66% of Canadian Energy Produced from Renewable Sources

May 10, 2017

In a study released May 2nd by the National Energy Board, it was found that two-thirds of Canadian energy is produced from renewable sources such as hydro and wind power. Of all the Canadian provinces and territories, the two largest producers of renewable energy are Ontario and Quebec, producing...

Elastochem Specialty Chemicals Inc.

February 24, 2017

by Rick Bartel - Branch Manager - GNI Essex Did you know that Elastochem specialty chemicals is the only Canadian owned & operated spray foam manufacturer? Established in 1987 by the DiLoreto family in Brantford, ON, Elastochem prides itself on being the manufacturer of high quality polyurethane...

Ontario's Climate Change Program May Change The Housing Market

January 31, 2017

The Province of Ontario may well be the first in Canada to make Home Energy Audits mandatory when properties are put up for sale. It's all part of the overall climate change policy, and is bound to affect many Ontario homeowners. The fundamentals are basic - when a residential home is put up for...

Keep Your Cottage Comfortable All Year Long

January 24, 2017

More and more people are choosing to use their cottages right around the year. It makes sense, especially in regions where "four-season" recreational activities can contribute nicely to lifestyle options. At the same time, making use of a cottage property throughout the year means making...

Understanding the House as a ''System''

December 26, 2016

From a building science perspective, a house is considered a multi-component system, where all of the components are interactive. The building envelope, for example, comprises the roof, walls, and foundation. These components essentially separate the inside of the house from the outside. Mechanical...

Energy Benchmarking - Understanding the Basics

October 31, 2016

For commercial and institutional buildings, it's absolutely vital to understand how much energy a building uses, and how better to manage that usage. And while managing energy consumption can be a challenge for various reasons, there is much to be said for planning and implementing an Energy...

The Ins and Outs of Continuous Insulation

October 28, 2016

Whether it's building code compliant or not, continuous insulation is far less understood than it should be - even among insulation professionals, building contractors, and home renovators. The fact is, thermal bridging reduces insulation performance significantly - up to 20% in wood frame...

Understanding Carbon Pricing For the Average Homeowner

October 27, 2016

By any description, the concept of carbon pricing is difficult to grasp, particularly for an average homeowner or driver. Essentially, carbon pricing is the approach most favoured by economists worldwide for reducing the negative effects of global warming. Simply put, whoever discharges carbon...

The Shortfalls of Thermal Bridging in a Building Structure

October 26, 2016

A thermal bridge is a surface area (mostly in a building structure), which has a higher potential for "heat transfer" than adjacent materials. Thermal bridges contribute to the overall reduction of insulation performance, oftentimes throughout the entire building structure. Often referred...

The Importance of Insulating Your Cottage

October 24, 2016

Traditional summer cottages have little or no insulation, because in most climates, there's just no need. Warm summer temperatures don't promote much indoor moisture accumulation, and for the most part, everything is dry. For those who plan to insulate their cottage, and to use it during the...

The Difference Between Nominal R-Values and Effective R-Values

October 19, 2016

The concept of "consumers beware" takes on new relevancy when it comes to home insulation. And that relevancy becomes acute with respect to R-Values - the industry measure that defines insulation performance. It's not that much different than any other consumer product - like that new...

What Are Building Codes? Why Are They So Important?

September 29, 2016

Every residential home is different - built in a different era; with different specifications; and with different building materials. As such, Building Codes allow for standardization and consistency in building practices. This would apply to everything from a newly constructed home, to a basement...

Why an Air Tightness Test is So Important

September 26, 2016

Whether building a new home, or installing new insulation, air tightness is key to performance. In most cases, professionals acknowledge this fact, and further recognize the importance of an air tightness test. The bigger issue, it seems, is how best to insulate a space, and pass an air tightness...

The Dangers of Having Excessive Attic Heat

September 23, 2016

It sounds somewhat counter-intuitive, but many homes, particularly those that are older than 20 years, suffer from excessive heat in the attic. In most cases, it's an unseen problem, but could very well lead to other issues, both in summer and in winter. In summer, excessive attic heat can...

Bad Insulation Can Actually Make You Sick!

