What Does an Insulation Contractor Do?

insulation contractor ottawa

Insulation contractors are simply specialized contractors. Their job is to install thermal insulation in your home to solve a whole host of issues that could severely damage your property during extreme weather conditions.

What do Insulation Contractors do?

Insulation contractors are responsible from day one of your insulation projects to do the following;

  1. Review the area where the insulation is needed. 
  2. Assess the blueprints.
  3. Source materials and deliberate over which is the best course of action.
  4. Insulate property correctly to ensure it is protected from the cold, heat, and moisture.

Types of Insulation Contractors

Insulation contractors can be further specialized by method or by type of work.

Residential Insulation Contractors

Working closely with homeowners, insulation contractors with a residential specialization seek to add insulation to existing homes or incorporate it into new builds. 

In the case of existing homes, insulation contractors will access the home, understand the challenges the property faces, and try to fix each issue. They’re fully aware that insulation can solve a ton of problems such as;

  • Energy consumption and High energy bills.
  • Drafts in the home.
  • Damage to pipes when cold weather freezes them.
  • Pesky Ice dams.
  • Regulate temperatures to avoid rooms being too hot or cold.

With the construction of new homes, insulation contractors work with contractors to ensure these problems are never experienced by future residents. 

Commercial & Industrial Insulation Contractors

When it comes to commercial and industrial properties, these specialized insulation contractors work alongside builders, architects, and project managers to meet stringent building codes. 

Commercial and industrial insulation contractors work on all types of non-residential buildings. For example, they insulate buildings such as schools, hospitals, office buildings, factories, etc.

When an insulation contractor specializes in commercial and industrial, they rarely cross over and work on residential insulation. This is partly due to how commercial and industrial insulation companies are structured.

Forever Problem Solving

Insulation contractors are problem solvers at heart. They’re coming in to insulate your home or business, but they’re solving problems that have long existed. Some of these problems you may not have noticed, and some you may have gotten so used to by now, you no longer realize it is a problem.

Comfort Issues

When it gets hotter and colder, depending on the season, you may have noticed your house gets hit really hard with intensive variations of the outside temperature. So when insulation contractors come and insulate your home, they’re looking to minimize or eradicate the issue entirely to regulate your home’s temperature.

Solving Annoyances and Saving you Money

You are a busy person who doesn’t have time to deal with the annoyance of what a cold front or heatwave might do to your home.

Insulation contractors work to make sure annoyances like this never happen. This not only gives you peace of mind, but it also saves you money. No more replacing pipes or worrying about the foundation.

High Energy Bills

One thing insulation contractors know is that proper insulation can lead to a reduction in energy bills. So they’re counting on that as a significant point of interest for people on the fence about going through with the process. 

Nobody should be against insulating their home, considering how dangerous it can be to live in an area with extreme weather conditions. However, if there is some doubt, saving money long term is always a great sales pitch.

Are you looking for the best insulation contractors available to make to ensure you get your basement correctly insulated? Then, don’t waste any more time! Instead, go to our contact page and get in touch with us about a free estimate. Ottawa Insulation is ready to chat with you about your basement ambitions.

What Are The Benefits of Basement Insulation?

basement insulation

Basement insulation is an important part of any home improvement project. Providing numerous benefits to you as both a homeowner and as someone who lives in that home. We’re going to break down some of the best benefits of basement insulation for you to help make the decision that much easier.

Reduced Energy Consumption

With basement insulation, you’re allowing your home to benefit from a more regulated temperature. So while some days will get colder, and others perhaps warmer, you’re able to enjoy a home that is protected and is climate controlled by basement insulation.

As a result of this regulated temperature, you’re reducing your energy consumption on things such as heaters or air conditioners. So while using heaters or air-conditioners isn’t off the table, the need and intensity at which you use them will be considerably diminished. 

You’ll reduce energy consumption and save money on your gas and electricity bills in the long run. Bonus, you’ll remain warm on those cold winter nights.

