Fibreglass Loose Fill insulation and Fibreglass Batt Insulation in Bracebridge

Homeowners should have a basic understanding of home insulation

At one point or another, most homeowners have to think about home insulation. For those who might be pondering fibreglass loose fill insulation or fibreglass batt insulation in Bracebridge, it would be good to have a basic understanding. In short, the aim of insulation is to eradicate “heat transfer”. It means stopping indoor heated air from flowing out during the winter. And it means stopping outdoor heat from flowing in during the summer. In general, “heat transfer” is undesirable. It compromises a home’s energy efficiency; utility bills will be high; and the extra energy costs will be a bad side effect.

For insulation experts, a home is a “building envelope”, and that “building envelope” is constructed of materials that have an affect on “heat transfer”. Sometimes that effect is positive, sometimes negative. So it’s clearly important to eliminate the negative. This is why it’s critical to install insulation that will effectively deal with “heat transfer”. In doing this, the overall “building envelope” will benefit:  energy efficiency throughout the home will be noticeably improved – heating and cooling cycles will be better balanced around the year – and seasonal utility bills will be diminished in winter and summer.

As many homeowners already know, there is a wide range of insulating products available today. But regardless of the product that is eventually installed, the objectives of insulating should be the same: to restrict air movement; to prevent moisture from collecting; and to make improvements to R-Values. More importantly, it’s highly recommended to work with a professional insulation contractor. It’s the professionals who have expertise with products and installations, and who can derive the best results. And yes – getting into a DIY project can save some money, but nothing really beats an expert’s touch.

Fibreglass insulation products have become popular over the years

From coast to coast in Canada, and in some northern states of the USA, fibreglass insulation has gained popularity. Available as batts or loose fill, the fibreglass products are popular in attics, roofs, as well as basements. The installation provides satisfactory R-Values throughout a given space, and good product lifespan for the future. With a professional install, fibreglass insulation will improve a home’s energy efficiency, and reduce energy consumption from season to season.

Home insulation, like other improvement projects, requires some expertise. Experienced insulation contractors understand their products and the nuances of each installation. They know how to create a  “thermal blanket” that will ensure optimum performance for years to come. For example, with loose fill types of insulation, the product must be applied with uniformity and consistency to be most effective. As for the fibreglass batts, the product performs when installed strategically.

Fibreglass insulation provides a number of benefits when properly installed

Installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications, fibreglass insulation is safe for residential use. Both fibreglass batts and loose fill are non-corrosive, non-combustible, and asbestos-free. The quality brands are tested for air-quality to ensure safety. Fibreglass insulation typically comprises recycled “glass”, making it somewhat of a “green” product. With a good installation, fibreglass should not retain any moisture (in smaller quantities), and won’t settle in place after time.

Fibreglass insulation products are usually chemically treated to counteract animals, rodents, and even insects. The installation is not hospitable for mold, nor will it promote mold growth. For fibreglass to perform optimally, the insulated space must be appropriately ventilated. This will also significantly reduce the potential for the product to deteriorate. Homeowners choosing fibreglass insulation in Bracebridge will benefit from an installation that is both effective and cost-worthy.

On the downside, fibreglass insulation does pose some problems

Fibreglass insulation, even when professionally installed, does not completely address air movement or moisture collection. For the homeowner, this is a drawback in the roof or attic, since unwanted air or moisture will serve to compromise the performance of the insulation and the R-Value.

Another issue in attics and roofs is air leakage. And here again, fibreglass insulation does not address fully. On its own, fibreglass insulation does not seal up a space, regardless of how well it’s installed. For the experts, this is problematic, because sealing is vital for any insulation to perform.

The biggest downside of fibreglass is when the insulation gets wet. A fibreglass environment that is wet will quickly lose its integrity, followed by R-Value. And if the situation remains undetected, the wet space will deteriorate, requiring removal, repair and reinstallation of insulation.

In a worst-case situation, wet fibreglass will become a home for mold. When an attic or roof cavity suffers from mold infestation, the only recourse is to remove and reinstall. This will necessitate a mold removal expert, followed by a re-install of the insulation by an expert.

SPF - Spray Polyurethane Foam has become popular among experts

With the inherent drawbacks of fibreglass, SPF has gained popularity with many insulation experts. One application of Spray Polyurethane Foam provides the most effective insulating “blanket” of any product on the market, and prevents air movement/moisture collection in the roof and/or attic.

A professional application of Spray Polyurethane Foam effectively stops air leakage. Simply put, a finished installation will be completely sealed and airtight, preventing indoor heated air from escaping in winter, and preventing outdoor summer heat from creeping into the house during summer.

The “hybrid” install combines fibreglass and SPF into one install

Spray Polyurethane Foam is considered the best of all insulation products on the market today. It is being routinely recommended for attics and roofs, basements and garages. But its clearly a premium product, and as such, doesn’t fit into all project budgets. Because of the cost, insulation professionals are recommending an option that is more cost-effective – the “hybrid” installation.

The “hybrid” install combines one of the fibreglass insulation products, along with an SPF install. This approach benefits from each of the insulation products, while maintaining excellent dollar value for the homeowner. The SPF component allows for outstanding sealing and effective insulation, while the fibreglass component adds R-Value while keeping the project cost-effective.