4 Tips to Preparing Your Roof and Home for Winter

It’s November, which means it's time to get your house ready for the winter conditions ahead; snow, freezing rain, sleet, cold wind, and winter storms. Your roof protects your home against harsh weather conditions and it is essential that it's in good condition to keep your family comfortable and your energy costs low.

Roof winterization means not only a visual inspection of your roof surface, but also preparation of the areas around your house that might impact your roof in a winter storm. Here are some things you can do to prepare your roof and home for winter:

• Remove any dead trees or tree branches that could fall on your home now before the weather makes this task more difficult. Ice build up on these weakened branches can cause severe damage, especially in high winds.
• Inspect your roof thoroughly, look for missing or damaged tiles/shingles, warped or missing flashing.
• Clean off any built up debris and clean out the gutters to keep melted water flowing. Check that your gutters are clear by running water through from the roof surface.
• If you had an area of icicles hanging down from roof eaves last winter, then you should address the problem before you end up with water damage in your home and damage to your roof. Roof dams are often caused by inadequate ceiling insulation, or poor soffit and ridge ventilation.

We can help you evaluate the condition that caused the ice dam. Thermal imaging can pin-point areas of heat loss. Insulation can be added to stop the flow of heat out of the weak area. It's not always the case that you need to add more insulation - you might need a different type of insulation, so it's important to have professional advice.

If you need roof repairs, contact a licensed roofing contractor right away, and if your roof looks fine, remember it is a good idea to have a roof expert take a look at it every 2 or 3 years to confirm its condition.

As a homeowner getting ready for winter means more than turning off the exterior water, putting away the patio furniture, and firing up the snow-blower. Inspecting the overall condition of your roof and addressing any issues with your home insulation will help you fix problems causing snow and ice builds up. Don't wait until the damage is done. Ice dams not only cause roof damage but interior water damage resulting in the expense of replaced drywall.

Georgian Insulation is based in Oro Medonte. We cover all regions around Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood, Bradford, Alliston, Midland, Gravenhust, Simcoe County, Muskoka, Haliburton, Dufferin, North York, Grey and Bruce.

Contact Us for a Free Quote - Call 1-866-576-9338 or go to our websitewww.georgianinsulation.com and fill out our form.

How Proper Insulation Protects Your Home in the Winter

As winter approaches you want to make sure your home ( and the people inside!) are protected against the winter elements.

 The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corp. describes a well insulated house like dressing for winter.

             
"A wool sweater will keep you warm if the wind is not blowing and it is not raining. On a windy, rainy day, wearing a nylon shell over your wool sweater helps keep you reasonably dry and         warm. A house is similar. On the outside underneath the brick or siding, there is an air barrier that does the same thing as the nylon - it keeps the wind from blowing through. Then there is the insulation (like your sweater) and a vapour barrier, which helps keep moisture away from the house structure." 

 Some of the winter threats to your home include ice dams and heat loss. Ice dams may lead to costly damage on your roof and eavestroughs as well as interior water damage. Heat loss reduces your home's efficiency and leads to higher heating costs.

What are Ice Dams? 

Ice dams are formed when heat escapes from the home and causes snow to melt. The water formed from heat loss then freezes as it flows down the roof, closer to cold edges, causing ice dams and icicles. This ice build-up can create a dangerous situation for homeowners and their visitors. Attics require proper insulation and ventilation to function correctly.

 Your attic should have approximately 15-20 inches of insulation, in addition to adequate ventilation through soffits and at the top of the attic. Some recommendations for ice dam prevention may include:

• Adding insulation or ventilation 
• Air sealing the attic floor 
• Locating problem heat loss areas

 With the extremely cold weather trend in previous winters, many older homes that are lightly insulated are having a big problem with energy consumption and cold drafty areas. Homes built prior to 2010 might use upwards of 25% more space heating energy than newer homes. This is because of recent improvements in the building codes for insulation and airtightness levels.

 Signs of Insulation Problems in the Winter:

• walls cold to touch 
• cold floors 
• high heating costs 
• uneven heating levels within building 
• mould growing on walls

 In Canada over 60% of residential energy use goes to space heating, so a good portion of your energy bill is impacted by insulation problems or poor quality materials that aren't doing the job.

 To reduce energy costs you can look at adding insulation and reducing air leaks. A well insulated home will reduce your energy heating costs in the winter and your cooling costs in the summer. You can see how making sure your home has proper insulation is very important to protecting your home and loved ones, and keeping costs down.