Lower Moisture Content

What might be one of basement insulation’s most significant benefits is how it works to protect your home from accumulating moisture and condensation. When a house has a high moisture content, you risk the growth of mildew, mold, and fungi over time. 

The risks associated with mold, mildew, and fungi are hazardous health-wise and structurally to your home. In addition, with the accumulation of moisture and the ensuing instances of mold, mildew, and fungi, you risk allowing your home to degrade and subsequently destabilize. 

When you properly insulate your basement, you stand the chance of either avoiding or decreasing the risks.

Protects Pipes From Freezing

Cold weather conditions can bring a host of problems with them. Any homeowner knows that the colder the temperature, the more devastating the effects it could have on certain aspects of your home. One of those aspects is water pipes, which can freeze in extremely cold conditions.

Water pipes freezing can result in damages that require costly repairs. However, suppose your basement is appropriately insulated. In that case, the risk of freezing water pipes is reduced substantially to the point where it is highly unlikely it will happen to you. 

Protect the Foundation

When you apply exterior basement wall insulation, you’re protecting your home from outside water damage. In the colder climates, when freeze and thaw cycles run rampant, having an insulated exterior basement wall means it acts as a buffer, protecting the structure from moisture problems. 

Code Compliance (Area Dependent)

Some provinces/states, counties, towns, etc., actually have requirements for homes to be adequately insulated to ensure longevity in the structure. Make sure you actually look at the building codes for your location. 

Knowing the building codes can completely change the topic of discussion. The conversation will go from ‘what reasons should I get my basement insulated?’ to ‘how do I get my basement insulated?’ to ‘how much insulation will I need?

Are you looking to make a move and get your basement correctly insulated? Then, don’t waste any more time! Instead, go here and get in touch with us about a free estimate. Ottawa Insulation is ready to chat with you about a plan for comprehensive insulation in your basement.

Attic Insulation – What You Should Know

attic insulation ottawa

Why Should You Insulate Your Attic?

Insulating your attic can help prevent gradual damage to your home. With extreme heat or cold comes moisture and water. The presence of moisture can cause wall erosion and negatively impact the structure of your home.

Insulation minimizes and effectively prevents such an occurrence.

What Should You Know Ahead of Insulating Your Attic?

Here are three things you need to know ahead of insulating your attic.

What is the Current Condition of Your Attic?

Grab a builder or architect and inspect the current state of your attic. Look out for existing moisture problems such as wet or damp insulation, mold, or rotted rafters. This can identify if there’s a potential leak in your roof.

Also, take note of the rafter size. Many older homes have undersized rafters that are no longer up to building codes. As a result, when the heat rises in the attic, helping to melt snow accumulated on the roof, it can sag the rafters, leading to roof failure.

Properly Seal The Space

Once you’ve made an evaluation, make sure the attic is properly air-sealed. Ensuring the space is appropriately sealed means you need to be on the hunt for any space air can get in from; holes, cracks, gaps, etc. 

Deciding on the Best Insulation Method Beforehand

Now it’s time to decide on the method of insulation. We’re going to break some of the processes down to help in your decision-making and understanding.

What Are The Different Methods of Attic Insulation?

There are many different insulation methods for your attic, but these are a few we believe are worth mentioning and going over.

Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation

Fiberglass Batt is a double-edged sword. It’s easy to add insulation but doesn’t do a great job insulating. Regardless, people focus on the straightforward and speedy nature of this method and, in turn, have made it one of the most popular attic insulation methods.

Loose-Fill Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation

When it comes to new construction homes, loose-fill fiberglass batt insulation is dominating the space. To insulate, you’ll need an insulation blower as it’s nearly impossible to spread it around yourself. In addition, older fiberglass can be itchy and bothersome to your skin and lungs, so keep this in mind as time goes on.

Loose-fill Fiberglass Batt Insulation has an estimated R-value of 2.5 per inch.

