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Green Cocoon Attends Green Alliance’s Holiday Party

News and Awards
Candace Lord, Green Cocoon Vice President; Liz Dorsett, Independent Marketing Specialist, and Joe Marino, Green Cocoon Salesperson

On Thursday, December 11, Candace Lord and Joe Marino, vice president and salesperson for The Green Cocoon, attended The Green Alliance’s second annual holiday party. The jam-packed event was held at the Great Rhythm Brewing Company in Portsmouth. Over 100 members and guests attended.

Jake and Lindsay Roche, owners of The Green Alliance; Candace Lord, The Green Cocoon Vice President; and former Green Alliance owner Sarah Brown.

Purpose of The Green Alliance

The Green Cocoon is a member of Green Alliance. Their purpose is to promote local business partners that make serious efforts to operate in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner. Furthermore, those business partners offer discounts to Green Alliance Community card-holders. 

Sales of Artwork Help Fund Research Center

The event was sponsored by Sustainable Seacoast, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, and the Great Bay Waterkeeper with Conservation Law Foundation. Local artist Ragko showcased his amazing artwork that connected us to water. Sales of his artwork went towards the creation of an independent Huilliche-Mapuche research center in southern Chile.

We stay involved with groups like The Green Alliance to help towards our goal of making little to no negative impact on the environment.

The Green Cocoon suggests you monitor the health of your roof

Monitor the Health of Your Roof During the Winter

Home Maintenance Tips

Many cities across the country were hit with a major winter storm last week, and for some, it was the first big one of the season. One area of the house that gets hit the hardest during a winter storm is the roof. Make sure to monitor the health of your roof during the winter to make sure it is strong enough to take the brunt of bad weather. If the snow isn’t melting quickly, it means that heat from your home isn’t escaping through your attic floors and then transferring from your roof to the exteriors. That means your roof is doing its job!

Bare spots and icicles mean heat is escaping

If your roof gets a decent amount of snow on it, make sure it’s not melting in specific spots. That means there’s heat loss likely due to poor insulation and/or ventilation in the attic. If that is the case, give us a call once the snow melts.

After a snowfall, every homeowner should take a look at their roof and check for hot spots—areas on the roof where the snow has melted. It’s normal for some melting around venting and fireplace exhausts, but you shouldn’t see any bare patches on your roof. A snow-covered roof means your insulation is doing its job.[1] If not, it’s time for a new insulation package!

Also, keep an eye out for icicles—another sign of heat loss. If your roof is warm enough to melt the snow but it’s cold enough outside for snow to refreeze, your roof is losing heat. That’s not healthy for your energy bills or the environment.

Remove some snow if it gets too deep

What about the weight of snow? If there’s ice too, that can be a heavy load. Add the weight of two layers of shingles and that’s one roof no one would want over their head. Generally, most roofs max out at about 20 pounds of snow per square foot, which translates to around two feet of wet snow or up to four feet of light, fluffy snow.[2]

Once you start hitting those levels, you may want to think about removing the snow. Otherwise, it could potentially cause your roof to cave in, which is a terrible experience in any weather, but particularly during subzero temperatures. Still, you can’t exactly get on top of your roof with a snow shovel. If you have an asphalt roof, you run the risk of doing serious damage to your shingles, which can cause your roof to leak afterwards—and all kinds of havoc as a consequence.2

If you don’t have the proper equipment to remove the snow yourself, hire a roofing contractor to safely handle the removal for you. It generally only costs about $100 to $300, and it will save your roof a lot of wear and tear.[3]

Install an ice and water shield

We suggest you install an ice and water shield over the first four feet of roof, on top of the sheathing—not just along the edges near gutters. This adds a second layer of protection against leaks and moisture where ice dams may occur, so if water gets in below the shingles the sheathing is watertight.

Another reason to add an ice and water shield is it seals around nails, unlike tar paper, roofing felt, or asphalt paper. If you have shingles on your roof, as most North American homes do, for every nail that goes through the tar paper there’s a tiny hole — an open invitation for water in your attic.

