Seal of Approval: AirTite Insulation Prides Itself on Quality and Efficiency

Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Throughout the last few decades many people have increased their focus on environmental considerations. People of all walks of life are working hard to make the earth a better place to live - campaigns are underway to clean up the ocean, and energy plants are switching to cleaner, more sustainable forms of fuel. Closer to home, many families are shifting to low- or nowaste lifestyles to do their part to protect the environment.

The team at AirTite Insulation in Goshen is doing its best to help people meet their “green” goals. In particular, the staff is eager to help customers improve the energy efficiency in

their homes and businesses.

“AirTite was founded on using quality products and quality procedures,” explains Doug Stuckey, the company’s chief operating officer.

AirTite Insulation was originally started by two brothers before it was purchased by Miller’s Building Supply in 2015.

“[The original owners] built it using quality products and getting the job done,” Stuckey says. “When they wanted to get out of it, they came to us. It was a good fit. We’re a lumberyard and a family-run business with the same philosophy as AirTite.”

Since AirTite was already a successful business with a reputation for quality service and products, the decision was made to keep it as a separate business under the Miller’s umbrella.

Part of the company’s quality guarantee includes customer education.

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“We explain why we feel it is necessary to use the products that we use, or procedures that we use that are higher than code,” Stuckey says. “That being said, we are not the least expensive company out there. You pay for the quality that you’re getting in return.”

In the homeownership world, Stuckey says quality products end up paying for themselves.

“Insulation is probably one of the most critical areas in your home because it can affect monthly utility expense,” he says. Although insulation is important, it’s one aspect of homebuilding and remodeling that can be overlooked.

“It’s kind of out of sight, out of mind,” Stuckey says.

According to Stuckey, there are two main forms of insulation - fiberglass and cellulose. AirTite specializes in cellulose.

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“When most people think of insulation, they think of fiberglass,” Stuckey says. “We’re not opposed to fiberglass in certain areas, but we do feel that in certain applications, fiberglass can be an inferior product.”

What makes cellulose a sensible choice? Stuckey says one consideration is that it tends to be more environmentally friendly than fiberglass.

“Cellulose is predominately recycled paper products - magazines, newspapers, that kind of thing,” he says. “We’re not cutting down trees in order to produce it. We also have a product that we use that’s made from recycled blue jeans.”

Because these products are made into hammered fiber from recycled items, they are extremely dense, which creates an excellent sound barrier and improves the insulation’s energy efficiency.

“Most people would interpret that as dollars on your bill, but it comes down to how many therms you use in your gas and how many kilowatts you use in your electric,” Stuckey says.

The company also offers customers an energy efficiency guarantee. When a customer chooses to use this service, AirTite uses scientific calculations and thermal imaging to determine how much energy a building will save with improved insulation.

“It’s based on which way the house faces, how many windows are in it, and the heating unit you have,” Stuckey says, adding that all of AirTite’s customers who use the service have benefitted from it.

Stuckey and the rest of the AirTite staff thoroughly enjoy helping customers improve their homes. At the end of the day, Stuckey’s favorite part of his job is the community that has developed around the business.

“Over the years it’s those relationships that you build, and you gain their trust and vice versa - that’s really what it’s about,” he says. “Without that, it’s just another job.”

AirTite Insulation is located at at 2249 Lincolnway East in Goshen. For more info, visit airtite-insulation.com or call 574-825-5271.