Attic Insulation Tips and Tricks

attic insulation in ottawa

Ottawa Insulation Services provides a number of ways to insulate your attic’s from basic insulation services such as insulation installation, all the way up to complete insulation removal, hybrid service packages, and removing asbestos insulation. Our professional insulation contractors in Ottawa will take the time to evaluate your home and property to determine what your insulation needs are, how much insulation you actually need, and which removal services are right for you. 

They will discuss what their fees will be, and what methods of insulation removal they recommend. You may find that some insulation removal options may seem less expensive, but they may not be the best option for your situation or your home. Our professionals are also trained in removing insulation from attics and ductwork as well as framing walls and ceilings, so they can provide comprehensive insulation removal services to all areas of your home.

A Few Facts About Attic Insulation

Any discussion about proper attic insulation has to start with an understanding of R Value, the measurement used to determine the amount of radiant energy that will pass through a material and be absorbed. R-value is a measure of a material’s ability to resist the passage of thermal energy. There are four primary materials considered in measuring R-values, the most common being insulation foam. The type of material determines the level of resistance that a material can provide against thermal energy. The material’s R-value is usually affected by the following four variables:

Type of material (R-value) R values are usually expressed as per square foot. If you have radiant heat insulation installed in your attic you should use a material with a high R-value. You can obtain this information on a manufacturer’s website for each product. A high R-value means that more of the heat that passes through a material is absorbed than is lost. For attic insulation the heat loss is always greater than the heat gained so the material selected has to have a high R-value.

Type of Installation

Other factors that affect attic insulation R value include the type of installation, any existing windows or doors and whether or not flashing is involved. It is important to remember that if flashing is involved then it is usually necessary to remove the existing insulation to allow for the installation of new radiant heat insulation. Flashing is also more expensive than standard insulation because it is thicker. Another factor that affects the R value of an attic insulation product is the number of seams and areas that need to be insulated.

If you are using fiberglass attic insulation, then there are a couple of other issues to consider. The first is that this type of roofing is prone to leaking which will increase moisture in the attic. Secondly, if the base of your attic floor is not reinforced properly then it could cause the leakage of moisture that could lead to mold and mildew occurring within the attic space.

There are also a couple of other benefits that attic insulation prevents that you should know about. One of these is that it keeps your home cooler by lowering the temperature inside of the attic. If there is any moisture in the attic, the result is often a hot, stuffy, damp attic that can contribute to the formation of mold and mildew. Also, attic insulation helps to keep out unwanted smells in the attic because the attic will generally stay dry because the moisture won’t evaporate into the air. The end result of this is that attic insulation prevents health problems such as asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions that are associated with living in a home that is either insulated or insulated poorly.

If you’d like to learn more about attic insulation in Ottawa, contact our team today.

Improving Your Home’s Energy Efficiency With Attic Insulation

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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.

 

Why Should you Remove Your Attic Insulation?

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Do you use your attic or is it just a space that is for collecting junk or maybe it is nothing more than a crawl space? Whatever the purpose of your attic, can you tell how long it has been since insulation has been changed? You will find that most people don’t really worry about attic insulation, as it is something that is out of sight and out of mind. However, more people are getting attic insulation removal and then having this insulation upgraded. Is this something that you should consider as well? Chances are yes! We highlight the reasons why you should consider attic insulation removal!

attic insulation removal ottawa

  1. Helps with temperature regulation throughout the home.

When you have the old attic insulation removed, and it replaced with the latest insulation out there, you are going to see a difference in the temperature throughout your home. Most people don’t realize that old insulation loses its potency over time. If you have never had the insulation replace in the attic since you purchased your home or you do realize that the insulation is the old type out there, then attic insulation removal could be one way to save on your energy bills. Plus, you will find that this can help with the noises throughout the home and those that are coming from the outdoors as well.

  1. Do you smell mold or mildew when you are in the attic?

This is a sign that the insulation has gotten wet over time and this has set up with mold or mildew. Even a damp smell could be a warning sign that your insulation is damaged. When insulation in the attic has become wet, then you will find that the smells that set up here are going to travel throughout your home. In addition, having mold in your home can be highly dangerous for those with allergies or asthma. And even if you are completely healthy, mold is not something to mess around with. In this case, attic insulation removal is needed to ensure your health!

  1. How old is the current insulation?

Insulation, no matter how great it is, can and will wear down over time. Most people find that after 15 years, insulation needs to be removed and replaced. When you consider how much insulation is doing for your home, it makes sense that this will break down over time. And with attics being one of those forgotten rooms, chances are the insulation has not been added to or upgraded since the home was built. In these cases, attic insulation removal can aid in a number of ways throughout the home.

The good news is that we offer attic insulation removal that you can count on. We can come to your home, inspect your attic and give you the recommended course of action to help your entire home. Attic insulation removal is a job for the pros to ensure that this meets building codes and does its job, so be sure to contact us if you question the insulation in your attic.