For homeowners in Richmond Hill who are considering home insulation, it’s a good idea to understand the basic concepts. Home insulation is about eliminating heat transfer. The professionals use the term “heat flow” when referring to heat transfer, but whatever the term used, heat transfer is unwanted in a home. In winter, it will mean that warm indoor air is escaping out. And in summer, it will mean that hot outdoor air is creeping indoors. Neither of these situations is desirable. Heat transfer causes energy inefficiency in the home, and will invariably result in utility bills that are higher than they have to be.
Insulation professionals look at a home as a building “envelope". And since homes are built with a wide range of building materials, that building “envelope" impacts heat transfer - sometimes in a positive way, sometimes in a negative way. For homeowners considering insulation, the elimination of heat transfer should be a priority. This can be achieved with a product like fiberglass batt insulation or fiberglass loose fill insulation, but whichever the product, eliminating heat transfer should be the aim. Energy efficiency will be improved, energy costs will be reduced, and the savings will ensure a good investment.
The objectives for insulating a residential home are straightforward: to prevent air movement; to stop moisture collection; and to enhance R-Value. And regardless of the insulation product used, it’s recommended to go with a professional approach – it will ensure the maximum performance for both product and installation.
In Canada and throughout the northern United States, fiberglass insulation is one of the more popular products for residential application. Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are both used to insulate roofs and attics. When properly installed, both products provide acceptable R-Value, and will improve energy efficiency from season to season. Product life is satisfactory, and R-Values are maintained for many years.
For the best product performance, a professional install is recommended. This is because installing an effective “thermal blanket” requires experience and expertise. For example, fiberglass batt insulation has to be installed methodically for the product to perform. Similarly, fiberglass loose fill insulation has to be strategically blown in so that density and uniformity allow for product performance. Both product installations require proficiency.
Fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation are safe products for residential use. They are non- corrosive, non-combustible, asbestos free, and odor-free. The brand name products contain substantial amounts of recycled material, and have been air-quality certified for residential use. For the most part, neither of the products will retain moisture in small quantities, and won’t settle demonstrably over the years.
Fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation don’t provide a hospitable environment for rodents or insects. Neither do they provide a nourishing environment for mold to grow. With good ventilation, and a proper install, fiberglass insulation does not deteriorate over the years. Cost wise, fiberglass insulation products are affordable, providing an installation that is cost-effective and with measurable cost savings.
Fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation will not fully address the issues of air movement or moisture collection when installed. In some cases, this could be problematic, and may have an impact when an insulation project includes the roof or attic. Here, a dialogue with the contractor is recommended.
Even when fiberglass is professionally installed, there is some potential for air movement. Neither fiberglass loose fill insulation nor fiberglass batt insulation can actually seal a space. It means that the completed insulated space will not be sealed 100%. Here again, a dialogue with the contractor would be recommended.
Wet fiberglass insulation is a problem. Wet fiberglass will lose its product integrity, and consequently its R-Value. With time, wet fiberglass will also deteriorate. Once deterioration has set in, the insulation will have to be removed (better done professionally) so as to prevent a host of other problems from further developing.
Wet fiberglass insulation can also be a potential breeding ground for mold growth. And when this is unnoticed or disregarded, things can quickly get out of control and affect indoor air quality. Here again, the insulation has to be removed where contaminated, and the mold infiltration must be professionally remediated.
Because of the inherent weaknesses of the fiberglass products, spray foam insulation has emerged as another option for residential insulation. A spray foam application creates an impermeable “envelope” – it prevents air movement and impedes moisture accumulation. In fact, spray foam seals more effectively than any insulation product on the market today.
Air leakage is problematic for every insulation professional. As such, stopping air leakage is integral to a proper insulation project. With spray foam, an installer can ensure an airtight space that has the highest R-Value rating of any product on the market. The result - spray foam insulation has become the contractor’s product-of-choice for roofs, attics, and basements.
Spray foam continues to be a superior insulating product when compared. With one application there are more short term and long-term benefits than any of the other insulation options. This is why many contractors are advocating spray foam as a good investment for the long term.
The thing is, spray foam may not be compatible with all homeowner budgets. That’s why the team at Great Northern Insulation developed their “hybrid” installation. It’s an approach that combines one of the fibreglass products with spray foam insulation into one application.
For homeowners in Richmond Hill, and in surrounding communities, the “hybrid” installation provides excellent results within a project budget that is cost-effective. The “pay-back” period makes the investment worthwhile, and the seasonal utility savings make a noticeable difference.
The team at Great Northern Insulation assures customer satisfaction, regardless of the insulation product that’s chosen. What’s most important, however, is that all products and installations are guaranteed.