For a typical homeowner in Burlington, understanding home insulation begins with understanding the basics of heat transfer (also known as heat flow). Heat transfer, regardless of season, is undesirable. In winter, it means that warm indoor air is leaking out. In summer, it means that hot air from the outside is creeping in. Both are undesirable, and both will result in energy inefficiency. And at the end of the day, energy inefficiency will result in spending more money on utilities. A home is a building “envelope" – it is constructed with building materials that will affect heat transfer in a positive way or a negative way.
For homeowners thinking about insulation, the overriding objective should be to eliminate any undesirable heat transfer. Whatever the product choice - fiberglass batt insulation or fiberglass loose fill insulation - achieving this objective will conserve energy every season, and will reduce energy cost. For every homeowner, insulation should be about achieving a few essential things: inhibiting air movement; restricting moisture accumulation; and measurably boosting the R-Value throughout. When it comes to the actual installation, a professional install is the recommended approach – it will ensure the very best results.
For many years, fiberglass insulation has been a popular product across Canada. Fiberglass batt insulation is the one that’s most often used in roofs and attics. Fiberglass loose fill insulation is a different type of product, but also used in roofs and attics. Both products can deliver quite adequate R-Values, and both products can improve energy efficiency from one season to the next. In the right conditions, these products have adequate lifespans, and will maintain their R-Value for years. Professionals find the products easy to manage and install.
For the best performance results, fiberglass products should be professionally installed. In short, the products and installation require some expertise. Fiberglass batts require strategic placement and proper installation. Loose-fill insulation must be installed with uniform density and concentration. Both of the fiberglass products can be used as a “top up” for existing insulation, but only if the insulation is clean and dry. With a professional install, an effective “thermal blanket” will serve to restrict any air movement that is undesirable.
In general, fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation don’t retain small amounts of moisture. Properly installed, neither product will settle much over time, and both will maintain their R-Value for many years. Fiberglass batts and fiberglass loose fill are safe products - they are non-combustible; non-corrosive; odor-free; and asbestos free. They contain significant recycled content and most brands are air-quality certified.
Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation do not provide a friendly environment for mold, or a good feeding environment for insects and rodents. With a professional installation, and within a dry, ventilated environment, fiberglass insulation will not deteriorate. In terms of a home improvement project budget, both products are affordable and cost-effective, and will deliver cost savings on utilities throughout the seasons.
There are several disadvantages when using fiberglass products. To begin with, none of the fiberglass products fully address air movement and moisture collection – they are not 100% effective in this regard. When dealing with areas like the roof or attic, this would be something to discuss with the installation contractor.
Even with near perfect installation, fiberglass batts and loose-fill insulation will allow for air movement. Neither of the two products will entirely seal a space. Unfortunately for the homeowner, this specific disadvantage will make for an insulated space that is not 100% sealed – again, something to consider with the contractor.
Fiberglass loose-fill insulation and fiberglass batts do not perform well when wet. The product’s integrity is compromised, along with the R-Value. Furthermore, wet fiberglass insulation will eventually deteriorate. This situation will require insulation removal, and if not, there’s a risk of serious problems further developing.
When fiberglass insulation is seriously water-penetrated, it could promote mold growth. This must be properly remediated so that mold growth is stopped and spreading is prevented. Mold can eventually affect air quality in the home, meaning that professional remediation is a necessary course of action for a good outcome.
Because of the recognized disadvantages of fiberglass, many installers are going with spray foam as a workable alternative. A professional install will ensure a space that is 100% sealed - an impervious barrier that impedes air movement and prevents moisture collection. Spray foam overcomes the drawbacks of fiberglass insulation. Indeed, a proper spray foam installation will seal gaps and cracks far better than any product on the market.
For professional contractors, air leakage is the main problem when insulating. The idea is to stop warm air from leaking out of the home (in winter), and preventing hot air from coming into the home (in summer). With spray foam, air leakage is eliminated, making it ideal for roof cavities, attics, and basements. Spray foam insulation assures an airtight space, with higher than average R-Values, and with improved energy efficiency overall.
Spray foam insulation is clearly the best product available. It delivers more benefits than other comparable products and provides an “insulation envelope” with the highest R-Value possible. As a result, more contractors are opting for spray foam in residential, as well as commercial installations.
Spray foam is considered a premium product, and might therefore not be suited for all budgets. In response, Great Northern Insulation has developed a “hybrid” install - one that incorporates the benefits of the fibreglass product and the superior benefits of the spray foam product. It’s cost-effective, and with excellent “pay-back”.
For homeowners in Burlington, and throughout the region, Great Northern Insulation can readily recommend an insulation option that is best. And whether it’s fiberglass batt insulation, fiberglass loose fill insulation, or spray foam insulation, the GNI team will make certain to both product and installation deliver results.