Check your attic (and garage) after a storm too. If you see frost on the sheathing it’s not a good sign. It means your attic isn’t properly vented for your specific insulation type or it is lacking insulation all together, which could lead to mold or rot. If you see any signs of mold or rot in your roof, call a professional remediation company.

Your roof and attic are crucial when it comes to protecting your home over the winter. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to make sure your insulation package is up-to-date.

[1] National Post (Feb. 7, 2015). Snow piling up on your house is a good indicator of the roof's condition. Retrieved from nationalpost.com.

[2] Modernize (2019). Is Snow Good or Bad for Your Roof? Retrieved from modernize.com.

[3] Cost Owl (2019). How Much Does Roof Snow Removal Cost? Retrieved from costowl.com.

The Green Cocoon Sponsors Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K

The Green Cocoon Sponsors Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K

Giving Back, News and Awards

The Green Cocoon was a sponsor of Rett’s Roost (Rett’s) 2019 Superhero 5K held on September 22 at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Rett’s is a nonprofit that helps children with cancer and their families.

Sponsoring this event has become a tradition for The Green Cocoon. We’ve been a sponsor for the last few years and plan to continue to do so as long as possible.

Because of the theme “Superhero 5K,” there were many people dressed in brightly-colored costumes. Due to the fundraising efforts of so many volunteers, over $18,000 was raised for Rett’s retreats!

Thank you to everyone who came out to run/walk, who donated their time and money and to Capstone Photography for taking such great photos from the day.

See you next year!

The Green Cocoon Sponsors Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K
Candace Lord, Vice President of The Green Cocoon, enjoyed running the Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K
Green Cocoon Costumes from Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K
The Green Cocoon Sponsors Rett’s Roost 2019 Superhero 5K
The Green Cocoon Team - Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

News and Awards

Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. – Ernest Hemingway

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate life, love, and luck. It is a time to be grateful for family and friends. It is a time to gather around the dinner table and realize how fortunate it is to have food on it.

Days, weeks, and sometimes months go by without giving thanks for what one has, and it is understandable, given how busy everybody’s schedule is these days – especially during the holiday season. We've strayed far away from the meaning of Thanksgiving. We often take for granted our paychecks and possessions, our children and parents, our happiness and health. It is easy to overlook in modern-day society. But, perhaps that is what makes Thanksgiving special.

As we gather together with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to share how profoundly grateful we are every day to be working alongside such an incredible team.

For most of us, the centerpiece of Thanksgiving is a wonderful dinner. This holiday is a time for reflection, so it’s a good time to recognize that every meal gives us an opportunity to listen to each other’s stories and share each other’s lives. Gratitude is a common theme in the stories shared in our job sites and break rooms. And we at The Green Cocoon have much to be grateful for: operating in New England with its abundant natural beauty, meaningful work, supportive friendships with our colleagues, and the incredible teamwork that makes our customers happy and content.

Gratitude for each other and the important work that we share is at the top of our list this Thanksgiving. With thanks and appreciation for all our team does and for all of our customers, who put their faith in us every day.

The Green Cocoon will be closed for Thanksgiving Day and the day after to give our team and families a long weekend together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

a pile of fiberglass insulation from a clients home

Why We Say, “Don’t Use Fiberglass Insulation!”

Insulation Tips

We recently got a call from a homeowner who wanted their attic insulation replaced. Their old fiberglass insulation was wet and dirty and needed to be replaced. Not only that, it had originally been installed upside down, leading to moisture problems.  We weren’t surprised by this situation as we get calls for help all the time. Our advice is to do it right the first time. That's why we say, "Don’t use fiberglass insulation!!

In cold climates fiberglass just won’t do

Fiberglass insulation is significantly cheaper than spray foam insulation, but it is also less effective, especially in extremely warm conditions. Summers in New England regularly hit above 100°F. Spray foam is more expensive, but you get your money back within five years.[1]

Used in roughly 85% of American homes, fiberglass insulation is the most common form of home insulation. Spray foam insulation has less market share, but is increasing in popularity.[2]  Why? Because it is MUCH better and you pay once. Professional installation is required for spray foam insulation, but hey, would you have the plumber fix your broken tooth?

