Attic Insulation in Toronto
THE BEST ATTIC INSULATION SUPPLIES IN TORONTO
Attic Insulation Toronto
Attic insulation is one of the crucial things you need to do as a homeowner is to ensure that your property is well insulated. Proper attic insulation helps you keep your home at a desirable temperature throughout the year. Attic insulation will also save you money on heating and cooling. At Bernardi Building Supply, we provide the best attic insulation supplies Toronto.
What is Attic Insulation?
Attic insulation entails placing a barrier that prevents energy flow from a structure’s interior to the exterior. Proper attic insulation will keep your home warm when it’s chilly outside and cool when it’s hot outside. Properly insulating your attic is more than installing the appropriate installation. It’s about preventing unnecessary air leakage, making your home more energy-efficient, and preventing moisture build-up that could cause damage. The symptoms are noticeable from season to season when the attic is not well insulated.
With our attic insulation supplies, you can achieve a truly insulated building envelope. The heat and cool are well managed throughout your home, and the overall indoor home environment is enhanced.
What is Attic Insulation Cost in Toronto?
Expect to spend between CAD$1.5 and CAD$3.50 per foot or CAD$1,700 to CAD$2,100 for attic insulation cost in Toronto area depending on your preferred insulation material. Spray foam is the most expensive insulation option and is best for a newly constructed building and noise reduction. On the other hand, blown-in insulation is the cheapest option and perfect for old attics.
If you intend to insulate your attic, expect to pay the installer about $70 hourly. It’s recommended to retain the expertise of an electrician to insulate around electric cables and junction boxes safely. Thus, you may have to pay an additional $85 per hour.
Depending on the complexity of your attic insulation project, the scope of the work to be done, and the specific insulation material, the total cost for professional insulation services is likely to range from $1.50 to $3.50 per foot. Here is an overview of how much you are likely to spend on your attic insulation project.
Attic insulation is an effective way of making significant savings on your energy bills. Prior to contacting a building contractor, it’s essential to know the available insulation options and how much each option costs. The cost of upgrading your attic insulation will depend on several factors including:
- The size of the attic (usually calculated in sq. ft.)
- The type of insulation material in the attic
- The treatments required prior to installing the insulation product
- Depth of the existing insulation
- Scope of the project
Property owners can choose alternative materials such as structural insulated panels and reflective insulation. As you choose the right insulation for your attic, keep in mind that efficient insulation can lower energy bills and keep the temperature regulated in the house.
Rolled or blanket (batt) insulation
Made of long rolls of insulation fibers held together with a reflective foil backing, batt insulation is ideal for attics with standard spacing between joists, existing insulation or newly contrasted property free from obstructions.
The resistance to heat flow (R-value) per inch is:
- Cotton: 3.7-3.3
- Fiberglass: 2.9-4.3
- Mineral wool: 3.0-3.33
- Cellulose: 3.7-3.8
The average cost is $2,091.
Blown-in (Loose Fill) insulation
This type of insulation is usually sold in large bags with sizeable chunks of cellulose, mineral wool fiber, or fiberglass. During installation, a contractor uses a blowing machine to ensure even small spaces are perfectly filled. Blown-in insulation is ideal for attics with obstructions between joists, irregular framing, and old attics with some form of insulation.
The resistance to heat value per inch is:
- Cotton: 3.7-3.3
- Fiberglass: 2.9-4.3
- Mineral wool: 3.0-3.33
- Cellulose: 3.7-3.8
The average cost is $1,796.
Spray foam insulation
This is an expensive insulation option and is available in both open and closed cell options. Closed-cell is denser and offers an excellent barrier against water and air. On the other hand, open-cell is a cheaper option but doesn’t offer any barrier. It sticks perfectly to whatever surface you spray to and that means the installer can easily apply it to the ceiling for extra protection. Spray foam insulation is ideal for insulating newly built properties, insulating against noise, and outdoor applications.
• Cotton: 3.7-3.3
• Fiberglass: 2.9-4.3
• Mineral wool: 3.0-3.33
• Cellulose: 3.7-3.8
R-value per inch is 5-6,
and the average cost is $2,208.
Types Of Attic Insulation
While considering different attic insulation supplies, your focus should be on the thermal resistance or the product’s R-value. The right insulation should reach the thermal resistance level that keeps warm air out during summer and winter. Therefore, the R-value plays a vital role while determining the efficiency of a home insulation product.
Each type of attic insulation has its advantages and disadvantages.
Fiberglass Insulation
There are different insulation products that can be used on your attic. Fiberglass insulation is often recommended because, unlike cellulose, it doesn’t hold moisture on the drywall or lose its insulating power overtime. Cellulose is also likely to decay and contribute to growth of microbes in your attic because it acts as a source of food. Fiberglass can be installed quickly and cover the hard to reach areas in your attic. You don’t have to worry about areas such as the corners and framing in your attic not being adequately insulated when using fiberglass.
