Attic Insulation in Toronto From GNI

Upgrade Or Install Attic Insulation For Improved Home Comfort & Lower Energy Bills

The Benefits of Good Attic Insulation

Preventing Air Movement

Blocking Heat Loss

Stopping Moisture Collection

Sealing Air Leaks

Save You An Estimated 10-50% On Your Toronto Utility Bills With Attic Insulation 

In the so-called “good old days”, there wasn’t much talk about attic insulation in Toronto, about the high cost of energy bills, or about energy savings. The main idea was to keep the home warm in the winter, and somehow cool in the summer (although most people didn’t even have air conditioning).

In those days, many homes were drafty, and the upper floors were often warmer than the lower floors. Today, most of us want a comfortable indoor environment – warm and cozy in the winter, and cool and comfortable in the heat of the summer.

"Our house is 25 year old townhouse, My Attic temperature was too hot in Summer and too cold in Winter compared to the Ground Floor and First Floor with almost 5-8 degree difference. Called Great Northern Insulation, booked an appointment for the estimate. The technician arrived assessed the Attic provided estimates for R-60 Blown Cellulose, along with Install air baffles where possible to maintain ventilation from the eaves. Once i checked the estimates, booked the appointment to get the attic insulated. The complete process of insulation was done in less than an hour, the truck arrived with the cellulose foam with the blower. Also the technician request to inspect the insulation after the process. Now the temperature in my home is consistent from Ground floor to the attic. The best part the entire process was done super clean, all the furnitures were covered and few left over foam from the floor was vacuum cleaned to the perfect. Also the hose was brought from the window in the third floor instead of running through the stairs."

Zack Dawood

“Over the past several years, and two different houses, I have purchased just about every service that GNI sells. I just wanted to say that I have always been pleased with the people I have dealt with, their skills, professionalism, and dedication to doing the best job possible. It makes one aspect of home ownership less stressful!”

Bill Rathborne

“We live in an older home and recently had it insulated and air sealed by Great Northern Insulation. Since the work was completed, we've noticed a dramatic decrease in our heating and air conditioning bills, as well as much more comfort in our home. Dollar for dollar, proper insulation is an effective way to save energy.”

Lou Brehm

Attic Insulation Keeps Your Home In Toronto Well Sealed, Insulated And Warm

Today, we also know that the best scenario is a home that is well sealed, well insulated and well ventilated. It means that throughout the home, heat and cool are well managed, sound is reduced and dampened, and the overall performance of the indoor environment is enhanced to the optimum.

Today, we also know that the best scenario is a home that is well sealed, well insulated and well ventilated. This is a scenario that covers all the bases - something that insulation professionals call a “truly insulated building envelope”. It means that throughout the home, heat and cool are well managed, sound is reduced and dampened, and the overall performance of the indoor environment is enhanced to the optimum. It also means that insulation itself is just not enough - attention must be given to the installation of air barriers (to keep the air out); to the application of vapor barriers (to keep moisture at bay); and to the design of proper ventilation (to keep air circulation balanced).

When an attic is not well insulated, the symptoms are noticeable from season to season. Rooms can feel drafty; indoor temperatures tend to fluctuate; and utility bills seem to be on the high side

Properly insulating the attic is more than just installing insulation. It’s about making the attic and the home more energy efficient; preventing unnecessary air leakage; and avoiding excess moisture that could cause damage. It’s also about reducing energy use and lowering energy bills. When an attic is not well insulated, the symptoms are noticeable from season to season. Rooms can feel drafty; indoor temperatures tend to fluctuate; and utility bills seem to be on the high side. These symptoms will usually alert a homeowner that some measures need to be taken.

Signs That Your Attic Insulation Requires An Upgrade

As homes age over the years, so does attic insulation. Summer and winter, homeowners will see telltale signs, which may or may not point to insulation problems. With attic insulation in Toronto, there are some clear signals that will alert a homeowner that it’s time to re-insulate the home. When air-conditioning or heating is running continuously, and indoor temperatures fluctuate, attic insulation may not be performing. As well, the home is likely suffering from air leakage. When utility bills are unusually high (even when seasonal temperatures are extreme) it’s a sign that insulation is failing to do its job, and that air leakage in the building envelope is evident. A visual sign that insulation is not doing its job is the formation of icicles on the eavestrough. Ice forms along the roof edge when the attic insulation is either inadequate or underperforming. Moisture collection in the roof and attic is a sign that the space is too warm, causing air moisture to condensate and even trickle. Unattended, this can promote mold growth and rotting wood.

The Importance Of Working With An Insulation Specialist

GNI’s Goal is to Insulate Your Home while Providing a Cost Effective Solution to Meet Your Needs

The way in which the insulation itself is installed will play a very large role in its effectiveness. The bottom line: with improper application of a product; with inadequate coverage of air spaces; and with uncontrolled air movement (due to lack of air-sealing) - R-values will be reduced in every case.

