There are numerous types of insulation used in attics, including fibreglass, mineral fibre, cellulose, and spray foam.
Air sealing an attic is also important to the overall comfort of a home in every season.
Attic insulation is the easiest and most cost-effective upgrade to a home.
A properly insulated attic can save you an estimated 10-50% on your heating bill (especially important in Ontario’s climate).
We discuss more of the benefits below, but one of the biggest advantages of installing attic insulation is the cost savings. If you have your attic properly insulated, you can expect to save between 10 and 50 percent on your heating bill.
Having your attic air sealed as well as insulated can help with cost savings. This is especially welcome news to Ontario residents who are used to dealing with long frigid winters and high heating bills.
Aside from saving you money, insulating your attic has other benefits. Installing attic insulation is a bit like wrapping your home in a blanket. But it doesn’t just keep it warm in the winter months. It also helps to control the temperature during warmer weather.
Attic insulation creates an air and vapor barrier throughout the year, so you get thermal insulation in every season. As a result, temperatures in the home remain more stable, making the space more comfortable.
Wondering if you need to replace your old attic insulation? Most attic insulation needs to be replaced after about 15 years, but here are a few telltale signs it may need to be redone sooner:
For the attic space, spray foam is ideal. When properly installed, a spray foam application creates a complete “blanket” that seals and insulates at one time.
The “blanket” envelops the entire attic floor, including the support beams, the plumbing and electrical, and other penetrations into the attic space.
As for insulation value, spray foam will deliver a higher R-Value than any other product on the market. And the benefits will be noticeable every season.
Because an attic needs sealing and insulation, spray foam combined with blown-in cellulose or blown-in fiberglass is the best option. It creates an air barrier and vapor barrier in one application, and restricts air movement completely (the primary reason for energy loss).
Although the spray foam product and installation is more expensive than others, the considerable energy savings make the project cost very worthwhile. Indeed, the “payback” period only takes a few seasons.