Cellulose Attic Insulation

Cellulose is made from recycled ground-up paper and boric acid. The boric acid helps control bugs and protect against fires. Like loose-fiberglass batt, you’ll need an insulation blower to install the material properly. 

Cellulose Insulation has an estimated R-value of 3.5 per inch.

Spray Foam Attic Insulation

There are two types of spray foam insulation materials. 

  • Closed Cell – (R-Value of 6.5)
  • Open Cell – (R-Value of 3.6)

When installed correctly, these insulation materials do a phenomenal job of filling in all gaps and ensuring no air gets through.  The closed-cell foam also acts as a moisture barrier. However, it is an expensive method of choice and shouldn’t be installed as a DIY project. 

A final note on spray foam attic insulations that heed against a DIY method is the use of highly toxic chemicals, which, if misapplied, can have devastating effects on the health of home residents.

Are you looking to make a move and get your attic correctly insulated? Then, don’t waste any more time! Instead, get in touch with us about a free estimate. Ottawa Insulation is ready to chat with you about your basement ambitions.

Closed Cell or Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation: Which is Right for Your Home?

spray foam insulation ottawa

Having home insulation done is a great option when you want cold or heat out of the home. But what is better, closed-cell or open-cell spray foam.

Ottawa Insulation is here to help answer that question as we know how important insulation is for your home. You already know that insulation slows down heat movement or heat transfer. Furthermore, you get different types of spray foam insulation and one of the best choices you can make. It is eco-friendly and provides a thermal barrier as well as an air barrier. But deciding which one works for you comes down to the following:

What is Open Cell Spray Foam?

Open-cell spray foam comprises polyurethane and can contain other raw materials such as soybean oil. Furthermore, the R-value you will find is a bit lower compared to your closed cell spray foam. Compared to closed-cell foam spray, open-cell products are a bit more susceptible to fluctuating temperatures.

The spray foam you can apply to the roof, ceiling, or walls. Moreover, another main difference with the lower density is that it does have less power to trap sound, air, and is not as waterproof. When used in colder climates you may need added vapor retarders with some of the applications to mitigate these problems.

So if you live in an area where moisture is of concern it might not be for you.

What is Closed Cell Spray Foam?

Compared to open-cell foam spray, the closed-cell product has a higher density with heat flow resistance. It has the same structure of polyurethane and can expand a lot of the original size. Therefore, it fills up more in cracks to seal them off. You apply it primarily to crawlspaces, ceilings, roofs, knee walls, and the attic.

Furthermore, the substance sticks to a rigid surface and does not fail like other insulation options. The most significant advantage of this insulation method is it is the best vapor barrier and waterproof. It helps reduce moisture that usually leads to mold concerns. Therefore, it needs no added vapor retarder or hindrance.

While more costly it is a worthy investment with long-lasting effects.

The Best Spray Foam Insulation in Ottawa

Having spray foam insulation done in your home in Ottawa is the best insulation you can have. It is energy efficient and you can use it in different applications throughout your living space. Ottawa Insulation provides you with both open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation. Contact us today to discuss your insulation concerns. With our help and free estimate, we can determine together what works best for you.

 

Prevent a Steep Learning Curve When Buying Your First Home

buy home insulation ottawa

Okay, why would we say that? The fact is that it is true, especially when buying your first home. Many new homebuyers forget insulation, as it does not spring to your mind at first. Neither do you think about the insulation benefits? That is why we at Ottawa Insulations want to remind you that it should be high on your list looking at your new home and for a good reason.

The Importance of Home Insulation

When you have the proper insulation in your house, it controls and maintains the temperature, creating a comfortable living space. These you notice in summer when it’s too hot or winter when too cold. Furthermore, the insulation material makes your living area soundproof while acting as a moisture barrier to prevent your family from falling ill. Did you know that insulation could also cut down 15% of your cooling and heating costs? Yes, it can as half of your energy costs come from the cooling and heating systems.