September 19, 2016

Bad insulation can have negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of homeowners, even without warning. But beyond health, there's also personal comfort to consider. The thing is, a coldish, dampish indoor environment is both uncomfortable and unhealthy. In some cases, it may be that...

What are the Causes of Global Warming?

August 31, 2016

Around the world, the majority of respected climate scientists agree that the main cause of global warming is the human-influenced "greenhouse effect". This is essentially a warming of the Earth because the atmosphere is trapping heat that radiates from the Earth outward to space. There...

How to Correctly Dispose of Old Insulation

August 28, 2016

A thorough assessment Even before removing any insulation, it's important to assess the condition of the materials. The materials may have lost the capacity to insulate - there may be deterioration - there may even be asbestos left from a previous installation. What's important is to...

Insulating the Attic Before Using It For Storage

August 25, 2016

Optimizing attic storage space in a home begins with an air-sealed space that is well ventilated, and well insulated. And while every attic is different from the next, optimizing the storage space is worth doing right the first time. Whether it's basic shelving or integrated cabinetry, attic...

The Difference Between Climate Change and Global Warming

August 22, 2016

With all of the media hype about global warming and climate change, it's sometimes difficult for the average person to get an accurate sense of where things stand. To complicate things more, competing interests tend to have their own focus, making it harder to grasp the bigger picture. Global...

Air Infiltration and How It's Making Your House Less Energy Efficient

August 18, 2016

Every residential home, regardless of its age or geographic location, is a "building envelope" that needs to "breathe." In fact, in every home, air is constantly infiltrating through the windows and doors, walls and floors, even the roof and attic. Essentially, air infiltration...

Insulation will raise the value of your property more than remodeling

July 19, 2016

Renovating, remodeling, and redecorating always present a dilemma when it comes to assessing the cost vs. value. And while there are countless comparisons and statistics to support one view or another, there is always the effort to substantiate between personal comfort and real estate value,...

The science behind home insulation

July 15, 2016

For the average homeowner, insulation is all about keeping the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. For some, there's also a basic understanding that a well insulated home will translate into energy efficiency and dollar savings on natural gas and electricity. But there's also...

Home Insulation Can Help the Planet

July 13, 2016

Homeowners in North America often wonder if their home insulation can contribute positively to solving global warming issues and climate changes. The short answer is yes - a well insulated home will definitely use less energy to keep everyone warm in winter, and cool in summer. And by using less...

Explaining the Myths of Spray Foam Insulation

July 11, 2016

Over the years, residential homeowners have become familiar with insulation products like fiberglass batt insulation - likely because of the heavy advertising and marketing every season. And although Spray Foam Insulation has become more and more popular, product knowledge and awareness just...

Insulation Can Lower Commercial Construction Costs

June 30, 2016

Throughout the building and construction industry, it's not uncommon to hear from some of the professionals that Spray Foam Insulation is one of the more costly building materials. However, when architects, designers, and builders learn more about the cost/benefit relationship of SFI, it becomes...

How to Prepare Your Attic for Professional Insulation

June 29, 2016

Like any home improvement project, home insulation requires proper planning and preparation. And because insulation work can be involved, planning is even more relevant. Many homeowners are tempted to try a do-it-yourself approach with home insulation. And while there are savings to be had, there...

Commercial Building Design - How to Insulate Creative Designs

June 27, 2016

Many commercial building owners, along with their architects/designers, are integrating unique design features into their buildings that present challenges for traditional insulation products. Many conventional insulation products on the market today are problematic: they do not adhere well to many...

Building a New Home? Make Sure the Contractor Installed Proper Insulation

June 20, 2016

One of the most common questions homeowners ask when building a new home is what type of insulation to install. Then, the follow-up question is whether Spray Foam Insulation is the best product to go with. Today, many professionals are recommending SFI as the best product, with the best performance,...

Insulating Wine Cellars

June 18, 2016

In any wine cellar, large or small, the two most important factors are temperature and humidity. These will have a direct impact on the wine, and when out of sync, a negative impact. Today, most wine cellars operate with some type of "climate control" system to ensure that temperature and...

The Importance of Insulating Foundation Walls

June 14, 2016

In short, insulating basement foundation walls will provide thermal protection, moisture control, better air circulation, and even mold protection. In most climate zones (especially across Canada) insulating the foundation is well worthwhile - it's a cost-effective home improvement with a very...

