At Great Northern Insulation, one of our specialities is blown in insulation. We use two of the most common products - cellulose and fiberglass - and install only the highest quality products available. We always pass the manufacturer’s warrantee through to our customers, and we always guarantee our installations, and ensure full customer satisfaction. Quite simply, we stand behind everything that we sell and install. We are always advising customers about which kind of insulation they should be installing - and the specific reasons behind our advice. Our people never sell or up-sell a customer on an insulation project that they either don’t need or don’t want – and we are not averse to letting a customer know that an insulation choice, in their particular case, is not even required. This is our adopted business approach, and applies to everything we do.
If you are shopping for blown in insulation in Etobicoke, Great Northern Insulation is certainly an insulation contractor that is well worth considering. We do the job the right way the first time, providing a workable and cost-effective solution to meet a customer’s requirements as well as the budget. We do our best to make sure that an insulation challenge is addressed, and that long-term benefits can be realized.
As mentioned, the two most used blown in products in the market, are cellulose and fiberglass. Both of these products are factory-designed to be used in roofing, in attics, and when required, inside walls. Clearly, each of the brand manufacturers tends to support, promote and market their proprietary product and the consequent advantages. When it comes to insulation value, cellulose and fiberglass are both comparable, although industry statistics point to cellulose as having slightly higher R-values than fibreglass - this comparison is based on a per-inch basis. It is also known that over a long term, cellulose can settle, and this settling could well affect the relative insulation value. The fiberglass industry, in comparison, makes a case that fibreglass doesn’t settle over long periods, resulting in no loss of insulating value. In the end, whatever the choice, each product has a set of unique qualities when they react and respond to seasonal weather conditions.
Cellulose and fiberglass are both fabricated to be fire resistant – the cellulose product is chemically treated to resist fire, and is a retardant that keeps fire from spreading - the fiberglass product, which is composed of “glass”, is very difficult to ignite, and as a result provides a very high level of fire resistance. As for product composition, cellulose blown in insulation is composed of shredded newsprint (recycled) and is usually treated with chemicals that are anti-fungal. The recycled paper is separated into cellulose fibres (fiberized), which gives it insulating capacity. The fiberglass product is completely different – it’s manufactured from glass fibres - a proprietary process that creates a product with distinct properties including its insulating features. In terms of application and installation, both cellulose and fiberglass are blown into a cavity, using special equipment that distributes the product uniformly into the cavity. It’s a straightforward process by which a hose mechanism blows the insulation into a cavity, assuring coverage into even the smallest cracks and crevices. Cellulose and fiberglass can both be installed over existing insulation.
At GNI, we work with our customers from beginning to end, making sure that they are completely satisfied. The process begins by choosing the right product for the job at hand; we then arrange for the installation and consider the customer’s personal lifestyle and schedule so we can work around; and finally, when installing takes place, we always adhere to industry construction standards and building codes that are in effect. Our installers know and understand that the performance of the product they are installing is dependent on the quality of their installation.
Our business approach is to do it right the first time. We therefore use the tools and equipment that best match the project, and we always address the safety of the occupants and our installers. Doing it right the first time also includes doing the job in total, and that often includes some additional work. By example, the job may require some form of air sealing or draft proofing; as well, there may be a need for a proper vapour barrier to be installed; or, it may be necessary for new air vents and air exhausts to be installed. It’s exactly this kind of added work that defines a “total” job, and is required in order to deliver the full integrity of the product that is being installed.
GNI has many customers who ask for eco-friendly products. Sometimes it’s simply a desire to be eco-conscious; in other cases, it’s about personal health; or it could be for sustainability concerns; and many times it’s about the product’s composition. For blown in insulation, the cellulose product contains very high levels of recycled paper, so by definition, it’s recycled. With the fiberglass product, it’s manufactured using recycled glass, which makes it eco-friendly itself. But today, most manufacturers are quite aware of the eco-consumer, and are doing what they can to accommodate.
The benefits of blown in insulation are also quite straightforward. Most importantly, it’s the very nature of the insulation that is advantageous – virtually no area remains unfilled when the products are blown into place - there are practically no gaps, cracks, or crevices that are without insulation. This is not the case with other insulation products. In fact, the blown insulation results in total coverage, which includes protruding beams, wiring, cables, plumbing and pipes. This is the kind of coverage professionals call “a true insulated building envelope”. And when our job is done, the insulation contributes to the overall enhanced performance of the indoor environment.
In general, blown insulation is an easier install than many of the other options. Because of the kind of equipment used, the product composition, and the ease of application, this install is less prone to problems, and becomes an affordable option. So if you’re shopping for blown in insulation in Etobicoke, GNI is certainly a contractor worth your consideration.