Great! But how much Insulation Should I Have Installed?

Here it all depends on several factors. First, you need to look at your location. If you live in a place that gets very cold or hot you, need more insulation. A fact is that the R-value of insulation varies from one province to another. Therefore, if you live in an area with a higher R-value, the more resistant material needs using. For example, when you buy a home in Ottawa, the attic insulation is between R-50 and R-60. Yet, if you have had your home built recently, the optimal insulation levels should be acceptable. That is if the builders considered energy conservation. However, if you buy an older home, the likeliness is that it needs more insulation.

What Parts of My Home Should I Insulate?

For the best insulation, we recommend installing it in parts known as thermal envelopes or living spaces where heat escapes. These usually are your exterior doors, ducts, crawlspaces, basement, windows, ceiling, attics, and walls. Furthermore, we can use different types of insulation, and it depends on the part of the home needing insulation. Yes, that sounds reasonable, but what kinds of insulation do you find.

Different Types of Insulation

For the floors, walls, and ceilings, you can use a batted insulation made from fiberglass, and it has a broad range of R-values. While for the attic, a sprayed foam or blown-in blanket works well. You even find bib insulators that seal up small and uneven areas, causing heat loss.

Achieve the Best Insulation with Ottawa Insulation

Okay, great, but I can save loads of costs on doing it myself, right! Yes, as a first-time homeowner, you can go the DIY method, but not recommended. You may end up paying more, especially if you do not have the right equipment to get the best results. Instead of paying damage fees on top of buying your new home, it’s better to get an expert who knows the home insulation procedure.

Our team of experts can help you choose suitable material to ensure your living space is insulated correctly. At the same time, the material will also be compliant with the local and provincial building laws. So whether you want wall insulation, floor, or attic insulation done, we can help. The best part is you can get a free estimate by completing the online form or giving us a call. So schedule your appointment today to avoid unnecessary costs.

The Best Way to Save Energy in Your Home

save on home energy ottawa

Do you cringe when looking at your high utility bill? Yes, we know how you feel, as this happens in many homes. Nevertheless, how can you save energy to keep your living costs low? Here are some helpful ways to save on your household’s energy use.

#1 Adjust Your Living Lifestyle

There is no need to go and spend thousands on energy-efficient products. All it takes are some simple changes from turning off lights not used. Other changes are washing the dishes by hand instead of starting up that dishwasher. Do you use a tumble dryer, then it helps to hang dry your clothes. These minor adjustments help with utility saving costs from turning down the heat in winter or adjusting that AC to less in summer.

#2 Use CFL and LED Light Bulbs

Yes, incandescent bulbs conserve more electricity than CFL and LED light bulbs combined. You can save up to 80% on your bill, and they last longer compared to traditional ones. While more expensive, they provide efficient energy-saving costs in the end.

#3 Get Smart Power Strips

When electronics are in standby mode or turned off, the phantom load is a significant source of wasted energy. Electronics in standby mode consume up to 75%, costing you a lot a year. A smart power strip eliminates phantom loads shutting the power of electronics off when not in use.

#4 Use Smart Thermostats

Using a programmable thermostat automatically switches off the cooling and heating when you’re away or sleeping. Doing this eliminates energy waste without the need to upgrade the HVAC system. You can save on average $180 per year using one.

#5 Saving Costs with Energy Efficient Appliances

Now, we are not saying go and spend all your money. You can do this gradually when your appliances fail to work. Instead of spending money on that cheap fridge, spend a bit more on buying one that is energy efficient instead. Look for Energy Star Rated products consuming less power when used.

#6 Bring Your Water Heating Expenses and HVAC Use Down

Yip, this is a significant contributor to your energy consumption. Invest in energy-efficient water heaters when the time comes to replace them. Alternatively, you can use less hot water, turning the thermostat down and having it insulated as well. If you plan to replace it, pick a tankless one to save on your power bill. The same applies to the HVAC system consuming more than 40% of energy in the home. Choose an ENERGY STAR model to save a big chunk on your bills.

