For the typical homeowner, understanding home insulation starts with an understanding of heat transfer - also referred to as heat flow. In a residential home, heat transfer is undesirable. It means that in the winter, warm air from the inside is leaking out. And in the summer, it means that hot air is creeping in from the outside. Both of these scenarios are undesirable - and both contribute to the home’s energy inefficiency. And the bottom line with energy inefficiency is costlier utilities. The professionals look at every home as a building “envelope" – it’s a construct of building materials that will positively or negatively affect heat transfer throughout the “envelope”.
For homeowners considering fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation, the primary aim should be to eliminate heat transfer. Whatever the insulation product chosen, achieving this aim will serve to conserve energy from season to season, and will certainly reduce energy costs throughout the year. Insulating the home should be about accomplishing a few essentials: constraining the movement of air; restricting the accumulation of moisture; and boosting the R-Value beyond existing levels. And when it comes to installation, the best results (both short term and long term) are realized with a professional install – it’s a highly recommended approach.
Over the years, fibreglass insulation products have become a popular product option throughout North America. Fibreglass batt insulation has become a favorite for roofs and attics, while fibreglass loose fill insulation has also gained popularity as an insulating option. Both of these products deliver satisfactory R-Value, and both improve energy efficiency during the winter and summer months. Under the right conditions, both products have satisfactory lifespans, and maintain R-Value for many years.
To achieve optimum performance, these fibreglass products should be installed professionally. This is because the product and the installation both require expertise. Fibreglass batts, for instance, require placement that is strategic, while loose-fill insulation requires uniform concentration and distribution. Both products can be used to “top up” existing insulation, as long as the insulation is clean, dry and uncontaminated. Fibreglass insulation provides a very effective “thermal blanket” in any given space.
For the most part, neither fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation retain moisture in small amounts. When properly installed, the products do not settle dramatically over time, and will maintain R-Value for a good many years. Both of the fibreglass products are safe; odor-free; non-combustible; and non-corrosive. Both are asbestos free and contain substantial recycled materials. Most of top brands are air-quality certified.
Fibreglass batt insulation and fibreglass loose fill insulation do not provide an hospitable environment for mold, and don’t offer a feeding sustenance for either insects or rodents. Professionally installed in a dry and well-ventilated environment, fibreglass insulation does not deteriorate over time. And in terms of project budget, both of these products are affordable and cost-effective, delivering utility savings throughout the seasons.
Fibreglass insulation products pose several disadvantages. To begin with, neither fibreglass batts nor loose-fill insulation completely address air movement or moisture collection. In this regard, they are not 100% effective. And for areas like the roof cavity or attic space, this aspect should be discussed with the installation contractor.
Even with a professional install, fibreglass batts and loose-fill insulation (on their own) will still allow for some air movement. Neither seals up a space completely. And for the homeowner, this disadvantage will result in an insulated space that isn’t 100% sealed. Once again, this is something to discuss with the installation contractor.
Another disadvantage is wetness - loose-fill insulation and fibreglass batts cannot withstand wetness. Product integrity is compromised, as is R-Value. Beyond that, fibreglass insulation that is wet will deteriorate. This will require removal of the insulation, and if delayed, there is risk of more serious problems.
When pockets of fibreglass insulation are seriously waterlogged, it’s an environment where mold can grow. This type of situation must be remediated so that the mold is eradicated entirely. Unattended, mold can affect the air quality inside the home, and create serious health related problems for the occupants.
Because of the disadvantages of fibreglass, insulation professionals are choosing spray foam as an alternative. An expert install will assure a space that is completely sealed - an impervious envelope that is an air barrier and vapor barrier in one. Spray foam insulation actually overcomes all of the disadvantages of fibreglass insulation. In fact, a professional spray foam installation will effectively seal a space better than any other application.
For the professional contractor, air leakage is the main challenge when insulating. The challenge is to stop warm air from leaking out in winter, and prevent hot air from coming in during summer. A spray foam application will eliminate air leakage completely. It’s therefore ideal for the roof, the attic, and even the basement. Spray foam ensures an airtight space, higher-than-average R-Value levels, and improved energy efficiency year round.
Spray foam insulation is recognized as the best product on the market. It brings more benefits to a space than any comparable product, and provides the highest R-Value when installed. That’s why more and more insulation contractors are opting for the spray foam product in both residential and commercial applications.
However, since spray foam is a premium product, it might not suit every budget. Hence, the professionals at Great Northern Insulation have developed the “hybrid” installation. It incorporates the benefits of fibreglass and the superior benefits of spray foam in a cost-effective application, with an excellent “pay-back”.
For homeowners in Oakville, and in the surrounding communities, Great Northern Insulation can recommend the insulation option that will best suit. Whether it’s fibreglass loose fill insulation, fibreglass batt insulation, or spray foam, GNI will make sure that product and installation deliver the best long term results possible.