Basement Insulation in Guelph

For many years (especially in northern climes), basements were relegated for washing machines and dryers, for the hot water tank, and for all the furnace equipment. The space was vacant, walls were made of cement, and there wasn’t any drywall or insulation. Basements were known to be cold and damp, stale and musty. Today, basements are comfortable, livable spaces, and in Guelph, basement insulation is key when its time to design and build additional living space in the basement.

Living space in the basement could take on a number of different forms. It could be an additional bedroom; it could be a media room; a small office; even an apartment suite. Today’s basements are both functional and comfortable, and it all comes from a space that is well insulated. Good insulation keeps the space warm in winter and cool in summer. But it also conserves valuable energy, and in Guelph, basement insulation can contribute to significantly reducing seasonal utility costs.

Many homeowners still don’t appreciate the full impact of proper basement insulation.  They don’t realize that basements should really be insulated to the same degree as the rest of the house. In fact, insulation professionals would argue that basement insulation is MORE critical than insulation in the rest of the house. Insulating the basement is actually one of the better home improvements that can be initiated. There are far more benefits than other home improvement projects.

In terms of cost, basement insulation is very much worth the initial investment dollars. A good product, like spray foam insulation, can benefit the indoor environment in many ways. Indoor and outdoor air movement is constrained; R-Value (thermal resistance) is measurably augmented; moisture accumulation is averted; and HVAC equipment functions at its peak. Best of all, energy usage is conserved, which in itself translates into significant savings from one season to the next.

Is basement insulation a worthwhile undertaking?

As a home improvement project, basement insulation is definitely a worthwhile undertaking. An installation that is professional, with a good product, is guaranteed to reduce heating and cooling bills every year. The total annual savings make it all well worth it.

What do professionals recommend for basements?

Industry professionals are in agreement that the benefits of insulation are relative to the installed R-Value - the higher the R-Value rating, the better the energy conservation. But, results vary with basement size, with the product, and with the installation method.

After insulation is installed, are savings noticeable?

When a professional installer uses a quality product like spray foam, the savings on utilities are noticeable from season to season. However, total cost savings will depend entirely on the basement size and layout, and on the totality of R-Value that is eventually installed.

Is there a building code for insulating the basement?

Very often, building codes will depend on geographic locale, especially with basements.  And with new home construction there will likely be different requirements than with existing basements. A reliable contractor will know the building code and will work accordingly.

Does a basement require prepping prior to insulating?

If the basement has a water entry issue, this needs to be identified, assessed and repaired. It could well be problematic, and would require proper repair first and foremost. The truth is, repairing a water entry issue can sometimes become a major project just on it’s own.

How do hard-to-reach basement areas get insulated?

Most every basement space, regardless of layout, will have some hard-to-reach areas. These are difficult to insulate, except when using spray foam insulation. There’s no other comparable product that will reach, seal, and insulate in the same way that spray foam does.

For homeowners who are considering basement insulation in Guelph, it’s a good opportunity to call in a reliable contractor. Professionals like the team at Great Northern Insulation have experience and expertise to make viable recommendations on both product choice and installation. And today, GNI recommends spray foam as the best insulation for the basement. One application surrounds the walls completely, creating an insulation barrier, air barrier, and vapor barrier all in one install.

The best approach to basement insulation begins with fully insulating the floor. With this approach, spray foam is applied onto the floor first, and then covered with a conventional layer of concrete. This is well beyond effective - the floor is sealed and insulated to the maximum. Continuing with the basement walls, it’s imperative to create a space that is totally airtight - another good reason to use spray foam. It will provide an airtight environment, inhibiting airflow and moisture at the same time.

Bottom line, insulating the basement properly is primarily about conserving energy, and for the homeowner it should be about reducing utility bills. The professionals will tell you that the best results are derived with spray foam, a premium product that delivers the most in one single application. Importantly, it makes the entire basement airtight, and allows for the most effective air barrier and vapor barrier. Spray foam also delivers an R-Value that is higher than any other comparable product.

Spray foam is a high-end, premium product, and not necessarily suitable for all budgets. As an alternative, Great Northern Insulation offers a “hybrid” install - an installation that integrates spray foam and fiberglass “batts” into one application. With this approach, the spray foam is initially applied, and followed up with a comprehensive install of the fiberglass “batts”.  It’s a cost-effective installation, suitable for every budget, and without compromising any of the excellent long-term results.

In Guelph, basement insulation is one of the better home improvement projects. And while spray foam is broadly considered to be the best, the “hybrid” approach from Great Northern Insulation has become a great alternative. The “hybrid” products work well together, sealing and insulating, and further providing a cost-effective investment. But in the end, every installation must be comprehensive for best results. And for the installers at Great Northern Insulation, a quality product, a proven installation, and a quality approach will deliver the best results, both short term and long.