Energy efficiency of fiberglass vs. spray foam

The composition of fiberglass insulation does not stop air from passing through it. On average, more than 30% of heat or air conditioning escapes where fiberglass insulation is installed. If poorly installed, fiberglass can also leave spaces around fixtures, allowing even more heating or cooling to escape.

Spray foam insulation fills all spaces, preventing air from escaping. It acts as an air barrier. Spray foam insulation is significantly more efficient than fiberglass and has a higher R-value.[3]

Problems with fiberglass

Incorrect installation – Failing to fill the wall cavities and compressing the batts are two of the most prevalent installation mistakes. They’re also the leading causes of poor performance, which is why some green building consultants, architects, and builders recommend other products. Their answer for total fill: cellulose.[4]

In a recent project we repaired, the insulation was originally installed incorrectly. As a matter of fact, because it was installed incorrectly, the vapor barrier (the brown paper side) couldn’t do its job – to trap moisture against the floor. The raft paper has to be facing the conditioned space, in this case the attic floor.

It’s cheap – That means that many home builders can offer it to reduce the cost of the home. But don’t be fooled. You may pay less now, but you’ll pay more later, for sure.

Rodents love it! – Rodents prefer safe, warm, and sheltered environments – making the inside of your walls and attic the ideal home. Insulation that can be found in these places can be even more inviting since it is a source of warmth for the scurrying critters. The malleability of fiberglass insulation makes it easy for a nest to be made, and insulation can be moved where ever needed. Once one nest is established and a rodent is comfortable enough, a colony of rodents can soon follow. With the displacement of materials, you could see a difference in the heating as warm air can now escape from your house in those areas.[5]

Length of life

Fiberglass insulation can last several years, but during that time it loses its effectiveness and you never have a complete seal against air flow. The level of effectiveness also depends if any moisture is present. You may need to replace this type of insulation or add to it as it settles and deteriorates over time.

Spray foam, on the other hand, can last as long as 80 years or more. It’s a much more permanent and effective option. While you’ll pay more up front, the longevity and efficiency of spray foam make it a very cost-effective option. [6]

In closing, when it comes to which is best in the spray foam insulation vs. fiberglass debate, spray foam wins, hands down. If you’re a DIYer, you may be used to installing fiberglass insulation. But if you’re looking for something that will last a lifetime, let a professional install spray foam. [7]

[1] The Green Cocoon (2019). Invest in Insulation. Retrieved from thegreencocoon.com.
[2] Diffen (2019). Fiberglass Insulation vs. Spray Foam Insulation. Retrieved from diffen.com.
[3] Diffen, Fiberglass
[4] Probuilder (2015). Home Insulation Choices: Fiberglass, Cellulose, or Foam? Retrieved from probuilder.com.
[5] Apple Pest Control (2017). Rodents and Your Insulation. Retrieved from applepestcontrol.com.
[6] Good Life Energy Savers (2018). Spray Foam Insulation vs Fiberglass: What’s the Difference? Retrieved from goodlifeenergysavers.com.
[7] Good Life Energy Savers. Spray Foam

The Green Cocoon is certified as an elite service company on HomeAdvisor

The Green Cocoon Receives HomeAdvisor’s Elite Service Professional Badge

News and Awards

The Green Cocoon, LLC. (TGC) is excited to announce that it was awarded HomeAdvisor’s “Elite Service Professional” badge. HomeAdvisor gave TGC the award for having a minimum of five reviews with a 5-star rating, among other criteria listed below.

“We are so excited to receive this award and right on the heels of receiving the Top-Rated Professional badge last month,” said Jim Materkowski, President and owner of TGC. “Thank you to our incredible team and wonderful customers.”

What Must a Business Do to Merit an “Elite Service Professional” Badge?

HomeAdvisor lays out a specific set of guidelines that a business must meet to receive permission to display a badge. Moreover, how does a business earn the title “Elite Service Professional”? HomeAdvisor requires that a business have:

  • Have a minimum of five reviews with a 5-star rating
  • Overall customer service rating of 4.5 or better
  • No homeowner complaints in the last six months
  • Reviews from homeowners you’ve done work for

Customers’ Feedback Is Important

In summary, TGC is constantly striving to bring its customers the fastest, most efficient, and friendliest service. The team at TGC pays close attention to customers’ feedback. Furthermore, badges like these show us that the company is headed in the right direction.

