Is Your Home Insulated Properly?

Insulation improves the comfort levels in a house by acting as a barrier against environmental conditions ranging from extreme cold to extreme heat. Professional home insulation involves putting the right insulation where it is needed, all the way from the roof down to the basement and foundation. Properly done insulation prevents energy loss in a home and ensures that energy bills remain low. Different types of insulation will work differently depending on where the insulation is installed and how the space is being used.

The attic

Before insulating an attic, it is important to do any repairs and seal any air leaks. Loose fill or batt insulation can then be installed. Loose fill insulation gives better coverage and is more affordable than batt insulation.

Ceilings

It is important to leave some room between roof decks and ceiling to have ample space for insulation in a cathedral-style ceiling. Foil-faced insulation is preferred as it has the required permeability ratings. Vent baffles should be maintained to allow for ventilation between roof decking and ceiling. Regardless of the style of the ceiling, insulation helps protect the interior of the home from the exterior elements.

New and remodeled walls

A new wall offers more choices in insulation techniques including: insulated concrete blocks, structural insulated panels, and insulated concrete forms. In a new wall of the traditional form, wall framing techniques should be considered to give improved R-values which translate into better insulation.

Blown-in insulation works best for remodeled walls. A dense packing technique gives superior air sealing. This type of insulation has the advantage of quicker installation when performed by an insulation contractor.

Basement

There is more flexibility in the type of insulation that can be used in the basement, however, it depends on whether the basement was previously insulated or not. For interior basement insulation, the insulation material must be fire rated and moisture proof. Some of the more common insulation types recommended by professional home insulation experts include:

• Insulating concrete blocks (new construction)
• Insulating concrete forms (new construction)
• Blanket (batt and roll) insulation
• Loose-fill insulation
• Foam board insulation
• Sprayed foam insulation

House foundation

Insulating the foundation minimizes moisture leakage, pest infestation, and radon infiltration. The most common materials for home foundation insulation are insulated concrete forms and blocks.

Air ducts

Insulating air ducts reduces energy losses. It is also recommended that air ducts are placed in conditioned spaces where insulation is properly done, to prevent air leaks.

Slab insulation

In a new building, insulating the slab is best done by installing a foam board against the exterior of the slab and footing. In an older building, this is done by digging around the perimeter for proper installation.

A professional home insulation service is your best bet in installing home insulation properly. It is an involving task that can only be handled by an experienced hand. Here at 4 Weather Insulation & Roofing, we have been serving Calgary with professional insulation services for over a decade. Contact us today for any of your custom insulation needs.