Types of Insulation

Types of Insulation

The right insulation doesn’t just keep you comfortable; it can also help lower energy bills and help protect your home from the elements for years to come.

Not All Insulation Performs the Same—Especially in a Maine Winter

Insulation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different insulation materials have different strengths and uses. That’s why Evergreen is the home insulation company near you that takes a careful, building science-based approach, like choosing the right insulation for the job that will help you get the most out of every upgrade.

One type of insulation we don’t use is fiberglass – it underperforms in cold climates, settles over time, and is a favorite nesting site for critters. Instead, we use materials that are proven to work in Southern and Coastal Maine homes.

Maine house with patchy snow on the roof and icicles on the side of the roof
Cellulose insulation in gloved hands

The Materials We Use – and Why

Cellulose Insulation

Often used in: Attic floors (loose blown); roof slopes, floor cavities, and wall cavities (dense packed)

We use Beno-Therm cellulose, made from recycled newspaper and treated to resist fire, pests, and mold. It’s one of the most cost-effective and high-performance insulations available, and it’s a go-to for many Maine homes.

  • Excellent thermal and sound insulation
  • Fire- and mold-resistant
  • Non-toxic and eco-friendly
  • Can be blown in as loose-fill or dense-pack

Made in Maine Wood Fiber Insulation

Due to popular request, customers can now request TimberFill insulation from Timber HP, a Madison, Maine-based company. TimberFill works similarly to cellulose and is primarily blown in loose in attics, or in some cases dense packed in roof slopes and walls. 

Mineral Wool (Rock Wool) Insulation

Often used in: Chimneys, masonry walls, or areas exposed to moisture or heat

Mineral wool looks like fiberglass, but don’t be fooled—it’s denser, tougher, and more resistant to moisture, pests, and fire, making it a great choice for basements and utility areas.

  • Strong fire and moisture resistance
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Excellent sound dampening

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Often used in: Basement walls, rim joists, crawlspaces, and hard-to-seal areas

Closed-cell spray foam expands on contact, filling cracks, gaps, and cavities before hardening into a solid, airtight layer. It acts as both insulation and an air and moisture barrier, which is why many homeowners rely on spray foam insulation for hard-to-seal areas.

We use spray foam for very specific jobs to deliver lasting performance in tough conditions. Because it’s a chemical product, spray foam needs to be installed with safety and care, and your family will need to vacate the home during installation and curing.

  • High R-value and rigid structure
  • Acts as an air, moisture, and vapor barrier
  • Ideal for old foundations or stone walls

Foil-Faced Rigid Foam Board

Best for: Poured concrete basement walls or crawlspaces

Rigid foam boards offer a clean, finished look. As an experienced local basement insulation company, we use rigid foam board because it delivers high insulation value, moisture protection, and fire resistance.

  • Long-lasting performance
  • Air and moisture resistant
  • Fire-rated white foil facing for a clean aesthetic

Helping You Choose the Right Material—And Installing It the Right Way

The material is just one piece of the puzzle. How it’s installed is what makes it perform.

Since 2006, Evergreen has helped more than 4,500 homeowners choose the right basement, wall, and attic insulation in Portland, Rockland, and the rest of Southern and Coastal Maine. We’re your local insulation guide, walking you through your options, explaining the tradeoffs, and recommending the best fit for your home, budget, and long-term comfort.

Evergreen team member installing blown insulation in attic
Evergreen Home Performance Team Installing Attic Insulation

Insulation Incentives Available Now

No matter the insulation material, insulation incentives are available that can help save you thousands when you improve your home. Evergreen is the leading Efficiency Maine program contractor for insulation and air sealing upgrades and can help you qualify for:

  • Efficiency Maine rebates up to $8,000
  • Low-interest financing starting at $50/month

Evergreen will help you find the right insulation for your Maine home – and install it the right way. Call 207-594-2244 or contact us online to schedule your free consult.

The right insulation makes all the difference. We’ll help you choose what your home really needs.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT TODAY

In the final stages of selling our home, and with a closing date set, an inspection came across an unanticipated issue in our attic. We quickly called in contractors, but nobody was able to identify the source of the problem. Then we thought of Evergreen. Brian Robinson was on site the next morning and immediately identified the source (a faulty roofing job completed three years earlier which had effectively sealed up portions of the ridge vent and restricted air flow - not easily visible with a quick inspection).

