Two suburban insulation installers compete to be 'America's Best'

Two suburban men who install insulation for a living have a shot at winning $10,000 in a national competition this week.

Jim Lutchen of Wilkin Insulation Co. in Mount Prospect and Luis DeLuna from Residential Commercial Insulation Inc. of Round Lake Beach will be among the contestants in the America's Best Installer derby starting Thursday at Exdo Event Center in Denver. The winner will receive $10,000.

DeLuna, Lutchen and their other competitors will start with preliminary rounds. The field will be narrowed to a final four for Saturday.

Wilkin Insulation president Mike Wilkin said Lutchen was selected to represent the family company based on the high quality of his work, neatness, positive customer feedback and other factors. It'll be the fifth consecutive year Wilkin Insulation has an employee in America's Best Installer.

Wilkin said not much cheering occurs while the installers use hand-applied blanket insulation for a mock home structure. The contestants also must deal with construction obstacles, including electrical outlets and pipes.

"It's real reserved," he said. "It's pretty intense. You don't want to make your guy nervous."

Industry experts serve as judges and evaluate the contestants based actual job-site criteria.

Everyone in the final four receives cash. First place is worth $10,000, with $5,000 for second, $3,500 for third and $2,500 for fourth.

Launched in 2003 by building products manufacturer Johns Manville and Insulate America, the competition was designed to call attention to what the organizers say is the importance of what the installers do to boost energy efficiency and decrease energy waste in houses.

"We're proud to recognize the skilled installers who continue to raise the bar in the quality of installations to ensure a more energy efficient and comfortable home," Johns Manville marketing executive Danelle DeGroodt said.