When fiberglass is properly installed, you’ll enjoy a comfortable, energy efficient home with minimal heat loss. Fiberglass is made using recycled glass and you can find different types in the market that don’t contain any chemicals. Fiberglass doesn’t settle so it will always remain effective in your home. Some types of fiberglass insulation must be installed using large tracks mounted with blowing wool machines. Remember that proper installation is key to ensure the fiberglass works effectively in your home.
Fiberglass bats are easy handle and install, you can apply them in any area of your home. They are popular due to their ease of installation and cost-effectiveness. Proper installation of fiberglass batts is essential to avoid gaps and increase efficiency.
Bernardi Building Supply is a one-stop-shop for all attic insulation supplies Toronto. We provide a great variety of attic insulation products that suit the diverse needs of our clients.
When To Use Cellulose
If you have cellulose insulation in your attic and only a small section needs to be removed or replaced due to water damage, then you don’t have to install fiberglass. It’s always good to consult a qualified insulation expert who will help you make a choice on what product to use based on what’s ideal for your situation. Ideally, any insulation, whether fiberglass, cellulose or spray foam, will work well so long as it is installed the right way by someone who has skill and experience.
Fiberglass is often recommended for attic insulation Toronto because it works for our climate. Cellulose will retain moisture but fiberglass has better moisture resistant properties and can dry out if it is only exposed to small levels of moisture.
How Much Will You Spend On Attic Insulation?
The cost of upgrading your attic insulation will depend on several factors including:
- The size of the attic (usually calculated in sq. ft.)
- The type of insulation material in the attic
- The treatments required prior to installing the insulation product
- Depth of the existing insulation
- Scope of the project
How The Attic Insulation Process Works
When you hire contractors to upgrade your attic’s insulation, the first thing they’ll probably do is to lay down protective cloths in strategic areas in order to prevent damage when they walk in and out of your home. The technicians will then mark the area that requires new installation so that they can go ahead and get just the right amount of product. If your home was built before 1980, insulation stops will be used during installation.
A hose is used to blow in the new insulation into the attic. The technicians will come with a truck which has a blowing machine where the insulation product is loaded. Insulation and weather-stripping will be done in the necessary areas. Before the hatch is closed, you should be able to see the work done after installation is completed. Insulation must be properly installed in order to be effective and maintain its lifespan.
How To Prepare Attic For Insulation
Before you purchase insulation and begin hauling hoses or bundles up into your property’s attic, it’s recommended to do enough preparation first. Sure, it’s a messy task, but proper preparation boosts chances of getting the insulation installed properly. Here are a few tips to help you.
- Tip #1: Seal Air Leaks
- Tip #2: Fix Roof Leaks
- Tip #3: Box Out Light Fixtures
- Tip #4: Direct To The Exterior
Seal Air Leaks
Generally, spaces between the lower floor and the attic or gaps in the attic will allow heated or cooled air to escape to the unconditioned spaces. That makes the insulation less efficient. To fix air leaks around the attic windows, use minimally-expanding foam around the casing. Also, you can use foam weather-stripping to effectively seal leaks around the jambs and sash.
Other common areas associated with air leaks include areas around wires, ducts, pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, and more. It is in your best interest to work with an expert who knows the process of sealing air leaks in different areas. This will ensure that cooled, or heated air doesn’t escape your attic and increases the efficiency of your property’s attic insulation.
Fix Roof Leaks
You can procrastinate a long lost list of household issues, but roof leaks should never appear in that list. The initial dangers of a leaky roof are damage to the attic space, and everything kept there. And water has always been insulation’s worst enemy. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation is likely to become saturated and will take a long time to dry out.
Water in the attic creates a perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold. This ruins the air-trapping pockets that prevent airflow. If not corrected in time, chronic water intrusion in the attic will deplete the insulation rendering it useless. That means your property will lose cool or hot air, leading to higher utility bills.
Box Out Light Fixtures
You should never let insulation material come into contact with recessed cans or lights unless you intend to use mineral wool as insulation or all your fixtures are already rated ‘safe’ for the specific type of insulation material you are using. It could cause a fire. Consider using metal flashing scrap plywood, or hardware cloth to create a 3-inch safety gap around all your fixtures.
Direct all fans and exhaust vents to the exterior
Keep in mind that it’s against construction code to vent any type of exhaust to the attic space. While most property owners have gotten away with this shortcut, it’s never a good idea. It’s time to correct that mistake to ensure that humid exhaust air does not get trapped in the insulation and lower its efficiency.