A Practical Approach to Insulation Removal in Aurora

Deciding on whether or not to remove aging home insulation.

Deciding whether or not to remove aging home insulation will depend primarily on the condition of the installed insulation. With older homes, there may be a need to remove insulation because it’s obvious that the installed material just isn’t performing. Whatever the reason might be for the removal, it’s important to assess whether the situation is serious or not, and whether immediate action is needed. For insulation removal in Aurora, Great Northern Insulation offers homeowners a comprehensive approach from start to finish:  gauging the extent of removal work; evaluating the scope of repairs and retrofitting; and reinstalling new insulation product.

There are good reasons for removing aging home insulation.

Because every home is different, every insulation removal will be different. GNI has come across all kinds of situations over many years. GNI crews have found insulation that just isn’t adequate enough to do a good job. They have found situations where over-insulating has compromised air circulation. And they have found situations where an inferior install doesn’t allow for thermal performance. GNI crews have also come across situations where poor ventilation and mediocre air sealing affects overall performance. In some situations, insulation removal may be imperative. Here, insulation may be wet, deteriorating, or even contain asbestos deposits.

Removing older insulation during a renovation is a good idea.

Removing old insulation while doing a home renovation is a good idea. If the sub-contractors can work together, this makes removal and reinstallation much more streamlined. In fact, a home renovation is the ideal time to undertake repairs or retrofits before reinstalling new insulation. For the team at Great Northern Insulation, insulation removal is comprehensive from beginning to end:  they assess how much insulation will be removed; they evaluate how much existing insulation can be recovered; and finally, they decide if new insulation product can be installed on existing material. The overall aim is to determine how best to remove/reinstall. 

Most insulation removal jobs require professional expertise.

Insulation removal work is essentially a cleanup project. But it’s specialized work that requires a degree of professional expertise. Great Northern Insulation uses industrial equipment to remove old insulation thoroughly and safely. All waste is carefully disposed of externally, and all of the debris and dirt is vacuumed completely. GNI crews also prepare the cleaned up area for the next step of reinstallation. Here, installers seal up the given space airtight, and retrofit the ventilation to ensure optimum air circulation. Finally, high quality insulation is expertly installed. In this way the sealed space, the ventilation, and the new insulation will ensure performance.

Some homeowners may be drawn to DIY insulation removal.

In an effort to save, some homeowners may be drawn to DIY insulation removal. And while many home centres may offer various options, nothing compares with a professional touch. Removing insulation can be a challenging project. The work is painstaking and time consuming. As it is, a homeowner without previous experience can take twice as long as a professional. As well, some removal work can actually pose a hazard, with potential risk for an inexperienced homeowner. And sometimes, there are worst-case scenarios – like contaminated insulation; or deteriorating animal remains; or mold infiltrations; or even residual asbestos or vermiculite.

Thorough insulation removal is required before re-installing.

For homeowners considering insulation removal in Aurora, Great Northern Insulation provides a professional approach from start to finish. Removal work is thorough and comprehensive; waste materials are disposed of safely; and installation of new product is at the highest standard. GNI also ensures that repairs and retrofits are undertaken before any new insulation is installed. For example, it may be necessary to include an air barrier and/or vapour barrier, depending on the insulation product being installed. As well, it may be necessary to retrofit existing ventilation to enhance air circulation. And finally, it may be necessary to seal the space better.

For Great Northern Insulation, it’s essential to seal up a space.

In every home, large or small, air movement influences the indoor environment. Moving air takes with it moisture, oxygen, and a variety of pollutants. When a home is appropriately sealed, air movement is more efficiently managed – the home benefits greatly from better air circulation and much improved energy efficiency. The experts at Great Northern Insulation see the home as a “system” - where effective sealing, efficient ventilation, and quality insulation work in tandem. In fact, sealing a space tight is as important as newly installed insulation. With a professional install, a working “system” will allow for enhanced energy efficiency in the entire home.

GNI can offer homeowners a wide range of insulation options.

For customers in Aurora, GNI offers a wide range of insulation options. For one, blown insulation is a reliable install for the attic or roof. It’s available in either fiberglass or cellulose, and is blown into a space as a “thermal blanket” of insulation. Blown insulation products are cost-effective, with satisfactory insulation performance throughout the seasons. GNI also installs the traditional fiberglass batts, an insulation option with good R-Values and good product life.

For a more high performance product, GNI can recommend Spray Foam Insulation. SFI is very highly regarded amongst insulation professionals, and provides far more benefits than any of the comparable products. Properly installed, SFI seals a space tight, while providing an effective air barrier and vapour barrier at the same time. Spray Foam Insulation has higher R-Value ratings than other products, and will never need any replacement or replenishment.

Another alternative from Great Northern Insulation is the so-called “hybrid” application. This is a very cost-effective installation that incorporates Spray Foam Insulation with one of the blown insulation products (cellulose or fiberglass). Together, the two products deliver excellent results and good value. After installation, the substantial energy savings often allow homeowners to “pay off” the original project cost with the savings on heating and air conditioning.

With Great Northern Insulation, homeowners in Aurora can be assured of project satisfaction. With GNI, quality products and quality installations set the stage for long-term performance.