Basement Insulation in London, Ontario

Years ago, residential homes had basements that were barely used. The basement was for the washer and dryer, as well as the water heater and furnace. Other than that, it was a storage space - vacant, damp, cold and usually musty. The walls were made of cement brick, without any insulation, and without any drywall. Basements were definitely not set up for living. Today, everything has changed, and basements have become quite comfortable and very livable. In London, basement insulation is essential when finishing a basement that will become a functional living space.

Making a basement livable is different for every homeowner. For some, it could be a TV viewing room; for others, it could be an additional bedroom; and for others, it could be a complete home-office. Some homeowners have even created self-contained apartments. But the common component for all is comfort. In short, comfort and livability comes from properly insulating the space, and the well-insulated basement is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. For homeowners in London, basement insulation is also a way to conserve energy and reduce utility costs.

For many residential homeowners, it’s still hard to grasp all of the benefits of good basement insulation.  It’s also hard to grasp the idea that a basement has to be as well insulated as the rest of the home. And in the insulation industry, professionals say that properly insulating the basement is sometimes more important than the rest of the home. This is often true - and with a professional install, a basement insulation project can deliver more substantial benefits and cost savings than most of the other home improvement projects, especially the ones that are just for show.

When it comes to project cost, basement insulation is worth the investment, both short term and long. With a high quality product, and an expert installation, the entire indoor environment benefits. Undesirable movement of indoor and outdoor air is controlled; R-Value (thermal resistance) is augmented; and moisture is effectively prevented from collecting. In addition, the HVAC system (heating and cooling) is allowed to perform at much better efficiency.  And when a basement is fully insulated with spray foam insulation, there are also noticeable savings on utility bills.

Does insulating the basement make for a worthwhile investment?

When it comes to home improvement projects, basement insulation is one of the better investments. With the right product, and an expert installation, lower heating and cooling costs are practically guaranteed. On average, annual cost savings make for a worthwhile investment.

What optimum level of R-Value do the professionals recommend?

Throughout the industry, professionals agree that higher R-Values make for better outcomes. In basements, the benefits of insulation are also based on R-Value. And although R-Value is a good measure, outcomes vary with basement size and with the specific product being installed.

When insulation has been complete, are utility savings apparent?

When the basement is insulated with spray foam, utility savings are noticeable from season to season.  And when temperatures are extreme, it’s even more apparent. Again, savings are directly related to the installed R-Value and to the relative size and layout of the basement.

Do building code specifications apply for insulating the basement?

Building code specifications differ by building type and scope of work. New construction, for example, will have different specifications than a renovation or retrofit. And with a good contractor, everything will be expedited according to established building code requisites.

When insulating, does the basement require preparation work?

The biggest problem in a basement is usually water entry - it must be resolved prior to any insulation work being performed. And whether the problem is serious or not, water entry must be fixed. In some situations, this is a project that may become a big undertaking of it’s own.

How are the “hard-to-reach” areas in the basement insulated?

Basements usually have areas that are “hard-to-reach”, and are consequently hard to properly insulate. With spray foam insulation, it’s no problem. No other product can seal and insulate those “hard-to-reach” areas like spray foam – and it’s all done effectively with one install.

For those looking for basement insulation in London, working with a reputable contractor is recommended. At Great Northern Insulation, the install team can advise on both product and application. And for GNI, the most recommended approach is spray foam insulation. It’s a product that has quickly become a favorite for the basement. In fact, with one installation, a basement is insulated with high R-Value, with an efficient air barrier, and with a superb vapor barrier.

The best way to insulate the basement is to insulate the floor. In this application, spray foam is applied right into the floor and covered with a concrete coating. The floor is totally sealed and insulated. When it comes to the basement walls, it’s important to make everything airtight.  Here, spray foam performs again - it makes a space airtight; it inhibits air movement; and it prevents air leakage. Indeed, it also prevents unnecessary moisture from accumulating throughout.

A well-insulated basement conserves energy. And for the typical homeowner, conserving energy translates into reduced utility bills. The best outcomes, according to industry professionals, come with a spray foam install. Best of all, one application can do it all. An expert installation creates an airtight environment, an excellent air barrier, and an effective vapor barrier. And in terms of insulation, spray foam provides the best overall R-Value of any comparable product.

As a product and installation, spray foam may not suit every budget. As an alternative, Great Northern Insulation offers homeowners a “hybrid” application, which combines spray foam and fiberglass “batts”. Initially, spray foam is installed, followed immediately by the fiberglass “batts”.  This approach is very cost-effective, and therefore suitable for most project budgets. More importantly, the outcomes are significant, and the two products work very well together.

In London, basement insulation is a worthwhile home improvement project by any measure. And for Great Northern Insulation, using a quality product and a quality install makes all the difference.