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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 winter months, there's much to consider. Keeping heat inside and cold outside is essential to indoor comfort, but there's also air moisture and condensation to take into consideration. The truth is, any contractor can blow insulation materials into an attic space or wall cavity. But this will be a short-term fix with short-term outcomes. This approach certainly doesn't address air leakage, and it barely deals with moisture control. Simply put, a top-notch job would include both air sealing and insulating - two elements that will ensure insulation performance, energy efficiency, and a comfortable indoor environment for occupants (both winter and summer). In any cottage or home, the roof and walls are major sources of air leakage. And needless to say, a traditional cottage suffers from both, since neither roof nor walls are adequately sealed and/or insulated. Today, professional contractors will highly recommend air-sealing a cottage with spray foam. It's the ultimate application, since it provides an air-barrier/vapour barrier in one install, while providing significant R-Values as an insulation barrier - ideal for summer and winter. The beauty of spray foam as an air sealer makes much sense for a cottage (as well as a residential home). Air sealing with spray foam effectively seals roof rafters, wall studs, and crawl spaces like no other application. It can also be used to efficiently weatherproof doors and windows where air leakage is pervasive. Indeed, nothing seals better than spray foam when it comes to the openings, holes, and gaps that are prevalent throughout a typical building structure (cottage or home). As insulation, spray foam is superior to other products. It provides high performance thermal insulation, while maximizing energy efficiency. And this means less energy consumption during winter and summer, and more reasonable utility costs. But this work must be done right, and any notion of a DIY approach to spray foam application should be carefully measured. It's work that should be professionally managed by those who understand the product and the installation. Spray foam accomplishes a number of important things in one application: it completely air seals a space; it blocks undesirable moisture from intruding and accumulating; and it provides R-Value beyond compare. When expertly installed, spray foam will create an indoor environment that's comfortable throughout the summer and winter. It outperforms other products, and never needs replacement or replenishment. Spray foam application is the way to do it right the first time. Weatherizing and insulating a cottage, regardless of the size, will ensure comfortable living year round. And when it's done right, the plumbing pipes don't have to be flushed; kitchen appliances don't have to be closed down; and the windows and doors don't have to be shuttered. It's the best approach for getting full use of the property, and enjoying the benefits to the max.

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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