Fibreglass Batt Insulation and Fibreglass Loose Fill Insulation in Kitchener

The fundamentals of residential home insulation

For homeowners thinking about installing either fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation in Kitchener, understanding the fundamentals is a good start. For residential homes, the essential aim of insulation is to eliminate what professionals call “heat transfer”. This is something that happens in winter when warm air from the inside escapes out. And it also happens in summer when warm outdoor air flows inside. “Heat transfer” isn't good for any home, bringing poor energy efficiency, increased energy consumption, and energy bills that are higher than need be from season to season.

For the professional insulation contractor, a home is a “building envelope". In most homes, that “building envelope" is constructed with materials that impact “heat transfer”. In some cases, the impact is positive (good for the home), in other cases the impact is negative. Insulating a home is about eliminating the negative impacts of “heat transfer”. That's why it's important to choose insulation that will do the best job of eliminating “heat transfer”. A well insulated home improves energy efficiency, reduces utility bills (heating and cooling), and results in significant money savings throughout the year.

For the most part, homeowners are familiar with the insulation products and installation methods available today. However, whatever the approach, it's important to remember the main aims of insulation:  to suppress air movement; to inhibit moisture from collecting; and to enhance R-Value where the new insulation is installed. It's also important to work with a professional. And while it's true that money can be saved with a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, it's more true that better outcomes result with a professional contractor who has expertise and experience with product and install.

Across North America, fiberglass insulation is popular

Across North America (Canada and the northern United States), fibreglass insulation - batts and loose fill - are a popular installation. Batts and loose fill have become quite popular over the years in attics and roofs. These fibreglass products install good levels of R-Value, and serve to improve energy efficiency wherever installed. Fibreglass insulation will also reduce energy consumption during winter and summer. Properly installed, fibreglass has a good lifespan, with R-Values that sustain for many years.

Without doubt, a home insulation project requires expertise and experience. The professional contractor understands how product and installation can deliver the best results. And this is particularly relevant when installing a “thermal blanket” with any of the fibreglass products. Batt insulation, for example, requires a strategic install to ensure product performance. With loose fill it's the same -  the “thermal blanket” must be consistent and uniform.

The fibreglass products have a number of benefits

For best outcomes, fibreglass batts or loose fill insulation should be installed professionally - always based on the manufacturer's specifications. These products are safe for residential application. They are asbestos free and odour free. They are air-quality certified. They won't corrode or combust, and will not retain moisture in small amounts. Most brands contain recycled “glass”, and the finished install will not measurably settle during the long term.

Fibreglass insulation is fabricated not to attract animals, rodents, or insects. A good install doesn't provide a feeding environment for mold. And with the proper ventilation, fibreglass shouldn't deteriorate over time. The product and installation is cost effective for most project budgets. For homeowners who are thinking about fibreglass batt insulation or fibreglass loose fill insulation in Kitchener, overall project cost can be paid off with annual savings.

Fibreglass products also have some downsides

For the professionals, neither of the fibreglass insulation products properly resolve the issues of air movement and moisture collection. This is a serious downside when insulating the attic or the roof because air movement and moisture collection are problems that compromise product performance.

Another issue for the professionals is residual air movement. In short, fibreglass insulation does not seal a space well enough on its own. And since sealing is absolutely essential for insulation to perform, this is a serious downside. For an expert installer, a poorly sealed space is also poorly insulated.

The biggest problem for fibreglass insulation is wetness. Wet fibreglass is going to lose product integrity quite quickly, and will consequently lose R-Value. Once deterioration has set in, remediation will be required – and that means removal of all insulation and reinstallation to restore original R-Values.

Possibly the worst situation with wet fibreglass is the potential for mold. A mold infestation will require remediation regardless of extent. And because mold is dangerous, it must be handled by a professional who can remove the insulation, make repairs, and restore the space to original condition.

Spray Polyurethane Foam – SPF – the product of choice

With the many downsides of fibreglass insulation, many professionals are opting for Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF). This is because a single application of SPF will do it all – it will restrain air movement, it will inhibit moisture collection, and it will insulate the space better than any other product.

Air leakage is a universal problem in every insulation project. It will be the cause of heating and cooling loss in winter and summer. But with Spray Polyurethane Foam, there's no problem – the application seals a given space completely and creates an envelope that is totally airtight throughout.

Spray Polyurethane Foam does more in one install than any comparable insulation product on the market. It’s provides an effective air barrier; an impermeable vapour barrier; and an insulation barrier with R-Value that is unequalled by any single product or combination of products.

A “hybrid” install – a combination of SPF and fibreglass

Spray Polyurethane Foam is recognized as the best insulation product on the market. Professionals are recommending SPF for attics and roofs, basements and walls. But the install is not suitable for every project budget because of the premium price. As such, the professionals at Great Northern Insulation recommend a “hybrid” install. It's a combination install of SPF insulation and fibreglass insulation with benefits from both products. The SPF provides both sealing and insulating, while the fibreglass provides additional R-Value, and excellent cost-effectiveness.