#7 Insulate Your Home

The pivotal role in lowering the utility bill is to retain heat in winter and keep it out of your home in summer. To be able to achieve this, home insulation can help. The recommended R-value or level of heat resistance depends on where you live. In warmer climates, the R-value is lower compared to colder regions. Furthermore, it depends on how big an area needs insulation. Some places that need insulation are crawlspaces, the basement, floors, attic, and walls.

Do you do need to get your home insulation checked, get a free estimate today from Ottawa Insulations.

Conserve Energy Today

It is essential and beneficial to save money, protect the environment, and increase your property value. By taking simple energy-saving measures, you can save costs on your monthly bill without getting a shock. The small steps mentioned provide you with energy-conscious living to enjoy the other perks instead of spending it on your electricity bill.

Three Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

spray foam insulation ottawa

A superior solution to insulate your living space is using spray foam. For decades, it rules the market and provides many benefits for the home. Whether you have an office or home, using spray foam insulation is beneficial, as seen here.

It Makes the Building Comfortable

First, spray foam insulation prevents temperature instability promoting a consistent climate in your work and living space. The reason is it creates airtight seals protecting the structure from elements. In turn, this keeps the inside area dry, comfortable, and warm. Another benefit of adding comfort is it deters moisture. Water can easily seep through pipes and vent openings, placing your health at risk. You will be healthy, and it saves costly expenses on the damage. The foam retains those properties pushing into tiny cracks with little chance of water causing damage. Therefore, you get no structure damage or indoor allergens caused by dust to mold entering the home.

Environmental Friendly for You and the Environment

Are you concerned about your family and our planet? Are you busy going green? Then using spray foam insulation is the best eco-friendly choice. The best part it reduces the carbon footprint while consuming less energy. Polyurethane is made to last and does not lose its effectiveness with time. When the polyurethane combines with the isocyanate, they expand and harden without losing shape. In turn, it adds strength to the building as it glues to the structure and acts as a layer of protection against wind and humidity. Installing it is easy as the application is simple to install. Furthermore, it reduces sound from the traffic or your neighbors.

Saves You Money

One of the main benefits is everyone wants to save money where they can. With spray foam insulation, you can save costs on your cooling and heat bills. While it can cost a bit upfront, you save money in the end. For more detail on buying spray foam, check out our article here. As the substance expands, sealing up holes utility systems need not work hard to keep the living or workspace comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Are you convinced? Not, then let us run through some of the benefits again. First, you can reduce the risk of ice damage. The likelihood of mold developing lessens, and you can enjoy a quieter living space. Furthermore, it limits the infiltration of pollutants leading to allergies. The spray stays set over time without sagging. Best of all, it keeps temperatures constant.

You are convinced yet! Give Ottawa Insulations a call for a free estimate today to have your property spray foam insulated. The best part is you can keep your residence or business warm in winter and refreshing in summer. In addition, we will provide you with the best in-home or business consultation at reasonable rates. So give us a call now.

 

Why Your Home Needs Attic Insulation

attic insulation ottawa

Great you have all the stuff you do not use stored in the attic. Some of those possessions might be old photos or items handed down by your family for keepsake. Nevertheless, does your home have proper attic insulation? If not, learn why you should consider it.

Did you know that the attic provides a protective barrier for your house against the cold, humidity, and heat? A crucial function, especially if you have valuables stored in the loft. However, insulation not only helps for protection against elements. It does more than that. Here are some benefits of having your attic insulated. 

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

If your home is poorly insulated, outdoor pollutants from dust to mildew enter through roof air leaks. As time progresses, these airborne toxins cause damage to contents stored in the loft. Furthermore, it enters your living space, compromising the air quality. In turn, this leads to allergies and other ailments. Therefore, to enjoy a cleaner indoor environment having your home insulated leaves you with cleaner air to breathe.

