When it comes to attic insulation homeowners in London, ON do not give much thought to what is in there until they start having problems. Regardless of the type of attic or gable roof is in your house, there are some things to examine when deciding the best kind of insulation to put in your attic.
The first thing to know is that you really have only three choices here with types of insulation you can put in your attic: fibreglass batts, cellulose blown-in or spray foam. Most houses with accessible attics have an interior ceiling hatch. The hatch must be large enough to allow the installers from Chase Insulation to bring in their materials.
The next thing you need to do before you get new insulation anywhere near your attic is to check the attic’s insulation for its condition, water damage, the presence of vermin and noticeable air leakage. Damaged, wet, or mouldy insulation will need to be removed and any air leakage sites sealed up before placing new insulation. If you put an air-permeable insulation material over a hole in your ceiling, you may have comfort, indoor air quality, durability, and efficiency problems.
Batts
The most common form of home insulation is “Batt” insulation made of fiberglass and is the least expensive way to insulate a home. This flexible insulation material can act as a vapour barrier and gives the ability to add one or more layers to achieve the desired level of insulation. Bat insulation is not effective at stopping air from infiltrating through gaps and cracks in the home’s exterior.
Cellulose Blown-In
Cellulose is the oldest form of insulation and the most common choice of insulation for attics for our customers dealing with the climate in Southwestern Ontario. Cellulose is composed of recycled paper fiber, usually recycled newsprint and is typically used in enclosed existing walls and unfinished attic floors. When blown into stud cavities cellulose gets into all the nooks and crannies but can settle over time, causing the home to be uncomfortable and energy bills to rise. Cellulose must be kept dry as it absorbs water causing it to deteriorate and settle afterwards.
Spray Foam
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is widely used to insulate buildings and seal cracks and gaps, making the building more energy-efficient and comfortable. In the attic, spray foam is the most efficient product, it seals the entire attic space airtight, provides the highest R-Value insulation and adds structural strength. Using spray foam creates a combination air barrier and vapor barrier, preventing any air leakage or moisture accumulation in attics. The disadvantage with spray foam is cost and it’s not a product that most Do-It-Yourselves can install correctly.
When considering insulation for your attic although the initial cost can be more significant with Spray foam vs Cellulose or Batts, your home will be better insulated and require less energy for heating and cooling. As everyone knows, heat rises, when the lower part of your house is warm because your furnace is chugging away, the warm air is wafting up into the attic and out the roof. The only way to prevent this is to insulate.
We recommend you consult the experts at Chase Insulation before installing insulation in your home. Our experts will offer recommendations towards your insulation and discuss the GreenON rebate program of $1,500 for upgrading your attic insulation. We will save you money overall – and your house will be cozier and more energy efficient.