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Don't Underestimate the Importance of Insulating the Basement

March 17, 2015

Years ago, the basement was a leftover space for the furnace and water heater; for storing suitcases; and for dumping everything we didn't want upstairs. But today, things are different. Basement space is valuable - and finishing that space can add a substantial amount of living room to the home. At the same time, the space has to be comfortable. The big question is how to make it comfortable. Most people don't give it much thought, but basements should be as well insulated as any other part of the house. And the fundamentals are the same - it's a space that should be well sealed, well insulated and well ventilated. A well-insulated basement will reduce the costs of heating and cooling; will balance out heating/cooling levels throughout the house; and will almost certainly prevent mold from forming. In recent years, spray foam insulation has gained a lot of popularity as an insulating product. It has become a product-of-choice for the attic, the roof, and even the walls inside the house. As it turns out, it's an excellent option for the basement as well. Basements have unique challenges, and a spray foam application provides effective solutions - in fact, better than any other product available on the market. In one application, spray foam does it all - it impedes the accumulation of moisture; it restricts the movement of air; and it provides better thermal insulation (R-Value) than any other insulation product. Spray foam also seals a space better than any other application - it therefore prevents heat loss, contributes to higher efficiency of the HVAC unit, and at the end of the day, significantly reduces the cost of energy. Effectively insulating the basement also means effectively sealing up the space. It's all about making the space completely airtight, and no other application does this more efficiently than spray foam. With an expert installation, spray foam seals up a space completely - every little hole, gap and crack is sealed, including all of the hard-to-access spaces. There's no other insulation product that can accomplish this. Today, spray foam insulation is the "go-to" product for the professional insulation contractor. Quite simply, it is the best air barrier, the best moisture barrier, and the best insulator...all in one application. In fact, there is no need to install a separate vapor barrier. A professional spray foam install will also add structural strength to the walls of the basement - it's just another added benefit of the application. The beauty of spray foam insulation is that the benefits are noticeable. Overall air circulation is improved - the HVAC equipment operates better - indoor comfort is enhanced - and energy usage is better balanced. And when heating and cooling are better balanced, the cost savings are apparent. For a typical homeowner, the annual savings are probably enough reason to insulate with spray foam. Spray foam insulation is known to be more costly than other insulation products. However, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost. It's an application that lasts a lifetime, its maintenance free, and it doesn't need to be replenished.

Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Greater Toronto Area

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

Great Northern Insulation - Better Business Bureau Profile.

Homestars Best of 2021 Award

Best of 2021

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

Best of 2022

HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

100% Canadian

Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

Renomark

Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

eRenovate

We are Verified & Bonded by eRenovate. When you choose to proceed with our services through their platform, you receive the gaurantees set forth through their program.

As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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