If you’re looking to choose insulation for your home, the first two questions on your mind should be where you want that insulation to be located, and what purpose you want that insulation to serve in your building.
With that in mind, what better way to consider your choices than a breakdown of each type of insulation and the purposes they could serve for your project. There are lots of services available to you from residential insulation companies around the Ottawa area.
Let’s start with getting to know different types of insulation you can expect, where you’ll find them and what they can do for you:
1. Blanket: batts and rolls
- You’re going to find this type of insulation for your unfinished walls, floors and ceilings.
- This is the most common insulation, and also one of the cheapest. It is very energy efficient, and serves as a sound reducer.
2. Concrete Block insulation
- Also standard for unfinished walls, but also can be used for construction or major renovations.
- With this one you’re going to get ten times the insulating value that you would with a traditional concrete, and it can also moderate indoor temperatures.
3. Foam Board or Rigid Foam
- Use this for your unvented low slope roofs, as well as your floors, ceilings and unfinished walls
- With this option, you’ll block thermal short circuits if you continuously install it over frames or joists
4. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs)
- Another option for your unfinished walls, but this one will be directly built into the home’s wall, creating a high thermal resistance.
5. Loose-fill and blown-in
- This option is to enclose existing walls, or perhaps you would like to open new cavities. You’re also going to use this for unfinished attic floors, and other hard to reach places.
- Think of this option in particular for adding insulation to existing finished areas, or irregularly shaped areas.
6. Reflective system
- This one is also effective for unfinished walls, ceilings and floors, as well as being an appropriate bubble form for irregular framing alongside your more standard framing needs.
- If you’re looking to prevent downward heat flow, this choice is for you!
7. Rigid Fibrous
- Use this option for ducts in unconditioned spaces, and for other spaces that require insulation but can notably withstand high temperatures.
- That resistance to high temperature is the key here and the reason why you’d pick this option.
8. Sprayed foam
- Sprayed for enclosing existing walls, as well as opening new wall cavities, and unfinished attic floors.
- It’s good for adding insulation to those already existing finished areas, and can handle irregularly shaped areas, including being placed around obstructions
9. Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
- And finally, use this option as well for unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs for new constructions.
- It will provide more superior, uniform insulation and will take less time to build.
We’d love to discuss your insulation needs with you further. We can discuss which insulation best suits your situation. Find further information and contact our team here.