Robin McIntosh

Camden

I highly recommend Evergreen! 1st, I had a home efficiency inspection (that was free) & Bryan P. was great! He took the time needed, asked & listened to what I thought were priorities, explained clearly what he thought were priorities & why, then gave me numerous options. No pressure whatsoever. Then I had my attic sealed & insulated as the 1st step & Bryan came along on day 1 to introduce everyone & make sure we were all on the same page. Bruce's team (inc. Kelsey & Roland) did the work - they were exceptional!!

Melissa M.

Kennebunk

Evergreen did everything they said they would and more. I actually don't mind going into the basement now since they sealed it. The air quality in the house is noticeably better and it's warmer in the winter. We can even store clothing down there where before, whatever was in there would mildew. Even the spider population declined! I used to vacuum so many of them from the corners of the ceilings in the house. Not any more!

Loriel Van Dusen

We couldn't be more pleased with the easy, professional, high-value service from Evergreen. Having purchased an older home that had been in our family for generations, we needed multiple upgrades, including insulation throughout. Evergreen insulated our attic with blown-in cellulose, built a new, super-insulated attic hatch, sealed off the old one (which was just a piece of plywood in a closet ceiling), and also talked us through our best options to upgrade our heating system given the plans we have to add onto the house.

Tom G.

South Thomaston

Great company. Very professional and thorough. They take the time to explain everything and offer options to fit your budget. Wonderful experience from start to finish.

Bonnie Eustace

We had a fantastic experience working with Evergreen to insulate our roof this winter. Everyone was extremely friendly throughout the process - the crew at our home worked hard, were approachable with questions, and the team leader even showed me around the project to point out specific areas they were working to improve.

Joel Wentz

Several years ago Brian Robinson evaluated the crawl space at my summer home on Islesboro where I knew moisture was becoming a problem. I had done quite a bit of work in the space many years prior with mixed results. When Brian offered some suggestions, they were ideas that incorporated work previously done, and would be a relatively low cost effort to improve the situation. He offered this advice over several phone conversations of some length, informally, and at no charge.

Cliff R.

Islesboro

Evergreen did a fantastic job insulating our 1930's home. The onsite team was professional, clean, and really just a joy to interact with throughout the process. A blower test at the end showed a significant decrease in air leakage. I highly recommend Evergreen.

Kristen H.

South Portland

The Evergreen crew from initial inception to installation were professional, on time, and left our place spotless. The end result was exceptional.

John Brown

Evergreen was so helpful in securing us Efficiency Maine funding for a big attic insulation project early this winter. They did all of the paperwork, and totally guided us through a vermiculite removal process that included a payment from a trust for the procedure. I could instantly feel the second floor being so much warmer than before. The boiler does not kick on nearly as frequently since they completed the job. It was worth every penny! Brian Robinson was so thorough throughout the whole process including a full walk through after the job had been completed.

Todd W.

Camden

The Evergreen Team did a fabulous job, well exceeding our expectations, In just over a week they transformed our very drafty, noisy 213 year old house into a snug, draft-free, quiet haven with warm floors! The team was prompt, did everything they said they'd do and more. We are thrilled!

Trudy M.

Bridgton

Evergreen came out 2 years ago to do an assessment and insulate our roof. This year we had them come back and do the basement as well. They are hands-down the best crew we've ever hired to work on our house. They are experts at what they do, and super meticulous in their work. After working in our house for a week with blown insulation, there was no trace they were ever here. We've seen a huge decrease in our energy bills while at the same time the house has become way more comfortable. Can't recommend them enough.

RC Lations II

Portland

I was very impressed by the professionalism of this company and the workers. Brian R. was very prompt in replying to my questions; the crew was meticulous in all parts of the work and attentive to the safety aspects concerning Covid; and Brian was extremely thorough in the final inspection. My attic is now snug and warm and I've noticed that the second floor is warmer as well.

Julia S.

Rockland

The team members were very professional, worked very hard, paid very close attention to detail and cleaned up meticulously every day. I really appreciated the care they took knowing the smallest details were going to make a big difference to our heating bills. Thank you!

Pam B.

Brunswick

We are so pleased with the work the team from Evergreen Home Performance did in our home. The project included encapsulation of our basement with a reinforced vapor barrier, installation of a sump pump, spray foam insulation on the walls and insulation of the heating duct work. Everyone at Evergreen was friendly and professional. The project was completed on time and in budget. Our home is much cozier and warmer since the project was completed.

Linda Metzger

Portland Buy Local
Efficiency Maine
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Building Performance Association
BPI Certified