Contact us for fast, efficient, and friendly insulation services you can trust!

The Green Cocoon Receives HomeAdvisor’s Top-Rated Professional Badge

News and Awards

The Green Cocoon, LLC. (TGC) is excited to announce that it was awarded HomeAdvisor’s “Top-Rated Professional” badge. HomeAdvisor gave TGC the award for having a 4.9 out of 5-star rating, among other criteria below.

“Thank you to our incredible team and wonderful customers,” said Jim Materkowski, President and owner of TGC. “These badges aren’t given out to just any company. Not to mention you must meet certain criteria to receive this award.”

What Must a Business Do to Merit a “Top Rated Professional” Badge?

HomeAdvisor lays out a specific set of guidelines that a business must meet to receive permission to display a badge. Moreover, how does a business earn the title “Top Rated Professional?" HomeAdvisor requires that a business have:

  • A minimum of five reviews
  • A minimum overall rating of 4.0 or better (we have a 4.9 rating!)
  • More than 90% of homeowners that leave you a review would recommend you
  • No homeowner complaints
  • Reviews only from homeowners you’ve done work for

Customers’ Feedback Is Important

In summary, The Green Cocoon is constantly striving to bring its customers the fastest, most efficient, and friendliest service. The team at TGC pays close attention to customers' feedback. Furthermore, badges like these show us that the company is headed in the right direction.

View TGC’s HomeAdvisor profile and reviews.

Contact us for fast, efficient, and friendly insulation services you can trust!

Candace Lord and Jim Materkowski, owners of the Green Cocoon, attended breast cancer awareness event.

The Green Cocoon Attends Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Giving Back, News and Awards

The Green Cocoon (TGC) owners Jim Materkowski and Candace Lord attended a breast cancer awareness event, “Evening by the Sea.” The event was held on August 11, 2019 at Wentworth by the Sea in Rye, NH. Moreover, it was a fundraiser put on by My Breast Cancer Support. The nonprofit organization provides financial and emotional support to breast cancer patients. These patients live not only in the Greater Seacoast area of New Hampshire but also in Southern Maine.

Giving Back

“The team at The Green Cocoon not only loves working in our community, but also working with our community,” said Lord, herself a breast cancer survivor. “Awareness is very important to me as I am currently undergoing chemotherapy with one treatment left. Furthermore, my prognosis is great and I want to do whatever I can to help other women going through the same thing. Equally important is early detection.”

At the fundraiser attendees enjoyed music, complimentary champagne, hearty appetizers, dessert tastings, and gourmet coffees. Not to mention they were able to bid on silent auction items as well as win raffle gifts.

Candace Lord at My Breast Cancer Awareness giving back event
The Green Cocoon owners Jim Materkowski and Candace Lord attended a breast cancer awareness event, “Evening by the Sea.”
Gabby with her hat at Evening by the Sea Giving Back Event
Gabby with her hat at Evening by the Sea Giving Back Event
The Green Cocoon owner Jim Materkowski with his friend Amy at the Evening by the Sea giving back event
The Green Cocoon owner Jim Materkowski with his friend Amy at the Evening by the Sea giving back event
Photo of hemp Insulation. The Green Cocoon writes about Hemp Insulation

Insulation of the Future: The Green Cocoon Investigates Hemp

Insulation Tips

The United States demand for insulation is estimated to rise 3.7 percent per year to approximately $9.5 billion by 2021.[i] And with so much demand, new types of insulation are being tested for the future. We will focus on one—Hemp.

According to Green Building Advisor, “Two North American companies are producing insulation for residential construction from locally sourced hemp fiber. This gives builders an alternative to fiberglass, plastic foams, and other more conventional materials.”[ii]

Europe Has More Access to Hemp

In Europe, builders have access to hemp insulation, but availability has been limited in the U.S.  Some U.S. builders have toyed with a mix of hemp fibers and lime called “hempcrete.” But, because of U.S. laws, extensive use of industrial hemp has been blocked.