 The right insulation system can not only reduce the amount of energy you use and save you money, but make your home safer and more enjoyable. It's an important upgrade or reno project and you want to be absolutely sure you have professional advice and excellent options. Georgian Insulation Systems, the areas leading insulation contractor will work with you to achieve the highest level of efficiency in your home. Call us for a free estimate on your project. 1-866-576-9338

8 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Insulation

Adequate insulation is your best defence against the cold weather. It keeps your warm air from escaping and prevents cold air from seeping into your home. But how do you know if you should add or replace your insulation?

If you’ve ever wondering why it’s so cold in your house, you may already be suspecting that it’s time to add or replace your insulation. But there are some additional signs you can look for that would indicate it’s time for change:

• High energy bill. There is absolutely no reason why you should accept a high home heating bill! If you’re not sure if your energy bill is high, consult with your neighbours and see what they’re paying per month. Most likely, the cause of a high energy bill is poor or damaged insulation. The good news is … updated insulation can reduce your energy cost up to 50%.
• Roof ice dams. Ice dams are formed when heat escapes from the home and causes snow to melt. The water formed from this heat loss will then freeze as it flows from the roof, causing ice dams and icicles. This is a dangerous situation that can be costly – and it’s also one of the most visible signs of poor insulation and ventilation.
• Changing temperatures within your home. Does your home feel hot at one minute, and then cold shortly after? This can be a sign that your home is allowing cold or warm air to enter or escape, often through the attic or basement, and sometimes even through the walls.
• Inconsistent temperatures in different rooms. What if you’re living room is warm and cozy, but your bathroom or bedroom are freezing cold? This is a sure sign of an insulation concern.
• Wet insulation. If you’ve recently had a flood or leak, it’s imperative that you allow your insulation to dry out completely. If your insulation does not dry properly, it can lead to mould.
• Damaged or aging insulation. Insulation used in older homes may not be as effective as the insulation available today. Not to mention that many types of older insulation, such as vermiculite, is considered unsafe to use today. If your experiencing the signs of poor insulation and/or have notice damage to your current insulation, it’s time to move forward with a retrofit.
• Cold drafts, cold floors or cold walls. If your floors or walls are cold to the touch, or you notice a cold draft when all windows are doors are closed, your insulation is not preventing cold temperatures to entering your home.
• No “air barrier”. The purpose of an air barrier is to prevent the movement of interior or exterior air through the insulation system. Homes lacking an air barrier (most older homes were not designed with air barriers), or homes that have a improperly installed barrier, should investigate insulation options to prevent air leaking to and from the home.

If you experience any of the signs of poor insulation listed above, it’s time to insulate your home before the cold weather hits again.

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free quote!

Georgian Insulation Systems is Central Ontario's premium spray foam insulation contractor. We're recommended by leading custom home builders, commercial design/builders, architects, home inspectors and our many customers. We provide Polyurethane Spray foam, Cellulose, Fibreglas, Roxull, Fireproofing, Insulation Removal, concrete slab lifting with injected polyurethane and epoxy crack filling.

Protect Your Home or Commercial Building with Grace Monokote Fireproofing

A fire is one of the most devastating and destructive disasters that can happen in your home or business. That’s why protecting a building from a fire is serious business.

Modern building codes require fireproofing in new buildings as a thermal barrier over spray foam. While spray foam has fire inhibitors blended into the material, it can still burn if other combustible materials are burning. So if spray foam is exposed to an occupied area of a building, it must be covered with a thermal barrier. This thermal barrier adds an extra line of defence to protect the building and its occupants.

Fireproofing products are used to prevent or delay the failure of steel and concrete structures exposed to fire. They insulate the structure during the event of a fire, delaying loss of the integrity of the structural membranes.

We offer Fireproofing Service using Grace Monokote® Fireproofing.

Grace Monokote® spray applied cementitious fireproofing is specified by architects and favoured by applicators to protect a building's structural steel from failure in the event of fire. Recognized worldwide for their in-place performance and superior durability, Monokote products can be found in all types of buildings including high-rise construction, manufacturing facilities, schools, hospitals, airports and sports facilities.

We will assist you in choosing the correct Fireproofing product to protect you home or commercial building. We consider the size of the building, exterior exposure, building materials and type of room.

Click here to learn more about Grace Monokote® Fireproofing or contact us today for more information.

Georgian Insulation Systems, is Central Ontario's premium spray foam insulation contractor. We're recommended by leading custom home builders, commercial design/builders, architects, home inspectors and our many customers. We provide Polyurethane Spray foam, Cellulose, Fibreglas, Roxull, Fireproofing, Insulation Removal, concrete slab lifting with injected polyurethane and epoxy crack filling. Contact Us for a Free Quote - Or Call 1-866-576-9338.

