Fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation in Orillia

Understanding home insulation - a good beginning

For homeowners considering fiberglass loose fill insulation or fiberglass batt insulation in Orillia, it’s a good idea to start with a basic understanding. For most homes, an insulating project should focus on reducing, and even eliminating what professionals call “heat transfer”. Also known as “heat flow”, this is not something desirable for the home. Essentially it means that warm air is escaping to the outdoors in the wintertime, and warm outdoor air creeping into the house in the summer time. This is not good in any home - the result is poor energy efficiency and unusually high utility costs (heating and cooling).

An experienced insulation contractor will look at the home as an “envelope". Every home, including all new builds, are constructed with various building materials that affect “heat flow”. In some cases, the affect is positive, and in some cases negative. What’s important for the homeowner is to reduce or even eliminate areas of “heat transfer” – this is what insulation does, and why it’s important to choose the right product for the job. With a good installation, regardless of product choice, “heat flow” will be addressed, energy efficiency will be improved, and seasonal energy consumption will be reduced.

There are a variety of insulation products to choose from, and various install methods, but the goals are all the same. Firstly, air movement needs to be constrained. In addition, moisture accumulation needs to be curtailed. And finally, the R-Value of the space needs to be augmented wherever possible. Something even more important is to have the installation managed by an expert. And while there are some homeowners who could be enticed by a do-it-yourself option, it’s the experts who can assure the good outcomes with both product and installation – they have the experience and the expertise.

Fiberglass batts and loose fill – understanding the basics

In most parts of Canada, and in the northern USA, fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are commonly used in attics and roofs. A professional installation will provide satisfactory levels of R-Value and will enhance energy efficiencies throughout the home. Batts and loose fill both have acceptable lifespans and highly sustainable R-Values.

As with most insulation projects, a professional approach is recommended. A professional contractor knows how to install the “thermal blanket” properly - the fiberglass loose fill insulation must be blown in with uniformity, while the fiberglass batt insulation must be installed with consistency. The whole idea is to ensure the optimum in product performance.

The main advantages of installing fiberglass

Fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation are safe products to install. They don’t contain asbestos, they are odor free, and they are air-quality certified. Both fiberglass options are non-corrosive and non-combustible. Most brands comprise amounts of recycled “glass” and don’t retain moisture (small amounts). Fiberglass doesn’t settle over time, and remains intact after installation.

Under the proper conditions, fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation do not attract insects, animals, or rodents. A good installation does not offer a welcome environment for mold. And with proper ventilation, fiberglass should not deteriorate over time. For fiberglass loose fill insulation or fiberglass batt insulation in Orillia, these are cost-effective installations for most homeowners.

The main disadvantages of installing fiberglass

When installed as stand-alone products, fiberglass loose fill insulation and fiberglass batt insulation do not do a good job in addressing moisture accumulation or air movement. In the attic or roof cavity, this could pose a problem and should be discussed with a contractor - air and moisture must be addressed.

With fiberglass products, air movement remains a problem. This is because the products do not do a good job sealing a space - again, it’s problematic in the roof, attic or basement. Effectively sealing a space is quite important to discuss with a contractor before any insulation work is commenced.

The biggest disadvantage with fiberglass would be wetness. A wet fiberglass environment will lose its product integrity and eventually it’s R-Value. The fiberglass will deteriorate, and require removal. This will require professional remediation - to remove the insulation, to repair the space, and to re-install.

A wet fiberglass environment can be ripe for mold growth, and a mold infestation can compromise the indoor air. In a situation like this, the mold and the insulation must be removed, and with professional expertise. Whatever the extent of the mold infestation, this is not a healthy situation for any home.

Importantly, damaged or deteriorating insulation should be remediated by someone with the proper experience. This is not a project for the inexperienced or the uninitiated.

Spray Polyurethane Foam – the best on the market

Because of the various shortcomings of fiberglass, Spray Polyurethane Foam products have become an alternative in many applications. SPF easily creates an “envelope” that is impervious - it restricts air movement and prevents moisture collection all in one installation.

In most home insulation projects, air leakage (winter heat loss, summer cool loss) is a problem. But with SPF, a finished space becomes totally airtight. It’s a space that delivers very high R-Values, and an air barrier/moisture barrier combination that is hard to match.

An excellent option for any home - the “hybrid” installation

Spray Polyurethane Foam is widely considered the best insulation product. With a single application the product performance is hard to beat. As a result, professional contractors are routinely installing and recommending the product to residential homeowners.

But Spray Polyurethane Foam is not always a good fit for a budget. Because of this, Great Northern Insulation has adopted a custom approach known as a “hybrid” installation. Simply put, it combines Spray Polyurethane Foam and fibreglass in one application.

The “hybrid” installation provides excellent outcomes in the attic, the roof, or the basement. The SPF product provides superb sealing and insulation, while the fibreglass provides additional insulation and cost-effectiveness for the project as a whole.

For insulation performance and affordability, the “hybrid” install is an excellent option for any home.