One Canadian company capable of producing threadlike hemp insulation on a commercial scale is Montreal-based MEM Inc.  Not far behind producing hemp fiber insulation is a biomaterials supplier in Louisville, Kentucky, called Sunstrand. And, new on the scene is Nature Fibres, a Canadian company based in Quebec. [iii] The interesting fact about Nature Fibres is they moved into Asbestos, Quebec, to start up their business. The town was named after asbestos because of the former industry in town. But, due to the associated health risks, those manufacturing facilities are closing their doors.

Benefits of Using Hemp

The benefits of using Hemp for insulation are many. It is biodegradable and has a very long service life. “Walls opened up in France 50 years after construction showed hemp insulation looking essentially brand new.” Hemp is composed mostly of a natural fiber (88% hemp fiber and 12% polyester fiber) with no chemical binders and no VOC (volatile organic compounds) off-gassing. As a result, it allows water vapor to pass through it. and is naturally repellant to rodents and insects.

It is clear that with all the changes in the market and with regulations, the insulation industry needs to keep up with demand and changing times. The Green Cocoon is a company that looks to help people lower their carbon footprint by increasing their home's efficiency. We do this while using the greenest products available on the market.

[i] Walls & Ceilings (2019, August 6). An Optimistic Look into the Insulation Future. Retrieved from wconline.com.
[ii] Green Building Advisor (2018, March 8). Hemp Insulation Comes to North America. Retrieved from greenbuildingadvisor.com
[iii] Eco Home (2018, October 19). Hemp Insulation in Canada & USA – Insulating Naturally Is an Eco-Friendly Alternative. Retrieved from ecohome.net.

The Green Cocoon is using closed cell spray foam for this project.

No Fossil Fuels Needed for Newton, Mass. Restoration Project

Projects

Newton, Mass. – The Green Cocoon, Inc. (TGC) was recently awarded an insulation project for a home in Newton, Mass. The original home, built in the early 1900s, is being fully renovated, gutted completely to the studs. Once completed, solar panels will be installed in the home and it will run on 100 percent electricity. Consequently, this house will not use any fossil fuels!

Closed cell spray foam was used on this project, specifically Gaco HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) spray foam. HFO closed cell spray foam is a reformulated version of spray polyurethane foam. But, the reformulated version has only a tiny fraction of the global warming potential of its predecessor.  HFO is a blowing agent and is an essential ingredient in spray foam insulation. It creates the tiny bubbles of trapped gas that slow the movement of heat and make foam such a good insulator with a very high R-value. But the most common blowing agent in spray polyurethane foam today, a hydrofluorocarbon, has a global warming potential (GWP) more than 1,000 times that of carbon dioxide. The newer type of blowing agent has a GWP of 1.[i]

“We have been using an eco-friendly closed cell spray foam for quite some time,” said Candace Lord, Green Cocoon Vice President. “It reduces excess waste and energy consumption in buildings by up to 50 percent while adding rigidity and strength to the structure. The R-value is over 7 per inch, and it has a greater resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. It is a perfect vapor barrier in both summer and winter.”

The contract was awarded by Essex Restoration, a residential building and remodeling company in Wilmington, Mass. They have been working with TGC for over two years on restoration and renovation projects.

[i] Green Building Advisor (2017, February 9). Next Generation Spray Foams Trickle into the Market. Retrieved from greenbuildingadvisor.com

The sign from Essex Restoration, who is working on this project with The Green Cocoon
The sign from Essex Restoration, who is working on this project with The Green Cocoon
The Green Cocoon 2019 Newton MA Restoration Project
The Green Cocoon 2019 Newton MA Restoration Project
The Green Cocoon used closed cell spray foam on this project.
The Green Cocoon used closed cell spray foam on this project.
The Green Cocoon used closed cell spray foam on this room.
The Green Cocoon used closed cell spray foam on this room.
A photo of the home being renovated and The Green Cocoon truck.
A photo of the home being renovated and The Green Cocoon truck.
The Green Cocoon added closed cell spray foam to this room.
The Green Cocoon added closed cell spray foam to this room.
The Green Cocoon is using closed cell spray foam for this project.
The Green Cocoon is using closed cell spray foam for this project.
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