A Guide to Insulation Options

House wrapped in a scarf isolated on white

Upgrading your insulation is a great way to increase the comfort of your home, create a healthier living environment, boost your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your energy costs. If you’re planning a major remodel that includes opening up walls, ceilings and floors, this would be a great time to upgrade your insulation. Adding on insulation to your current insulation system can be done in the attic, when finishing a basement or for new construction.

Qual-Pro Interiors in Edmonton gives information on three popular insulation choices:

Fibreglass Batt Insulation

insulation contractors Edmonton Fibreglass batts come in plastic wrapped bails and are installed snuggly between your wall studs.  This insulation type is popular among do-it-youselfers because it is widely available at building supply stores, is affordable, familiar and comes in standard sizes that are designed to fit perfectly between wall studs, rafters and joists. Installation is fairly simple.

Fibreglass insulation is known to be itchy, so installers should wear protective clothing. It will also have to be cut to fit in small or awkward spaces between pipes, ducts and other obstacles. It has good insulating power, but it can lose some of those insulating properties if it is compressed and does not perform as well as cellulose insulation. Fibreglass batt insulation will have to be sealed with a proper vapor barrier to prevent moisture build up and air leaks.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is typically made from polyurethane or polystyrene. The components of the product are mixed using special equipment and then moved through a heated hose to the spray foam gun for installation. It has a high insulating value due to it’s thickness and will create an air sealing barrier on walls, roofs and around corners.  Spray foam is slightly less expensive than fibreglass or cellulose insulation. Though installation may seem easy enough, getting the right mixture and temperature of the components are crucial and it is a job best left for the professionals at Qual-Pro Interiors. Since spray foam insulation is so air tight, it is important that your house is properly ventilated to ensure moisture and stale air isn’t getting trapped in your home.

Loose-Fill Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is a plant fibre, similar to paper, that has very low thermal conductivity making it a great insulator. Loose-fill cellulose insulation can be blown into your attic over existing insulation using an insulation blower. This method will ensure the insulation is covering the entire space and filling into every nook and cranny. It can also be blown into open wall cavities, floors and other hard to reach places. Cellulose is slightly more resistant to air leakage than a fibreglass insulation system, making it a more efficient choice.

Some fibreglass insulation products can be loose-fill and installed using the blow-in method. As Qual-Pro Interiors which would be the best choice for your situation.

Signs your need an insulation upgrade:

During the winter you might notice your walls and floors are cold to the touch. You might experience higher than usual heating costs and uneven heating levels throughout different areas of the house.

During the summer you might find your house gets uncomfortably hot. The summer sun heats up the air in your attic and if your insulation isn’t performing, that stifling hot air will start to seep into your living space. You might also notice that your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it used to and/or your cooling costs are higher than usual.

These are all signs of insulation problems. If you’re unsure, get in touch Qual-Pro Interiors.  They specialize in interior renovations including drywall installation, taping, ceiling texturing and insulation installation. They are committed to customer service and offer high quality insulation services and products.

Beat the heat this summer and stay warm in the winter. Contact Qual-Pro Interiors today!

 

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