Fiberglass Loose Fill Insulation and Fiberglass Batt Insulation in Aurora

Understanding the ins and outs of home insulation

For homeowners currently thinking about insulating their home, it’s important to have a good understanding of the basics. Insulating the home is basically about eliminating heat transfer throughout the home. The experts sometimes refer to heat transfer as “heat flow”, but whatever the term, heat transfer is not desirable. During the winter, it means that warm air inside the home is escaping. And during the summer, it means that hot air from the outside is creeping in. Hence, heat transfer is not desirable. It will cause energy inefficiency during summer and winter, and will result in more costly utility bills than need be.

The experts consider a residential home to be a building “envelope". And because homes are constructed with different building materials, heat transfer is affected in different ways – sometimes positively, and sometimes negatively. When considering insulation, homeowners should focus on eliminating undesirable heat transfer. It can be accomplished with fiberglass loose fill insulation or fiberglass batt insulation, but whatever the product, the aim should be the same.  When heat transfer is eliminated, energy usage is improved, and energy costs are reduced. Ideally, the savings will make the investment worthwhile.

There are a number of objectives when insulating a home, regardless of the insulation product chosen. To begin with, it’s important to prevent air movement. As well, it’s important to stop any moisture from collecting. And finally, it’s important to enhance R-Value beyond anything existing. As for installation, a professional approach is recommended – it will assure optimum product performance.

Two product options to choose from in fiberglass insulation

Throughout Canada and the northern United States, fiberglass insulation has become popular for insulating the home. Both fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation are common applications for the roof and attic. These products provide satisfactory R-Values when installed, and serve to improve energy efficiency throughout the year. Properly installed, product lifespan is satisfactory, and R-Value is maintained long term.

For optimum product performance, it’s recommended that fiberglass insulation be professionally installed. It’s an installation that requires expertise and experience in order to create the most effective “thermal blanket”. Fiberglass loose fill insulation, for instance, must be blown in with precision and uniformity. In the same way, fiberglass batt insulation must be strategically installed in order for the product to perform as advertised.

The benefits of installing fiberglass insulation products

Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are safe - they are non-combustible, non-corrosive, odor-free, and asbestos free. The top brands contain significant amounts of recycled materials and are also air-quality certified for residential application. These fiberglass products do not retain moisture in small quantities, and will not settle measurably over the long term.

Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are not hospitable environments for either insects or rodents. Neither of these products provides a feeding ground for mold. And when a space is well ventilated, fiberglass will not deteriorate over time. Fiberglass products are affordable – the installation is cost-effective and the results are noticeable in yearly savings.

The issues when installing fiberglass insulation products

Neither the fiberglass batt insulation nor the fiberglass loose fill insulation will entirely address air movement or moisture collection. This could be a problem and should be reviewed with a contractor. It may well impact an insulation project that includes the roof or attic.

Even when professionally installed, fiberglass products do allow for some measure of air movement. Simply put, fiberglass does not seal a space on its own, and the final insulated space will not be 100% sealed.  In a space like the attic or roof, this is an important concern.

Wet fiberglass insulation is problematic. When fiberglass is water-compromised, it loses product integrity, and eventually its R-Value. Over time, wet fiberglass will deteriorate – it will therefore require professional removal in order to prevent additional problems.

Wet fiberglass insulation can also create an environment for mold. If mold growth is unnoticed or unattended, it can spread and affect air quality. Once again, this is a situation where the insulation material has to be removed, and the mold infiltration remediated.

An alternative to fiberglass - spray foam insulation 

Because of the issues associated with fiberglass insulation, contractors are recommending spray foam insulation as an alternative option. In residential homes (and commercial buildings), spray foam creates an “envelope” that is impermeable, preventing any air movement or moisture accumulation. A spray foam application seals a space more effectively than any other insulation product – and it offsets some of the drawbacks of installing fiberglass.

In a building “envelope”, air leakage is a challenge for any insulation professional. And stopping that air leakage is an integral part of a good installation. With spray foam insulation, a contractor can assure a space that is fully airtight, with high R-Value throughout, and with improved energy efficiency. As a result, the spray foam product has become the product-of-choice for many contractors, especially in roof cavities, attic spaces, and basements.

The “hybrid” installation - cost-effective for any budget

As a superior insulation product, spray foam continues to be highly recommended. One application has more benefits than any other product on the market, and long-term results go farther than other insulation options. As such, many contractors are recommending spray foam as a good long-term investment.

However, spray foam is a premium product. It may not be suitable for all budgets, which is why the experts at Great Northern Insulation have developed the “hybrid” installation. This is an install that combines fibreglass insulation and spray foam insulation, and capitalizes on the attributes of each product.

For homeowners in Aurora, the “hybrid” installation from Great Northern Insulation offers excellent long-term results, within a cost-effective project budget. Long term, the “pay-back” period makes the original investment worthwhile - short term, the seasonal cost savings on utilities make a big difference.

For the professionals at Great Northern Insulation, one thing is clear - products and installations are guaranteed, and customer satisfaction is assured.