Enjoy a Comfortable Living Space

A natural occurrence in the home is heat that flows from the warmer to your cooler spaces. Even if your house has a modern cooling with heating system, severe temperature drops happen when under-insulated. So, your home becomes too cold or hot faster as the temperature changes outside. For this reason, the upper floor temperature differs from the lower levels. You can find temperature differences between 10 to 15 degrees. If you have an attic, your main bedrooms you find upstairs. So when you add insulation, it provides you with a comfortable sleep at night and early mornings.

Safer Home Structure

To prevent damage to the home structure, it helps to have the attic insulated. Damage occurs from the moisture of heat building up in the roof. Furthermore, insulation prevents the water vapor from seeping through the walls causing leading to corrosion. Moreover, it slows down the heat buildup in the loft, causing shingles on the roof to crack. Another benefit is that it prevents ice dams from forming when the snow melts and refreezes on the roof’s edge. Other benefits are it prevents mold buildup preventing mitigation of the condensation.

Prevents Wear and Tear on HVAC Systems

Most old homes have many drafts caused by poor insulation. As a result, HVAC systems need to work overtime to help keep the temperature constant. In addition, if you have ductwork running through the attic, it worsens. With proper attic insulation, the cool air does not linger at lower levels as the heat rises, leaving less wear on the HVAC unit. In turn, this leads to less heat in summer or heat loss during winter.

Want To Lower Your Utility Bill

A fantastic way to achieve this is with attic insulation. You can reduce your utility bill up to 70%. When the roof has proper insulation, you can save 15% on both cooling and heating costs. In addition, air sealing the home saves 11% on your total energy costs. Furthermore, the home design, type of heating system, and your family lifestyle affect the costs.

Will Insulation be Worth It in the Attic

When you look at all the benefits, the answer is yes. So if you’re considering attic insulation, Ottawa Insulations is ready to help. Get your free estimate now with reasonable rates and quality workmanship. One thing you can feel assured of everything takes place in a safe and eco-friendly way. The best part is you can reduce your annual energy costs up to 50%.

Improving Your Home’s Energy Efficiency With Attic Insulation

attic insulation ottawa

Attic insulation has one major advantage over other forms: it’s much more effective at keeping you cool. While the concept may seem complicated to you, it actually isn’t. In fact, it’s quite simple once you grasp how it works. Here’s how attic insulation works to keep you comfortable year-round:

Attic Insulation – R Value. 

Attic insulation isn’t one element of your overall comfort and energy efficiency systems; it’s also part of a multi-pronged strategy to reduce your heating and cooling costs. Lowering your need for HVAC units and vent fans while insulating your attic is an important part of any overall strategy to save on cooling costs and decrease the use of the secondary air conditioning system as well. 

In addition to helping you stay warmer in the winter, lowering your demand for the HVAC systems on your roof and chimney, improving your roof’s insulation value, and protecting your home against moisture problems when coupled with a well-functioning roof and vent system, attic insulation also improves your overall comfort level. Attic insulation doesn’t just make you feel better about your place, it can also lower your heating and cooling costs now and moving forward.

Improving Your Floor Joists and Basement Design 

Improving your floor joists and adding insulation to basement walls can improve your heating and cooling costs while lowering your energy bills. You can do so much more with the money you’ll save from attic insulation alone. The easiest way to make that happen is to install a vapor barrier between your floor joists and basement walls (the vapor barrier acts as a vapor barrier to keep moisture out and provide insulation) using steel wool or drywall screws and rebar. This will add insulation and protection to your floor joists and basement walls, as well as significantly reducing moisture absorption.

