When Is the Best Time To Get New Insulation?

Insulation for your home

You know you have to get new insulation for your home, but you are not sure when to do it? The answer is timing. If you manage to get your new insulation at the right time of the year, you will be able to save money on energy bills and keep you and your loved ones cozy and warm inside.

insulation ottawaTiming is Everything

When deciding the best time to replace your home’s insulation, you need to consider time of the year, whether you plan on remodeling some part of your home, and the time of the year when you are going to purchase the insulation.

Time of Year is important to consider. If you live in colder climate where the winters are rough, it is a good idea to improve your insulation prior to the colder months of the year. The best time of the year to install new insulation is during the spring, since it will help you save up during the summer months and into the colder months.

The Best Time to Buy insulation really depends on the homeowner. Usually, most retail places tend to have sales during the colder months. This is because a majority of people tend to have already added insulation to their homes and there is less of a need for it. However, the sooner you can buy and get the job done the better. Insulation helps your home stay cozy and helps you save money on energy bills.

During a Remodel is a good time to install new insulation because it will be easier and more convenient to do so, since you already have work being done in the house. If you add insulation and remodel after, you might damage the insulation and end up having to spend more of your budget adding insulation.

Types of Insulation

There is a wide variety of insulation types in the market, but the ones that stand out the most are blown-in and spray foam insulations because of their durability and effectiveness.

Blown-in Insulation

This type of insulation is fire-resistant with the assistance of cellulose. This type of insulation is good for any spots in your home where traditional insulation is restricted, since it could be flammable. Blown-in insulation is made of fiberglass with is durable but needs to be inspected every 15 to 20 years to make sure that it is in good condition.

Spray Foam Insulation

This type of insulation can last you a lifetime and helps you save money. This is because the spray foam insulation does not allow air flow to go through your house’s walls and ceiling, keeping it warm during the winter and cool during the summer. You will see the difference in your energy bills and feel it when relaxing at home with the family.

Choose Ottawa Insulation

At Ottawa Insulation, we provide a wide variety of services for all your insulation needs. Our team of experts can inspect your entire home to figure out if there are any issues before they become dangerous to you and loved ones. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of insulation services, including blown-in and spray foam insulation, floor and attic insulation, and insulation removal. To get a free quote from one of our representatives, access our website.

What You Need to Know About Spray Foam for Your Home

spray foam insulation

What you need to know before choosing a particular spray foam for your home

If you’ve found your way to this blog, you’ve probably already read about the particular benefits of using spray foam: it fits a diverse set of needs, saves energy, is economically friendly, and can easily uniform to different locations in your home. 

It’s a pretty great option to choose for your project, no doubt. But what about the different kinds of spray foam? Now that we’ve touched on the general benefits of spray foam, let’s go ahead and get a little more specific: 

High density ADF advantages 

Here we have the densest option. Think of this one for your roofing or exterior insulation needs.  Spray foam in general can be a game changer when it comes to conserving energy, but the high-density option in particular will save costs over a roof’s lifetime, as it has high thermal resistance properties. 

You’re also going to get great protection against water and air infiltration. This will increase your building’s ability to withstand damage that may be caused during periods of high winds. 

Medium Density ADF advantages

Here we have a type of insulation better suited to interior wall cavity fill, continuous insulation, and applications in unvented attics. 

This level of density acts as a water and air barrier, as well as—get this—a potential option for reducing noise. 

The benefits of this spray foam can depend on the particular climate and type of building, so make sure to discuss this with your contractor

Low Density ADF advantages 

And finally, let’s talk about your lowest density option. Why go for a lower density option? It can actually remain relatively soft and flexible after curing, providing heat insulation, and the sealing of airflow cracks, joints and seams. 

Choose this option for your walls, unvented attics, to ducts and ceilings. It will also be permeable to vapour and moisture. 

And again, another delightful consequence is the absorption of sound. 

There you have it—your different kind of spray foam. Which one sounds the most enticing for your project? Are you thinking more about resistance to heat, or the resistance to sound? These are important considerations for your home or buildings, and our Insulation teams in Ottawa are available to discuss them with you. Contact us to begin this conversation.

Types of Insulation in the Ottawa Area

Types of Insulation in the Ottawa Area

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. 

ottawa insulation

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.