When it comes to shopping for attic insulation in Toronto, it’s best to consider a specialist in the field - Great Northern Insulation specializes in insulation – they know which insulation solution is the right one for the job, they know when to use it, and why. In fact, there may even be cases where insulation itself is just not required. At GNI, our objective is to insulate the home properly, and to provide a cost-effective solution that meets the homeowner’s needs and budget. We want to make certain that insulation issues have been fully resolved, and that long-term benefits are in place. Deciding how to best insulate the attic should be a thoughtful and considered process. Hiring a contractor who will blow in loose fill insulation on top of existing insulation is both simplistic and short-term. As mentioned before, this is not just an insulating project – air and moisture control, as well as circulation and ventilation are all part and parcel of the big picture. The way in which the insulation itself is installed will play a very large role in its effectiveness. The bottom line: with improper application of a product; with inadequate coverage of air spaces; and with uncontrolled air movement (due to lack of air-sealing) - R-values will be reduced in every case.

Insulation Should Be Viewed As A Whole System With Air Barriers And Vapour Barriers To Prevent Air Leakage & Moisture

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON

Insulation should always be viewed as a system, and a good system must be practical and effective. Air barriers (both new and existing) must be installed or enhanced to prevent interior and exterior air movement. All cavities must be filled, leaving no gaps, cracks or crevices.

A vapor barrier (often made of polyethylene sheeting) must also be installed, to prevent the movement of moisture, eventual buildup, and potential condensation. Finally, adding the right kind of attic insulation will serve to deliver the greatest return on investment in most homes – and today, it makes abundant economic sense.

The Spray Foam Option For Attic Insulation In Toronto

Throughout the insulation industry, spray foam insulation is considered the gold standard – it’s the very best option amongst the many. Comprised of polyurethane foam, the product is sprayed right into the attic (and just as easily into a wall, floor or ceiling). The spray shoots out as a liquid, and quickly transforms into dense, hard foam. There are two kinds of spray foam used in the industry – the “open cell” foam and the higher density “closed cell” foam. The “open cell” product is less expensive, and provides an excellent air barrier after installation, but does not provide a water vapor barrier. The “closed cell” product is a denser foam, and provides an excellent air barrier AND water vapor barrier at the same time. Hence, the closed cell option is the product of choice for the attic or roof.

Homeowners shopping for attic insulation in Toronto will be making a wise investment with a spray foam product. In the attic cavity, spray foam does it all - air sealing, thermal insulation, and moisture control. The finished space is more energy efficient than any comparable product. Spray foam insulation maximizes energy efficiency in the attic and throughout the home. As such, the HVAC system works more efficiently, energy consumption is reduced, and utility costs from season to season are decreased. The savings actually offset the cost of the original installation For homeowners installing attic insulation in Toronto, spray foam insulation must be managed professionally. The product itself requires special handling; the application process requires a level of expertise; and the work site must be safe. This is by no means a weekend DIY project.

The Fibreglass Attic Insulation Option

Another option for the attic is the fiberglass insulation “batt” – these are the fluffy pink “batts” that are heavily promoted marketed every fall season. The pink “batts”, available in pre-cut panels, are not the only ones on the market – but this type of insulation is usually comprised of fiberglass. Still a popular product, the “batts” are a fairly inexpensive option, easy to install, and can deliver energy efficiency over the long term. The installation must be precise and comprehensive for the install to deliver maximum insulation value. The pre-cut panels must result in a super-tight fit, with no gaps – since this will dramatically affect heating and cooling in the home. Indeed, an air barrier and vapor barrier should also be part of the install.

Yet another option, and one with a good number of advantages, is blown insulation. The two most common choices for blown insulation are cellulose and fiberglass. Both are designed for use in the attic, and both have their own specific advantages. For insulation value they are similar, although industry experts assert that cellulose delivers R-values slightly higher than fibreglass – these values are measured on a per-inch basis. With the cellulose product, there is a tendency to settle over a long period of time, and this could have an affect on its insulation value. As for the fiberglass product, manufacturers maintain that their product does not settle. Both cellulose and fiberglass are fabricated to be fire resistant: cellulose is chemically treated to retard fire from spreading; and fiberglass, because of its makeup, provides a very high level of fire resistance. If you are currently in the market for attic insulation in Toronto, Great Northern Insulation is well worth your consideration. We use the highest quality products; we pass product warrantees to our customers; and our installations are guaranteed, regardless of product chosen. We do the job right the first time, using the proper tools and equipment, and addressing the safety all concerned.  Doing it right means doing it completely; including air sealing or draft proofing; installation of vapour barriers; and adapting air vents and exhausts.

Contact GNI For Professional, Effective And
Quick Attic Insulation Solutions In Toronto