Fiberglass Loose Fill Insulation and Fiberglass Batt Insulation in Tecumseh

A basic understanding of residential insulation

For homeowners residing in Tecumseh, it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of insulation. In most homes, the main objective of insulation is to reduce or completely eliminate “heat transfer”. This is sometimes referred to as “heat flow”, but whatever the term, it’s unwanted in a residential home. Heat transfer allows warm indoor air (during winter) to escape. And in summer, it allows the warm outdoor air to come in. Neither of these is desirable, and both will result in mediocre energy efficiency. The final result:  seasonal heating and cooling costs that are much higher than they should be.

Insulation professionals look at a house as an “envelope". It’s built with many different construction materials and each has a different affect on “heat flow”. Even in a new build, the materials have an affect – it could be positive, or it could be negative. For the typical homeowner, insulating the home should be about reducing or eradicating heat transfer. It can be accomplished with various insulation products, but the main objective should always be about getting rid of “heat transfer”. The final result: better energy efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and lower utility bills during the year.

Home insulation should focus on a number of goals, regardless of the installation method. It should focus on restricting air movement – it should prevent unwanted accumulation of moisture - and it should boost the R-Value of the home. Also important is to have the project managed professionally. Professional management will ensure the best results for both product and installation.

Two possible products - fiberglass batts and fiberglass loose fill

In most regions of Canada, and in many of the northern regions of the USA, fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are commonly installed in roofs and attics. When these products are professionally installed, they provide satisfactory levels of R-Value and noticeably enhance energy efficiency throughout the home. The products have a good lifespan, and R-Values sustain long term.

With these products, professional expertise is preferred. The installer must create a “thermal blanket” with a certain degree of precision. With the fiberglass loose fill insulation, the product must be blown consistently and uniformly. Similarly, the fiberglass batt insulation must be properly installed so that the product performs as required. Both installations require expertise and experience for best results.

Some of the advantages with the fiberglass products

Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation are approved for residential applications and are deemed safe (no asbestos). The products are air-quality certified and odor free. They are non-combustible and non-corrosive. Most brands incorporate recycled “glass” into the final product, and as such, fiberglass doesn’t retain small amounts of moisture. The fiberglass insulation products described do not settle in their place measurably, and will remain intact for many years.

Fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation do not make a welcome home for animals, rodents or insects. Neither product will provide nourishment for mold to grow. When a space is well ventilated, fiberglass should not deteriorate. This is an installation that is affordable and cost-effective for most homeowners, with an upfront project cost that can be easily “paid down” by the significant annual cost savings provided by the reduction in heating and cooling costs.

Some of the disadvantages with the fiberglass products

As stand-alone products, fiberglass batt insulation and fiberglass loose fill insulation do not do well preventing air movement or stopping moisture from accumulating. In the attic or roof, it could be a big problem. This should be discussed with a professional, so that the issues of air and moisture are fully addressed before any work commences.

Even with a professional install, air movement can pose a big problem with the fiberglass products. They do not do an effective job sealing a space, and this can be problematic in the attic or basement. Even after a professional install, none of the fiberglass products can effectively seal a space.  Again, this is an important issue to be addressed.

The biggest weakness of fiberglass is wetness. When fiberglass is wet, it will lose integrity, and will inevitably lose R-Value. As well, wet fiberglass will deteriorate, and will eventually need to be properly removed. This will require professional remediation, and will involve complete removal of the existing insulation to avoid potential problems.

Unattended, wet fiberglass can become a feeding ground that will be friendly to mold. It can become serious enough to compromise the indoor air environment. The mold (and the insulation) will have to be removed, and again, it’s work that should be handled by an expert. Whatever the scope of the mold growth, it’s not a healthy situation.

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) – a viable product option  

Because of the shortcomings of fiberglass, Spray Polyurethane Foam has emerged as a viable option for many projects. SPF creates an impermeable “envelope” which effectively prevents air movement, and stops unwanted moisture from collecting.

For insulation professionals, air leakage is the ever-present problem with every installation. But with SPF, a space can become totally airtight. And with the highest R-Value of any product, SPF has become the favorite of many in the industry.

Perhaps the best of all insulation options - the “hybrid” install

Spray Polyurethane Foam has emerged as the best overall insulation product available today. It takes only one application, and the benefits far outweigh anything else. As such, more and more insulation contractors are installing the product, and are recommending the installation to homeowners.

However, for some, Spray Polyurethane Foam does not suit the budget. And because of this, the team at GNI (Great Northern Insulation) has come up with a unique “hybrid” installation. It’s a customized installation that combines the SPF product with one of the fibreglass products mentioned previously.

The “hybrid” installation delivers excellent results, whether it’s the roof, attic, or basement. The SPF product provides excellent sealing and insulating while the fibreglass provides the cost-effectiveness.  Together, these two product combinations provide the homeowner with superb long-term outcomes.