Eco Insulation – What are the Different Kinds of Insulation Available

 

Hello all, welcome to the Eco Insulation website. If you’re looking for an insulation contractor in Peterborough Ontario, Eco can absolutely help! Eco Insulation provide a range of home and business insulation solutions to suit all needs and budgets, so no matter the project, new build or retrofit, attic insulation Peterborough, crawl spaces or basements, we can help. We are also able to help with any insulation removal projects.

Not only are we committed to the finest levels of customer service and quality of work, but we are also committed to the responsible use of insulation products; all Eco Insulation products are certified recycled, and have official recognition from the Canadian Construction Material Centre.

By using insulation companies Peterborough you’re going to get the very best bang for your buck, no matter which type you choose. Properly installed insulation will reduce external heat from penetrating into your home, and also reduce central heat from escaping during the colder months, so you’re going to be using less energy, saving money, and doing your part to save the planet! Definitely, something we’re all about at Eco Insulation.

At Eco Insulation Peterborough, we understand that choosing an insulation product can be a confusing task, so today our plan is to tell you a bit more about the different types of insulation products on the market, and what uses they are best suited to.

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R Value

Before we go into any detail on the types of insulation available, it’s important to understand something called ‘R-Value’. The R-Value of insulating material is a measure of how resistant it is to flow of heat for a given thickness of the material itself.

 

R-Value is a numerical system, the higher the R-Value, the better the insulative properties of the material being used for the given thickness.

Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is typically sold in flat square, or rectangular sheets, rather than in rolls. It is one of the most commonly used types in homes today. Batt insulation is made from fiberglass or rock wool, and is known for how easy it is to install. Depending on the brand and type, you may find that it is lined with foil, or it may not be. An insulation company in Peterborough Ontario would typically install batts in an attic, in walls, in floors, in ceilings, or even between the frame of the home structure, it is a very dynamic material. It is supplied in a wide range of R Values and therefore may require multiple layers to achieve the recommended R-Value for your Peterborough Ontario home.

Batt insulation has a typical working life of around 10 to 25 years, as long as it stays dry; once it starts to sag, it needs to be replaced. If it gets wet, it may also need to be replaced, as drying becomes difficult and it can begin to harbor mold.

 

Cellulose Fiber

Cellulose Fiber insulation is the original home insulation. It is mostly made from shredded paper fibers, typically 75-85% recycled or upcycled newspaper, which makes it an environmentally sound choice. It is a good choice as an addition to existing structures and can be blown into these cavities to fill almost every gap without damaging the walls. It is generally treated with boric acid or ammonium sulfate during manufacturing to add flame retardant qualities. When treated with borates, cellulose fiber can assist in keeping unwanted visitors out of your home – boric acid is a commonly used bug repellant/pesticide, so while this isn’t the intended function, it’s certainly an added bonus.

 

Blown Fiber

Blown fiber insulation is made of similar fiberglass or rock wool to batt sheets, but it is broken up with shreds, granules or nodules that resemble the stuffing of a plush toy or artificial fill pillow. By using special equipment, this blown fiber material is spread into a building’s cavities, or on to an attic floor, conforming to the space in which it is applied. This is not a job that is recommended for ‘DIY’, and should be installed by an insulation contractor in Peterborough Ontario like Eco Insulation.

 

Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is a relative newcomer when it comes to home insulation techniques, it is an absolute wonder material and creates a true air barrier and insulating layer, properly sealing all areas in which it is correctly applied, including around pipework, corners and edges, which are typically the areas where most air leakage is encountered. Spray foam insulation is as effective on new builds as it is on existing structures.

 

Spray foam insulation, once cured, becomes completely rigid, maintaining its shape and insulative properties for the remaining life of the building. In fact, one of the biggest draws of using spray foam is that it can boost the strength of a roof by up to 250 percent when applied correctly, and can potentially increase the longevity of the structure itself.

Once the compound is mixed as sprayed it will begin expanding, in fact, it will expand between 20 and 100 times its liquid volume! This makes it an ideal choice for filling absolutely every nook and cranny, and this is why it is simply the top of the line choice on the market today. After this product is dry, it is basically inert, and will not send itchy, and potentially dangerous fibers up into the atmosphere when touched.

 

There are two types of spray foam available today, open cell, and closed cell. No matter which is applied, it will properly fill the area in which it is applied and will assist in insulating your home from ambient noise, and will also deter the development of mold. There subtle differences between the two types of spray foam insulation; open cell being lightweight and pliable. Closed cell foam is much denser, and therefore much heavier, it is very resistant to extremes of temperature and is, therefore, a great choice for areas with hot summers and cold winters. Closed cell spray foam is also completely waterproof.

 

Spray foam insulation has the highest R-Value of any of the other varieties available and should be seen as a long term investment. It is definitely the most expensive, but none of the others will;

• save you as much on your monthly energy bills;
• last as long before needing a replacement;
• take up as little space in your attic;
• be overall as effective.

 

Closed cell spray foam insulation, like the kind used by Eco Insulation must only be applied by licensed and certified professionals, so this is definitely not a product you can try to install yourself – even if you have the equipment, get it wrong, and you’re going to make a big mess.

 

We do hope that this guide to the different types of insulation today was of use to you. As an insulation company Peterborough Ontario, we understand all about the need for insulation against warm summers and brutal winters, and feel we’re ideally placed to help. So if your searching the web for “Insulation Company near me” or “Insulation Contractor Peterborough” then feel free to contact us today. We offer an absolutely free consultation to help you figure out exactly what it is you need for your home or business, and we’d love to meet you! If you live in Peterborough Ontario or surrounding areas Call today to find out more and arrange your free appointment.

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