Understanding home insulation starts with a basic understanding of heat transfer – also known as heat flow. In most cases, heat transfer is undesirable - it means that warm air inside the home is escaping in the winter months, and outdoor heat is creeping into the house in summer. Both situations are undesirable and cause energy inefficiency. Bottom line, energy is lost and utility bills are costly. In short, every home is a "building envelope", constructed with materials that influence heat transfer - positively and negatively. The key is to effectively lessen the negatives.
For homeowners who are considering fibreglass loose fill insulation or fibreglass batt insulation in Etobicoke, insulating the home should be primarily about eliminating unwanted heat transfer. Accomplishing this will conserve energy and therefore reduce energy costs. Insulation should do a number of things to be effective: it should restrain air movement; restrict moisture collection; and measurably augment R-Values. Whatever the chosen insulation product, or install method, it’s highly recommended that professional expertise be employed to ensure the best outcomes.
Fibreglass insulation products are popular throughout North America. Fibreglass batt insulation is commonly installed in attics and walls, and fibreglass loose fill insulation is commonly “blown” into roof cavities and attics. Both of these installations will provide very acceptable R-Values, and will contribute to energy savings during the winter and summer months. Both of the fibreglass products have a lifecycle that is good, and when professionally installed, R-Values are maintained for a good many years. Installation contractors find these products easy to manage and install.
For optimum product performance, installing fibreglass products requires product expertise and installation experience. Fibreglass batts must be strategically placed, and uniformly distributed for best results. And loose-fill insulation must be properly dispersed for optimal density and concentration. Both of these products are suitable for “topping up” any existing insulation, but should not be installed where existing insulation is either damaged or deteriorating. With a professional installation, fibreglass provides a “thermal blanket” that reduces air movement.
In general, fibreglass batt insulation and fibreglass loose fill insulation will not retain water in small amounts. The products do not settle dramatically over time, and will therefore maintain R-Value for a good many years. Fibreglass products are safe to install in any space: both versions are odor-free, non-combustible, and non-corrosive. The fabrication process uses an impressive percentage of recycled content, and the popular brands are air-quality certified to ensure safety.
Fibreglass batt insulation and fibreglass loose fill insulation are fabricated to counter mold and mildew, and do not contain material that will provide food for either insects or rodents. Neither product contains asbestos. When properly installed in a dry, ventilated space, fibreglass is quite unlikely to deteriorate. As it is, fibreglass batts and loose fill are cost-affordable for most project budgets – both will deliver satisfactory insulation results and a cost-effective investment.
The product downsides of fibreglass are related to overall product performance. Simply put, fibreglass insulation does not fully address air movement or moisture control. These are key issues when installing in attic spaces, and should be considered.
Fibreglass batts and loose-fill are known to allow for some air movement – that’s just the nature of the both products. Therefore, air leakage will not be totally sealed once the insulation has been installed – and that means that the space is not 100% insulated.
When fibreglass batts or loose-fill insulation are wet, their integrity is compromised. R-value will suffer, and there is a high likelihood of product deterioration. A situation like this requires total removal of the damaged insulation to avoid further problems.
Beyond total wetness, moisture collection in fibreglass insulation could allow mold to develop. If this is not remediated properly, mold can spread and compromise the air quality in the home. In this case, professional remediation is an absolute requirement.
In addressing the downsides of fibreglass, professional contractors are opting for spray foam insulation as an alternative installation. The spray foam product will adhere to any surface, and will effectively coat even the most irregular of surfaces. Professionally installed, spray foam is ideal for creating a seamless air and vapor barrier, and will therefore overcome the inherent problems of fibreglass. In fact, spray foam insulation will seal up very little hole, opening and gap like no other insulation product on the market.
For the professional contractor, the biggest insulation issue to resolve is air leakage. In winter, the warm inside air escapes out, and in summer hot air from the outside creeps in. Both dynamics result in costly energy usage throughout the year. But with spray foam, air leakage is eliminated. In the attic or basement, spray foam can do it all with one application: making the space airtight; improving overall energy efficiency; and reducing energy consumption significantly. And for the homeowner, it means reduced utility costs.
Spray foam is by far the best insulating product on the market. With a professional install, more benefits are derived than any other comparable product. As a result, more and more insulation contractors are recommending spray foam to residential and commercial clients alike. The R-Values are unsurpassed, and the insulation envelope restricts both air and moisture.
As a premium product, spray foam is not suitable for all project budgets. As such, the experts at Great Northern Insulation will often recommend a “hybrid” approach. It’s a combination install that incorporates fibreglass insulation and spray foam insulation in one application. The products deliver excellent insulation, a cost-effective investment, and a satisfactory “pay-down” period.
For homeowners in the Etobicoke area, the team at Great Northern Insulation can recommend a workable option - whether it be fibreglass batt insulation, fibreglass loose fill insulation, or spray foam. And with a major project like insulation, its worth doing right the first time – using quality products, a quality approach to installation, and above all, professional expertise.