Spray Foam Insulation in Owen Sound

For professionals in the insulation industry, spray foam insulation is considered to be the best amongst all of the options.  Also known as polyurethane foam, spray foam insulation is quite simply a better product:  it does a better job of sealing; it brings a much better level of R-value than other insulation products; and it adds structural strength where it’s applied.  At Great Northern Insulation, we recommend spray foam insulation for applications of all sorts, mainly because there is nothing else that can do a comparable job.

Industry statistics tell the story best.  When a comparison is made amongst various insulation products, spray foam insulation comes out on top.  If you are currently shopping for insulation, and considering spray foam insulation in Owen Sound, Great Northern Insulation is worth your consideration.  We are a leading contractor regionally, with a straightforward approach to installation - we seal tight, and ventilate right.  The premise is that sealing tight, without ventilating right, is only half a job, and spray foam insulation is part of the effort.

Interestingly, we repeatedly hear the same question coming from homeowners, house builders, and independent contractors. The question we get is whether a spray foam applications is really necessary for their specific project.  Our answer is usually the same.  We believe that using spray foam, when it is part of an overall insulation “system”, is the best route to go.   We find that several challenges are addressed at the same time:  high heating and/or cooling costs; imbalances in heating and/or cooling cycles; and generally poor performance of the HVAC.

Spray foam is the ultimate insulation product.  There’s nothing like it for large, open spaces like the attic, the walls, the floors, or the ceiling.  The foam is sprayed out of special equipment, and initially comes out as in thick liquid form.  The combination of compounds expands as it’s being applied, and hardens into a super dense layer of insulation.  The foam layer is impenetrable to both air and moisture, and it covers everything completely, including all of those weird-shaped spaces, and all of the hard-to-reach spots.

Spray foam insulation eliminates the need for a separate vapor barrier because the foam itself keeps out moisture.  And there are other benefits: overall energy efficiency is measurably improved; indoor air circulation is optimized, and as a result, air quality is improved; and the HVAC system is allowed to work at its maximum potential.  Most importantly, with the building “breathing” properly, everything is well balanced, with seasonal utility bills becoming lower, and with mould and mildew growth completely avoided.

When it comes to installation, Great Northern Insulation is a leader in the industry.  Our install teams are trained, proficient experts with years of experience and expertise.  They follow industry guidelines, construction standards, building codes and by-laws.  And they install everything based on each manufacturer’s product specifications and installation criteria.  GNI stands behind every product and every installation, and provides customers with appropriate warrantees to support the product and the work.  

Great Northern Insulation likes to do it right the first time.  It’s an approach that applies to every job, regardless of the size.  We always do our best to understand the challenges of a particular job, and we always recommend products that best suit the job.  We know our business well, and we find ourselves regularly discouraging customers and clients from making a spray foam install into a DIY project.  This is the kind of work that should be left to the experts - to those who understand the product fully and the installation process equally.

Fifty years ago, in the 60s, spray foam was being used mostly in industrial applications.  It was an excellent insulator for freezers, coolers, and cold rooms, and proved itself as effective.  The product was improved over the decades, and has become the insulation product we use today.  Many professionals in the industry consider spray foam as the ultimate product, especially when it comes to very large spaces like attics and roofs.  It seals and insulates like no other, and covers small spaces that other products cannot.  When coverage is complete, no air can escape.

Great Northern Insulation recommends spray foam insulation for new construction, for retrofit projects, and for renovations of all sizes.  At the same time, we always recommend a proper install.  It’s essential, because no product can perform to its advertised potential if not properly installed.  And that’s why our installers are expertly trained, licensed and certified.  Our install teams know how to prepare work areas properly; they know how to use protective equipment and safety gear; and they know how to safeguard the residents/occupants while they install.

The popularity of spray foam insulation is pretty evident just from industry statistics.  Product usage has grown by almost 40% a year in the last decade.  It’s a growth increase that shows just how popular the application has become throughout the country.  The product has proven itself time and time again with its many positive benefits:  reduced heating and cooling costs; superb R-values; and air and moisture control.  We have also found that in many cases, homes that applied spray foam insulation had higher resale prices than homes without.

With regard to product cost, spray foam insulation is generally more costly when it’s compared to similar products.  But the cost/benefit comparison makes sense.  We most always get what we pay for, and spray foam insulation is a good example here.  It’s a premium product with premium benefits.  The application lasts a lifetime, does not need to be replaced, and delivers a “pay-back” period of 2 and 7 years - that’s impressive on its own.  Probably the most important for a homeowner is the overall energy savings, making the initial upfront cost worthwhile.

If you’re shopping for spray foam insulation in Owen Sound, or in any of the surrounding towns and communities, Great Northern Insulation is worth your consideration.  Our speciality is spray foam insulation, and as our customer, you can rest assured that we’ll do the job right, the first time.