Basement Insulation in Brantford

For decades, basements in residential homes were hardly used. The space was primarily allocated for the washing machine and dryer; the water heater; and the furnace equipment. Beyond that, basements were used for storage. The space was cold, damp, and musty – not very livable. Basement walls were cement brick, without insulation, and without drywall. But things have really changed over the years, and basements have been transformed into livable, usable and comfortable areas of the home. In Brantford, basement insulation is one of the first steps in transforming a basement into a living area that is family friendly.

Every homeowner will make a basement space functional in a different way. For some, it could be another washroom; for some, another bedroom; and for some, a home-office. For many homeowners, a self-sufficient apartment suite is the ideal option. But for all, the common point is creating comfort, and comfort is a direct result of insulating the entire space properly. There’s no doubt that a well-insulated basement is kept warm during the winter months, and cool during the summer months. And for those homeowners in Brantford, basement insulation is the way to significantly conserve energy. While reducing utility bills.

Many homeowners still don’t grasp the entirety of benefits that come from basement insulation.  They don’t quite understand that basements have to be insulated to the same degree as other parts of the house. For the professionals in the insulation industry, a well-insulated basement is often considered more important than other parts of the house. The truth is, with a high quality insulation product, and a professional installation, an insulated basement can bring more benefits and cost savings than many other renovation projects. This is especially true when compared to home improvement renovations like entire kitchens or washrooms.

As far as project costs, a basement insulation project is definitely worth the initial investment. By using a top-quality product, along with an expert installation, the overall indoor environment of the home is going to benefit. Air movement and air leakage (indoor and outdoor) will be much better controlled; the newly installed R-Value (a measure of thermal resistance) will be enhanced; and moisture will be stopped from accumulating. Finally, the HVAC unit (both heating and cooling) will perform at improved efficiency.  All of these things considered, a well-insulated basement will definitely assure measurable savings on utilities.

Will insulating a basement be an investment that’s worthwhile?

When comparing various home renovations, insulating a basement is certainly one of the better options in terms of cost investment. A good insulating product, and a proper install, will reduce the cost of heating and cooling throughout the year - annual savings assure a good investment.

What would professionals suggest for optimum levels of R-Value?

Insulation professionals widely concur that high R-Value makes for a better outcome. The same rule will apply in the basement, where higher R-Value translates into better thermal resistance. However, all of the outcomes will ultimately depend on the size and layout of the basement.

After the insulation work has been completed, are savings evident?

When a basement has been insulated with spray foam insulation, there are measurable savings throughout the seasons.  And when seasonal temperatures reach their extremes, energy conservation is more evident. But once again, cost savings would depend on basement size and layout.

When insulating the basement, are there building codes to follow?

Building codes will differ by region, by building, and by the type of work. For example, new construction will be governed by different specifications than a renovation project or retrofit work. To be sure, a reputable contractor will execute all required work by following the building code.

Is there any preparation work required with basement insulation?

The most critical problem in any basement would be water entry. A problem like this must be fully resolved before any type of insulation work is undertaken. Serious, or not so serious, water entry must be resolved fully and properly. In some cases, it may become a big repair project on it’s own.

How do the “difficult-to-reach” spots in the basement get insulated?

A basement will usually have “difficult-to-reach” spots. These are hard to properly insulate, and not every product can do the job. Spray foam is likely the best product for those “difficult-to-reach” spots. It can seal and insulate in a single installation, like no comparable product on the market.

In Brantford, basement insulation should begin with a reliable insulation contractor – it’s a good idea and  highly recommended. The team at Great Northern Insulation routinely advises homeowners on the products and installations that would be best for their particular job. In fact, for the team at GNI, spray foam has become the insulation option for many. And it’s an option that has gained wide popularity for the basement. One installation provides excellent R-Value, a superb air barrier, and an efficient vapor barrier.

From a professional point of view, the best basement insulation begins with the floor. With this approach, spray foam insulation is installed into the floor, and then covered with a coating of concrete. The floor is completely sealed and insulated in one shot. When it comes to the basement walls, the priority here is to make things airtight.  Once again, spray foam is the answer - it creates an airtight space; it stops air leakage; and it effectively prevents unwanted moisture from gathering throughout the basement space.

Well-insulated basements are bound to conserve energy – for the average homeowner, energy conservation means lower utility bills. According to professionals, a spray foam installation will deliver better outcomes than other comparable insulation products. Spray foam does it all in one single application. A good install will create a desirable airtight space, with a very effective air barrier, and an equally effective vapor barrier. And when it comes to insulation value, spray foam has higher R-Value ratings than other options.

As a top-rated, premium product, spray foam is not compatible with every budget. At Great Northern Insulation, an excellent alternative for homeowners would be the “hybrid” install - a fitting combination of the spray foam product and fiberglass “batts”. For this, spray foam is applied, and followed with an install of fiberglass “batts”.  It’s cost-effective, and well suited for most budgets. But most importantly, the results are excellent, the products work well together, delivering short term and long benefits for the homeowner.