Fiberglass Batt Insulation and Fiberglass Loose Fill Insulation in Leamington

Understanding home insulation when it’s time to renew or replace

At some point, residential homeowners in colder climates have to think about renewing or replacing their insulation. For those thinking about fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation in Leamington, it’s good to understand the basics. The main thing with insulation is to reduce/eliminate “heat transfer”. It means stopping heat from leaking out of the home (winter), and stopping heat from coming into the home (summer).  Either way, “heat transfer” is undesirable - it causes the home to lose energy efficiency, and therefore causes seasonal utility bills to be costlier than they should be.

For professional contractors, a home is a “building envelope”. It’s made of materials that impact “heat transfer”. In some cases, the impact is positive, and in some cases the impact its negative. The idea with insulation is to simply counter the negative impacts of “heat transfer”. And with a good installation, “heat transfer” can be effectively diminished and/or eliminated. The benefits to the homeowner are numerous:  to begin with, the home’s energy efficiency is noticeably enhanced; as well, winter heating and summer cooling cycles are balanced; and finally, utility bills are lower from one season to the next.

These days, there are a host of insulation products available to homeowners.  And while each claims to be better, it’s the project objectives that are most important: like stopping undesirable air movement; and preventing moisture from accumulating; and boosting R-Value where possible. Also important is to work with an expert – someone with extensive product knowledge and installation expertise. Expert installers bring about the best outcomes. And although some homeowners may consider a DIY project to save money, the outcomes don’t always measure up when compared to the professional contractor.

Fiberglass insulation is a popular install for attics and roofs

In most of Canada, fiberglass insulation is a popular install for attics and roofs. It is most commonly sold as “loose fill” or “batts”, and both options are suitable for residential application.  When expertly installed, fiberglass insulation provides good R-Value throughout the installed space, and will provide satisfactory lifespan for the future. Fiberglass “batts” and “loose fill” will also provide improved energy efficiency throughout the home, and will serve to lower heating and cooling bills every year.

The truth is, a home insulation project does require expertise. Professional insulation contractors have an in-depth understanding of their products, and have specific expertise with their installations. They know how to install the most effective “thermal blanket”, and how to ensure optimal results when the install is complete. With the “loose fill” insulation, for instance, the install must be comprehensive and uniform. And with the “batts”, the install must be planned and calculated to ensure performance.

Both of the fiberglass insulation products have their benefits

For best results, fiberglass insulation should be installed professionally, and according to the product’s specifications. Both fiberglass products are safe, asbestos-free, and air-quality tested. The finished installation is non-combustible and non-corrosive. Fiberglass products typically contain amounts of “recycled glass” material, and therefore qualify to be “green”. With a good installation, fiberglass will not settle over time, and will not retain moisture (in small amounts).

A finished fiberglass installation does not attract insects or rodents, and will not promote mold. But importantly, the installation does require proper ventilation. Ventilation ensures product performance and longevity, while averting the potential for any deterioration. For homeowners thinking about fiberglass insulation in Leamington, this is a project that brings together satisfactory results and cost-effectiveness.  Once again, a professional touch is recommended.

Unfortunately, there are some problems with fiberglass insulation

In spaces like the attic and roof, fiberglass insulation does not adequately resolve the unique issues of air movement or moisture collection. Even with an expert install, this is problematic, because poorly managed air and moisture will compromise the integrity of the installation.

Another issue with a fiberglass installation is air leakage. By itself, fiberglass cannot seal, and therefore cannot prevent air from flowing into, or out of, the attic. For a professional installer, this is a serious issue, since effective sealing is imperative for effective insulating.

The biggest issue with fiberglass insulation is actually wetness. When the fiberglass gets wet, it loses product integrity and valuable R-Value. And when unnoticed, wet fiberglass will deteriorate. This will necessitate removal of the insulation; repairs; and reinstallation.

Yet another issue with wet fiberglass is the real potential for mold to grow. Depending on the extent of the infestation, a remediation effort really needs the expertise of a mold specialist. Here again, the only recourse is to remove the mold, remove the insulation, and reinstall.

A good alternative to fiberglass is Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

Because of the characteristic problems associated with fiberglass, there’s a good alternative in Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation. With one application of SPF, an installer can create a superb “insulation blanket” that will stop air movement and prevent moisture accumulation.

Spray Polyurethane Foam is acknowledged as a superior sealing agent – it makes for an airtight space that completely stops air leakage. It means that indoor heat is prevented from leaking out, and outdoor heat is prevented from leaking in. SPF also provides superior energy efficiency.

For one of the best, most cost-effective installs, it’s the “hybrid” installation

SPF is considered to be the best insulation product on the market. It’s delivers superb results in attics, roofs, basements, and garages. But it’s a premium product that may not be compatible with all budgets. In coming up with an alternative, professional installers are employing a “hybrid” installation that has proven itself with great results and at reasonable cost.

The “hybrid” installation essentially combines the SPF product with one of the fibreglass products. The first application, Spray Polyurethane Foam, provides superb sealing and excellent insulation. The second application, the fibreglass insulation, augments the R-Values, while providing a cost-effective component to the project.  In short, the “hybrid” install ensures excellent results at a reasonable cost.