Fibreglass Batt Insulation and Fibreglass Loose Fill Insulation in Hamilton

Understanding the fundamentals of residential insulation

For those thinking about fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation in Hamilton, it would be wise to have a fundamental understanding of the basics. The aim of residential insulation is to eliminate what expert installers call “heat transfer”. During winter, “heat transfer” occurs when warm air from inside escapes out. Similarly, during summer, warm air from outside flows in. Both scenarios aren't good, and both are undesirable for a homeowner: energy efficiency is greatly reduced; energy consumption is inflated; and energy bills are higher than should be.

For professionals in the industry, a home is seen as a “building envelope". It's made of building materials that have an impact on “heat transfer” - sometimes in a positive way, and sometimes in a negative way. With an insulation project, eliminating the negative impacts of “heat transfer” is the primary aim. And so it's important to install an insulation product that will efficiently eliminate “heat transfer”. With a professional install, the well insulated home will experience much improved energy efficiency, reduced heating/cooling bills, and ongoing money savings through the year.

What's important with any insulation project is to focus on the main aims: suppressing undesirable air movement; inhibiting moisture collection where its unwanted; and augmenting R-Values in areas where the new insulation is being installed. Also important is to work with a professional installation contractor. For many homeowners, it may be tempting to save money with a DIY approach to insulation, but the better outcomes result with a contractor who is professional and proficient. The truth is, it's the experts who have the right experience with product and installation to deliver the best results.

Fiberglass insulation is popular in regions of North America

Throughout North America, fibreglass insulation is a popular install in many homes. The two main product groups - batts and loose fill - have been the popular option for roofs and attics for many years. Both fibreglass product groups provide satisfactory levels of R-Value, and will improve the overall energy efficiency wherever installed. With a professional installation, energy consumption and utility bills will be reduced measurably. As well, product lifespan is satisfactory, and R-Values will uphold for many years.

Most insulation projects do better when an installer is experienced. Expert installers understand how best to deliver long term outcomes. This is especially important with fibreglass insulation because the “thermal blanket” must be properly installed. Fibreglass batts, as an example, need to be installed strategically for the “thermal blanket” to perform at peak. And it's similar with loose fill insulation, where the “thermal blanket” must be installed with consistency and uniformity to perform at its best.

The benefits of installing fibreglass insulation products

Whether an installation entails fibreglass batts or loose fill, a professional approach is highly recommended. The products themselves are considered safe; completely asbestos free; and also odour free. Fibreglass will not corrode or combust, and most brand names are air-quality certified. Fibreglass products do not retain small amounts of moisture, and when properly installed will not measurably settle.

A finished fibreglass installation will not attract rodents or animals, and will not  attract any insects. The environment is also not friendly to mold or mold spores, and with proper ventilation, fibreglass should not deteriorate. For fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation in Hamilton, the overall project costs are very cost effective.

The disadvantages of installing fibreglass insulation

From a professional perspective, fibreglass insulation does not properly resolve the issues related to air movement and moisture accumulation. In the attic or roof, this is a problem, since air movement and moisture collection is going to compromise insulation performance levels.

In both attic and roof, residual air movement is a big problem when fibreglass is installed. As it is, fibreglass products do not effectively seal, and because sealing is so vital for insulation to perform, it's a real problem. Simply put, poorly sealed is also poorly insulated.

The big drawback with fibreglass is wetness. Wet fibreglass will definitely deteriorate – then lose its product integrity – then lose its R-Value. And deteriorated fibreglass will require complete removal, repair work, and complete reinstallation of the insulation.

The worst case with wet fibreglass is mold growth, and here, an infestation will require remediation. Mold can get dangerous, and remediation is best left to a professional – it involves removing the insulation, repairing the damage and reinstalling the insulation.

Spray Polyurethane Foam - the experts' product of choice

Because of the disadvantages of fibreglass insulation, more and more experts are recommending Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF). One application of SPF does more than any other product – restricting the accumulation of moisture, preventing air movement, and insulating with exceptional R-Value.

Air leakage is a major problem when insulating a space. It will be the cause of heat and cool loss during summer and winter. But with Spray Polyurethane Foam, air leakage is prevented – the application will seal a space completely and create an insulating envelope that is airtight.

Spray Polyurethane Foam does more in one installation than any product on the market. It's an application that creates an impermeable air barrier and vapour barrier, and provides an insulation barrier with better R-Value than any comparable insulation product or combination of products.

The best overall solution is the “hybrid” installation

While Spray Polyurethane Foam is regarded as the best product available today, it's a premium priced product and application, and may not suit all project budgets. As an alternative installation, the professionals at Great Northern Insulation have created a new approach - the “hybrid” installation.

This “hybrid” installation is a unique approach that combines the SPF product with a fibreglass product, delivering the best of both product groups. The Spray Polyurethane Foam provides exceptional sealing and insulating, and the fibreglass product provides more R-Value and cost-effectiveness.

With the “hybrid” approach, an insulation project can generate measurable annual savings that make the original investment a worthwhile venture.