.  Fires are the subject of nightmares. And you’ve just woken up to one in your own home!

You wake your loved one with 2 shakes and a whisper. “Baby, I think there’s a fire.”

Your next thought is the kids. As you rush down the hallway to their room, you can feel the smoke getting thicker as it spills out of the attic staircase.

You put the kids over your shoulder even though they’re not yet awake.

No need to call the dog. He’s following your every footstep. He already knows something is wrong.

Your mind is racing…so many things to grab. Things you can’t replace.

But you realize you’ve already got the things you can’t replace…your spouse and your children.

As you get safely outside, you can see the flames through the attic window.

During the rush, somehow, without thinking, you managed to grab your phone and call 911. You can hear the fire department sirens in the distance.  They’ll be here soon.

An hour later, the fireman says “You don’t know how lucky you are.” He explains that the damage was limited to the attic. All of those valuables you thought were gone are safe and sound.  He explains: “Your home had a lightning strike. A direct hit.  But the insulation kept the fire from spreading.”

Insulation?

Yes insulation.

You see, earlier that year, we installed TAP Insulation in this client’s attic. Fire resistant TAP Insulation.

At the time they were thinking it would be nice to help keep pests out of the attic and save a few bucks.

Did they ever imagine that insulation might save their lives and their home from a fire?

Of course not. None of us ever think it will happen to us.

But sometimes it does. And that’s one of the big reasons we love installing TAP Insulation.

Have you heard of TAP insulation? Recently, the government passed a tax credit to refund home owners a percentage of their investment when purchasing this product for their homes.

But what is it and why should you invest in it?

TAP Pest Control Insulation boasts multiple benefits and is a cost-effective improvement you can make to your home. It’s the only product that has been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to control pests while also having an Energy Star label and UL Classification.

What does that mean for you as a homeowner?

It can help you prevent and eliminate the spread of potentially disease-causing pests like cockroaches and termites while simultaneously saving you money on energy.

If you’re a budget-conscious homeowner, you’ll be thrilled. Here’s what you need to know about TAP insulation.

What is TAP?

TAP stands for Thermal Acoustical Pest Control Insulation. The insulation is composed of interconnecting paper fibers which are installed in the attic to help reduce sounds and regulate the temperature inside buildings. A layer of borate material is added to the fibers which actively helps to kill pests that come into contact with it.

Benefits

Thermal Insulation Saves on Energy Bill

A major benefit are the savings which come as a result of the installation. TAP acts like a blanket for your home as the cellulose fibers interconnect to create an almost perfect degree of insulation. It’s light enough to keep heat trapped while being dense enough to prevent air flow. Homeowners can save up to 30% on their energy bill yearly!

Eliminate Outdoor Sounds

Do noises bother you? Would you like to create a quiet sanctuary at home? TAP Pest Control Insulation is highly effective at cutting down on the noise that often comes in through the ceiling of your home. How? Sound flows through solid materials just as easily as heat does. For this reason, the small air pockets found in the interconnecting fibers in the insulation can reduce the amount of noise being transmitted. When installed in the ceiling at a level of R-60, especially across your attic, typical outdoor sounds are almost 100% eliminated!

Keep Pests Out

On top of thermal and acoustical benefits, TAP Pest Control Insulation acts as an active form of pesticide for your attic space. How does it keep pests out? A unique borate material is added to the paper fibers to eliminate bugs. You may have heard of the material as it’s also commonly found in cabinets, baseboards of homes, and even on the perimeters of homes.

The producers add this borate material onto paper fibers during the manufacturing process. Paper fibers are naturally adhesive, which allows for the borate particles to stick to the fiber lightly, distributing them evenly all throughout the insulation. Once insects come in contact with borate, the particles attach to them. Ultimately, the insects ingest the particles as they groom themselves, disrupting their digestive process, and starving them to death.

This helps to reduce the amount of pests that make it into your living space, as well as preventing any from nesting in your attic.

Dugas Provides TAP Pest Control Insulation

Dugas Pest Control is now offering to install TAP Pest Control Insulation safely and professionally in your home. Not only will you be able to benefit from the multipurpose uses of TAP, but you will also be able to take advantage of the tax credit through Dec 31, 2016. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!