How To Insulate Attics and Add Insulation to Walls 

There are many different types of attic insulation that you can use to improve your home. If you’d like a more customized solution, you can also use fiberglass insulation which is available in rolls and comes with the proper instructions for installation. Another option for insulation in attics is to use wood chips, newspaper, and even Styrofoam. Regardless of what type of insulation you choose, always read and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Also, it’s important that you consider all of your options before deciding on the right one for your home. You may be surprised at all of the different types of insulation available and the benefits they can provide.

How To Insulate Roof Attic and Add Insulation to Basements 

If your attic insulation needs are more severe, you can insulate the entire roof, attic floor, and or basement walls. This is referred to as “full attic insulation” which is one of the most effective ways to reduce moisture damage in the home. It provides insulation for the attic floor, as well as the walls, and ceiling above the attic. It is also very important to seal and repair all of these areas after installation, as they can become damaged from high humidity and moisture.

Whether you’re dealing with an attic insulation problem in one area of the home, or an entire roof project, it’s important to find a good professional to help you install it. Most contractors like Ottawa Insulations will come out and take a look at the problem area and give you some specific instructions on how to repair it. The most important thing is that they understand the difference between good attic insulation and poor attic insulation. If you have any questions or concerns about your attic insulation, then don’t be afraid to ask your contractor for their opinion.

 

Spray Foam Insulation – New Construction Or Renovation?

spray foam insulation ottawa

Spray foam insulation is one of the best ways to provide insulation for your home. It’s an inexpensive way to increase the energy efficiency of your home without making any structural changes. Basically, it’s an extremely dense foam that’s been filled with either a liquid or a powder. The spray foam insulation is usually placed over a rigid foam core. The core is filled with either a liquid or a powder so it will form into a thick but flexible mold that can be sprayed directly on your wall cavities.

The spray foam insulation is often referred to as insulating foam because it actually consists of several layers of highly-dense foam. This is usually composed of polyols and isocyanates, which respond differently when combined with each other. When this occurs, the materials expand to fill the gaps of the open spaces between the layers of foam, thus creating a barrier that locks in moisture inside your home. As it expands, the barrier eventually fills up all the cavities of the wall or flooring and will no longer allow air or moisture to move freely within it. It will also not let heat through.

Spray Foam Insulation in Ottawa

Spray foam insulation is one of the easiest kinds of fiberglass insulation to install. There is virtually no setup required in the form of clamps, brackets, nails or staple guns. You simply spray foam insulation down the walls, and then use a special fiberglass tape that aids in the adhesion process. Once you’re satisfied with the setup, you can then nail down the perimeter to hold everything in place and to prevent water from leaking out during the installation process.

Another advantage of spray foam insulation is that it creates a very effective seal that’s nearly impossible to breakthrough. A well-made sealant will be made up of thousands of tiny holes, called air leaks, all throughout your house. Air leaks happen everywhere, but they are especially prevalent in poorly insulated homes. By installing a spray foam insulation system in your home, you can create an airtight seal where you need one, and leave out places where you don’t.

Forms of Spray Foam Insulation

The spray foam insulation that you buy most frequently comes in two forms: either polyisocyanate or polyolsocyanurate. Polyisocyanate is much stronger than its alternative, polyolsocyanurate, and it also lasts for much longer than the former. Of course, if you live in an area where there’s been a lot of rain recently, then you’re probably best off with polyolsocyanate as it’s proven to resist damage from the ultraviolet rays of the sun better than polyisocyanate does.

One of the benefits of having your homes insulated is that it helps to reduce your heating and cooling costs. Another benefit of having your homes insulated with spray foam is that it helps to prevent mold from developing in your home and to protect your family from allergic reactions to dust mites and pollen. Mold and allergy sufferers are particularly sensitive to HVAC systems. There are many other benefits as well, such as lower energy bills, increased home value, and a more comfortable atmosphere. If you have HVAC in your home already, it’s highly recommended that you look into insulating your home with spray foam, not just new construction.

If you’re looking into insulation for your Ottawa home, contact our team today.