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Choosing attic insulation for your home can be challenging. Our mailboxes are full of promotional material from dozens of companies, and product manufacturers are advertising their wares without stop. Of course, the Internet is filled with an overabundance of information. It’s hard to know what to believe, and who to trust when every insulation product is the best product, and every company is the best company. It’s clearly a challenging experience, and shopping for attic insulation in Windsor, Ontario is no exception. In the end, the consumer is faced with deciding which product is best for them and which company is best to do the work.
In the insulation industry, Great Northern Insulation has become Canada's largest full service contractor. In business for 35 years, GNI promises a three-fold commitment on every project: to use the highest quality products; to deliver excellent customer service; and to provide installations that are nothing short of satisfactory. We don’t consider a project complete until the customer is satisfied with the product, the workmanship, and the service. We honour the warranty coverage provided by our manufacturers, and extend those warrantees to the customer. And every installation is guaranteed, regardless of the product we install - we’re proud of the fact that we do the job right, the first time.
When insulating the attic, there’s an underlying principle that contractors agree on, no matter what insulation product is used: an appropriate layer of insulation that is installed to completely fill every space and cavity, and every “nook and cranny”. Beyond that, the choice of product can be frustrating, unless you’re dealing with a reputable contractor who will work with YOU to determine what’s best for YOU. This would include some basic considerations: a thorough inspection of the attic and an assessment of the condition; some deliberation on which product is best suited for the situation; and some discussion about cost in order to match the product with the budget.
An affordable option, and one that will suit any budget, is blown-in insulation, which is available in either fiberglass or cellulose composition. This type of insulation has a “fluffy” make-up that restricts air movement, making it a very effective insulation in large spaces like the attic. Fiberglass and cellulose are fire-resistant, mold resistant, and rodent resistant – very important features for the attic. Using special equipment, the insulation gets blown into the attic, gets dispersed evenly and with uniform density throughout the space. Blown-in insulation, whether it’s the fiberglass or the cellulose, can be blown on top of existing insulation – and when it’s installed properly can be an easy way of increasing R-value. When covering an area, the insulation creates a “thermal blanket” that prevents heat/cool loss. Fiberglass and cellulose can both cover the attic completely, including television cables, electric wires, HVAC ductwork, and the support beams that straddle the attic.
Another product, spray-foam insulation, is considered the best insulation product in the industry. It’s a chemical combination that is pre-mixed prior to application, and sprayed from a nozzle, using equipment and safety gear that is specially designed. The chemical mixture is sprayed out in a thick liquid form, expands immediately, and hardens into an insulation envelope that is thick and dense. A space like the attic can be covered with one application, with every hole, crevice and crack being filled with the spray foam. Throughout the attic, coverage is total, including wooden crossbeams; plumbing and wiring; and all HVAC ducting for heating and cooling. Professionally installed, a finished attic becomes fully insulated, with a built-in air barrier and moisture barrier combined. It’s a complete “system” that’s insulated with the best product on the market.
For the team of professionals at GNI, the optimum solution for attic insulation is a “hybrid” system. It combines both of the insulation products described previously, and results in one comprehensive application. It means that the spray foam insulation is combined with blown-in insulation (spray foam + cellulose OR spray foam + fiberglass) all depending on the scope of the project. Expert in the industry agree that either of these two combinations is the very best approach to attic insulation. The combination allows the dense spray foam to provide an excellent air and moisture barrier, and the blown-in insulation to provide excellent value for dollars spent. When Great Northern Insulation performs an insulation removal, followed be a re-install of new insulation, our team will recommend one of the two combination installations - we remove all of the existing insulation; we determine the product combination best suited for the job; and we make sure to keep an eye on the budget.
Now, while it’s true that all of the mentioned insulation products and installation techniques could be expedited as a do-it-yourself project, this work is best left to the experts. For the team at Great Northern Insulation, for example, we don’t just install insulation – we look at every project as an insulation system. We emphasize air barriers, in order to prevent the movement of air between inside and outside, and we insist on vapor barriers to prevent moisture penetration and the formation of condensation. Whether we’re installing attic insulation in Windsor, or in any of our other locales in Ontario, we believe in a comprehensive approach - the home must be sealed well, ventilated well, and insulated well – something we refer to as a “true insulated building envelope”.
For the homeowner, a comprehensive approach to attic insulation should also include a balanced heating and cooling system and the kind of optimized HVAC performance that delivers material energy savings from season to season. For Great Northern Insulation, it always means doing the job right the first time, while ensuring full customer satisfaction, and without compromise. We warranty all of the products that we install; we guarantee our work without any questions; and we resolve problems and issues on the spot. And because our goal is 100% customer satisfaction, we will replace or repair problem issues (and meet acceptable government standards) at our cost.
935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3
Phone: 1-800-265-1914
Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
7035 Industrial Drive
Comber, Ontario
Canada N0P 1J0
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
259 Campbell Street
Sarnia Ontario
Canada, N7T 2H3
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
6260 Don Murie St
Niagara Falls, ON
L2G 0B4
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914
Best of 2017
From reputation to responsiveness, HomeStars consistently ranks Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction. Thanks to everyone for the great ratings!
Best of 2018
For the second year in a row, HomeStars consistently ranks Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction. Thank you again to everyone!
Best of 2019
For the third year in a row, HomeStars ranked Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction.
Best of 2020
For four years now, HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation at better than 95% for customer satisfaction.
Energy Saving
Energy saving and energy efficiency is easier than one might think. Great Northern Insulation helps to identify performance issues, while taking advantage of improvement opportunities.
100% Canadian
Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.
Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM
WALLTITE® ECO™ is a high-performance system, professionally installed by certified and approved specialists. Its C.C.M.C. approved (Canadian Construction Materials Centre) - with product quality guaranteed - and with installation by highly trained experts with the technical know-how to do the job right, the first time.
The GREENGUARD®
Gold Certification promise
GREENGUARD® Gold Certification ensures the strictest criteria for low-level chemical emissions. Certified products are safe for individuals with sensitivities (children/elderly) and safe for use in school environments and health-care facilities. The product certification is widely recognized by the LEED Rating System (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).
Insulthane® Extreme
For the ultimate in high performance spray foam insulation, Insulthane® Extreme is the professional choice for residential, commercial, and industrial application. With improved thermal performance over other products, Insulthane® Extreme has an exceptionally low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Considered environmentally friendly, this next generation spray foam insulation is non-ozone depleting, and exceeds specifications of other HFC product alternatives.
ECOLOGOTM:
Multi-attribute product certification
ECOLOGOTM is an accredited sign of environmental performance – holistic – green – sustainable - and compliant with strict, third party standards. Life cycle criteria for product certification may include manufacturing and operations; health and environment; product materials and performance; and product innovation, development, and management.
3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings
3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).
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Professional, Certified and Insured
Baeumler ApprovedTM gives you peace of mind when connecting with contractors, trades and home service providers. All Baeumler Approved members have demonstrated high quality work for customers and other trade professionals. Members must also have Workers Compensation, liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 and prove professional certification.
Holmes and Holmes
Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.
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