Safety Tips for Spray Foam Insulation

May 25, 2016

Many homeowners often ask which insulation is best. And while every project has different needs and priorities, one product has proven to be consistently effective across the board - spray foam insulation. From all respects, it's the best - it does exactly what insulation should do. At the same...

Insulation Materials Used in Industrial Applications

May 24, 2016

When choosing insulation products for large buildings and industrial facilities, building science specialists (as well as engineers and architects) have a broad range of options available. While these professionals may debate on approach and strategy, many agree that spray foam insulation products...

Does Spray Foam Insulation Affect Electrical (or Other) Work in the Attic?

May 20, 2016

While there may be debate between individual contractors about spraying foam insulation over electrical wires, industry guidelines state that spray foam insulation can be applied directly over electrical wiring. The fact is, when wiring is properly sized and housed, there should not be any...

Common Insulation Defects Identified by an Energy Audit

May 16, 2016

Defects in home insulation are symptomatic - homeowners can feel the effects in every part of the home and from season to season. In some cases, there may be defects in the existing insulation, while in other cases, the installation itself may be defective. For the homeowner, it means rooms that are...

Effectively Insulating Low-Slope Roofs

May 15, 2016

When it comes to insulating low-slope residential roofs, it's important to do it right and to ensure longevity for the installation. For the most part, these roofs are gently sloping, mostly flat, or completely flat. And in terms of construction, these roofs come in a wide variety - some with...

The Benefits of Blown Insulation

May 13, 2016

Blown insulation is a popular insulating product, widely used in residential applications. Usually available in two compositions (cellulose and fiberglass), the products deliver satisfactory results in the attic and roof cavity. Both compositions have comparable R-Values when installed, but the...

Spray Foam Insulation - Open Cell or Closed Cell?

May 11, 2016

With spray foam insulation, there continue to be a number of on-going debates. In fact, whether it's a homeowner, homebuilder, or contractor, many of the debates have similar themes. Is it the right product for the job? Does it deliver good value? What's the best approach to application? For...

Insulating Outbuildings Like Sheds and Pool Houses

May 03, 2016

While not every outbuilding is going to be suitable for insulating, there are certainly benefits to a well-insulated shed, pool house, or garage. The truth is, for most outbuildings the main priority is to keep heat from escaping during winter. This could involve one or more of the following: roof...

The Benefits of Insulating Multi-Unit Residential Buildings

May 03, 2016

The benefits of insulating a multi-unit residential building are basically bottom-line benefits, with residents and owners both saving money. For the most part, this is work that will require the services of a professional insulation contractor. It's work that requires expertise with building...

Poorly Installed Insulation Can Be Dangerous

May 03, 2016

With home insulation, the right product and the right installation are absolutely fundamental for optimum performance. Hard to believe, but even contractors often fail to insulate properly, and the result is poor performance and sometimes even dangerous conditions. On the other hand, good...

The Effects of Climate Change on Your Home

May 02, 2016

The debate about climate change, about the decades of recovery, and about reducing the world's CO2 emissions is ongoing. That's the so-called "big picture". On a smaller scale, it's the effects of climate change on the residential home that are more personally relevant. Here,...

Air Sealing Larger Industrial Properties

May 02, 2016

For large buildings to be energy efficient, well maintained, and comfortable for occupants, airflow must be properly controlled. Airflow, particularly in large spaces, carries moisture throughout a space. This has various impacts on the building "envelope", including indoor thermal energy...

Ontario Government to Fund Retrofitting for Community Housing

April 29, 2016

In Ontario, the provincial government recently announced funding that the City of Toronto would use to retrofit community-housing buildings that are aging, and extremely inefficient in terms of energy consumption. While there's always a need for more government funding, these efforts are...

When is the Best Time to Insulate the Home?

April 27, 2016

There's much to consider when deciding on home insulation - much more than just deciding which product is best for the job. And while cost and installation are important factors, timing is a factor that many homeowners seem to overlook. Clearly, a professional insulation contractor will be...

New Liberal Budget Focuses on Retrofitting Social Housing

April 24, 2016

In the new budget from the federal Liberals, there is increased funding for affordable housing. And although the total amount of investment is not clear, affordable housing advocates confirm that there is support for renovating, retrofitting, and eventually building. Apparently, in the first two...

