Insulation products

Aside from door and window glass, insufficient insulation is one of the main sources of heat loss in homes. Whether you're building or renovating, you should know about the different types of insulation on which you can count. And if you're faced with the challenge of insulating hard-to-reach places, remember that some insulation can be injected or blown.

The RSI factor shown on insulation packaging represents thermal resistance per inch for a given material. The R factor represents total insulation value for the material as sold. The higher the number, the higher the insulation value.
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Batts or rolls?
Rigid or semi-rigid insulation panels
Bulk insulation
Insulating foam

Batts or rolls?

Insulation materials sold in batts or rolls are made of mineral or fibreglass wool. They're effective and easy to install. They're also the most used for exterior walls and roofs. Their thermal resistance factor ranges between RSI-2.9 and RSI-3.3 per inch. Batts and rolls are designed for installation in 16- and 24-in. spaces. As a general rule, the space between wall studs is 16 in. while the space between roof joists is 24 in.

Fibreglass wool is also used to insulate the spaces that separate door and window frames from wall studs.

By way of example, it should cost you about $0.40/ft2 to insulate an exterior wall (R-20).

Rigid or semi-rigid insulation panels

Materials used in the manufacturing of rigid panels are pearl board (polystyrene), extruded polystyrene foam, phenolic foam and polyurethane. Their insulation ratings range between RSI-3.9 and RSI-6 (per inch of thickness.) As those materials are highly flammable, it's forbidden to leave them uncovered in the unfinished part of a basement, for example. In fact, it's to insulate basements that panels are the most used. They're easy to install on foundations. There are also more flexible panels on the market. They're made of fibreglass wool and are covered with a paper that acts as an air barrier.

Rigid and semi-rigid panels are also used in renovation to increase a wall's insulation value when replacing exterior siding, for example. Panels are designed for different applications (basement wall, exterior walls beyond the foundation, partly buried exterior walls.) Some products are designed for installation under roof coatings.

By way of example, if you want to add an additional R5 to a basement wall, it should cost you about $0.30/ft2 in insulation materials.

Bulk insulation

There are a number of types of bulk insulation on the market. They're made of fibreglass, or of cellulose or mineral fibre. Their thermal resistance varies between RSI-2.1 and RSI-3.6 per inch. This type of insulation is generally used in hard-to-reach spaces or, in renovation, to add insulation without getting into major work such as redoing walls or ceilings. The insulation is generally injected or blown. It can also be spread by hand. It's better to use bulk insulation in horizontal spaces where crushing is minimal and without impact on insulating performance.

By way of example, adding R-10 insulation value to the attic will cost you about $0.10/ft2 in insulation materials.

Insulating foam

Polyurethane foam (about RSI-6 per inch) is not very popular as a wall insulation material. And it can only be installed by a specialist.

However, foam sold in pressure containers is often used to insulate the spaces that separate windows and doors from studs. It's important to be careful because, once applied, the foam swells considerably and sets rapidly. Therefore, too much foam can, for example, warp a window frame, which can affect opening and closing mechanisms and the window's general performance.

Prices for insulating foam vary for a variety of reasons. Among them, the required thermal resistance, the area to be insulated and labour costs, if outside help is required.
We can state unconditionally that properly installed insulation will create a substantial reduction in heating costs, as well as increase your comfort.
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