Visually Inspecting a Home for Air Leakage

April 22, 2016

For a typical homeowner, indoor drafts and strange pockets of airflow are usually obvious. And while the location of the source may not be clear, the discomfort is definitely clear. Obvious or not, finding the source of air leaks is the first step in resolving the problem. Doors and windows are...

Understanding Insulation Terminology Before Ordering Insulation

April 15, 2016

Understanding residential insulation is the key to making good purchasing decisions. And when a homeowner understands insulation terminology, it's an advantage when shopping for products or discussing options. Moreover, a good understanding of how insulation works will make for a very productive...

Good Reasons to Draft Proof and Insulate Your Home

October 22, 2015

Draft proofing is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to create energy efficiency - it results in energy conservation and utility savings throughout the year. And the truth is, it will benefit any building type, large or small. Drafts and ventilation are completely different - the...

Choosing the Right Type of Insulation For Your Home

July 13, 2015

Choosing the right type of insulation for your home begins with understanding the fundamentals of insulation. There are so many products on the market today, and so many marketing claims, that decision-making is made more confusing than need be. To be sure, having a good insulation contractor is a...

Spray Foam Insulation Has Become the Favourite of Insulation Contractors

April 15, 2015

In recent years, homebuilders, renovators, and contractors have all been recommending spray foam insulation as the "product-of-choice. Generically, it's known as "polyurethane foam", and as an insulator, it has quickly become the favorite of installers nationwide. Indeed, with...

Understanding Marketing Claims for Spray Foam Insulation

March 04, 2015

Like any other industry, marketing claims for spray foam insulation often go to the extreme. In general, product claims can be more confusing than informative. For example, what does it mean when an insulation product (or any product) is "green" or "eco-friendly" or...

Spray Foam Insulation - Special Equipment for a Special Install

March 03, 2015

For all intents, a successful spray foam application is dependent on a professional install. This is because the spray foam product and the application process are both dependent on the skill and proficiency of an expert. Spray foam is unique, and for maximum performance, the product preparation and...

Spray Foam Insulation - It's Become the Product-Of-Choice For the Home.

March 02, 2015

When it comes time to insulate, it's critical to choose an insulation product that suits the job. This premise applies equally for new home construction, renovations or retrofitting. When insulating the home, numerous decisions must be made, and it's best to be well informed - an informed...

Why Spray Foam Insulation Has Become the Contractor's Favourite

February 27, 2015

The use of spray foam insulation has grown dramatically in the last decade, mainly because customers are satisfied with the results. It's a unique product and a specialized install, so project success is essential. But with a product like spray foam, an experienced contractor can deliver...

Spray Foam Insulation VS. Other Insulation Products

February 10, 2015

Spray foam insulation, also known throughout the industry as polyurethane foam, is regarded as the biggest advancement in energy efficient insulation in recent years.It's a state-of-the-art technology that delivers significant energy savings throughout the year, while providing an indoor living...

When is it Good to Use Spray Foam Insulation?

January 19, 2015

For proponents of spray foam insulation, it's always a good time to use the spray foam product.It's become a favorite of many professionals in the industry, and has satisfied many customers because of the benefits that it brings to an insulation project.The spray foam products are...

Spray Foam Insulation Can Reduce Energy Costs By Up To 50%

December 13, 2014

Every product manufacturer and every contractor makes product claims and promises.That's why it's important to be an informed, educated consumer.That way, decision-making is made easier, whether it's about choosing the right product OR the right contractor.As for spray foam insulation,...

Spray Foam Insulation Delivers Long-Term Savings

December 07, 2014

Depending on the size and layout of your home, industry statistics show that up to 50% of warm air (in the winter) and cool air (in the summer) leaks out.In a well insulated, well ventilated home, this would not be happening.Needless to say, losing "conditioned" air is a waste of money.So...

Using Spray Foam as Insulation

December 05, 2014

Spray foam insulation, when properly installed, can significantly change the dynamics of an indoor air environment.This is an effective and efficient insulating system, and a product that delivers a host of benefits that are actually measurable.It's no wonder that spray foam has become the...

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