What Should You Do If You Find Vermiculite Insulation?

Summer is a peak season for renovations. Many people choose to include new insulation in their renovation plans since it goes a long way in reducing your energy consumption and can increase your home’s resale value.

But what should you do if you discover vermiculite in your attic or inside your walls?

Vermiculite insulation was used for many years as home insulation. It was installed in thousands of homes in attics and walls. For years it was believed to be a safe and harmless product. Several years ago researches discovered that some of the vermiculite contained low levels of asbestos.

What is Vermiculite Insulation?

Vermiculite was mined from the Libby Mine in Montana and from several mines in South Africa. It is the vermiculite that came from the Libby Mine that contains harmful asbestos fibers.

There are two distinct types of Vermiculite insulation. It may resemble expanded multi coloured “popcorn” or “chopped brown rice”. The smaller chopped brown rice style is typically from the Libby mine and may be contaminated with asbestos. However, the only way to be sure is to have a sample analyzed at an approved laboratory.

What Should You Do If You Discover Vermiculite?

Asbestos fibers may be disturbed during renovations, electrical projects, or entry into the attic. Air leakage from the attic into the occupied areas of the home may also allow asbestos fibers into the home. It is very difficult to completely seal all attic penetrations. Air leakage around the attic trap-door, wiring, chimneys, exhaust pipes, vent pipes and penetrations through the top plate of the wall can all allow asbestos fibers to enter the occupied area of the home.

If you find vermiculite, you should contact a professional vermiculite removal company.

How Will You Remove the Vermiculite?

We have developed a safe and efficient way to mechanically remove the vermiculite insulation.

Utilizing a truck mounted, HEPA filtered vacuum system and ministry approved abatement procedures, the vermiculite insulation is quickly and safely removed from your home. The power of the 85 hp diesel vacuum system ensures that all vermiculite material is extracted from your attic through a vacuum hose. 

Other companies manually shovel the vermiculite into garbage bags for disposal.  This can release large amounts of asbestos fibers into your home. The garbage bags are then carried through the house for placement in a dumpster, these bags may tear releasing asbestos into the occupied area of your home.

Our vacuum truck system protects you and your home.

Contact us today for a free quote or for more information on vermiculite removal.

Georgian Insulation Systems is Central Ontario's premium spray foam insulation contractor. We're recommended by leading custom home builders, commercial design/builders, architects, home inspectors and our many customers. We provide Polyurethane Spray foam, Cellulose, Fibreglas, Roxull, Fireproofing, Insulation Removal, concrete slab lifting with injected polyurethane and epoxy crack filling.

What Types Of Insulation Are There?

There are many types of insulation products and options available, all with competing claims, making it a challenge to sort the facts from the advertising. There’s also no shortage of self-proclaimed experts ready to weigh in on what they believe is the best insulation system.

While there are a large number of materials that could be used to insulate a home, the most used forms of insulation on the market today are:

Cellulose
Fiberglass
Spray Foam
Cotton / Denim


Cellulose

Cellulose insulation has been a tried and true method of insulating homes for decades. It is made from recycled newsprint and other recycled paper with one of the highest percentages of post-consumer waste content of any insulation. It is treated with recognized safe fire retardants. Numerous tests have shown that cellulose insulation is better at preventing the spread of fire in a building than other insulation products.

Its excellent sound insulating properties, its ability to provide an effective 1-hour fire rating, high R-value per inch, and industry leading environmental properties, makes cellulose insulation a perfect choice for insulating attics and sidewalls.

Cellulose insulation is blown onto attic floors or into wall and ceiling cavities, or is sprayed into open wall cavities. It is an excellent choice for adding insulation in walls of older existing homes due to the ease of installation.


Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulation is made from molten glass that is spun or blown into fibers. The recycled content of fiberglass insulation ranges from 0-40%, but that includes waste generated during manufacturing. Its most common forms are rolls and batts, which are used in wall cavities and attics and also in a loose-fill form that is blown-in.

Fiberglass is non-combustible, but it will melt in a fire, potentially allowing that fire to spread. Care should be taken when installing fiberglass to wear protective clothing and a respirator, per the manufacturer’s guidelines, to avoid direct contact with, or inhaling of, the glass fibers.


Spray Foam

Spray foam insulations are petroleum-based products and typically have little or no recycled content. They require professional installation, using special equipment to measure, mix, and spray the foam. Due to their ability to help reduce air leaks, they are often used in selected areas where the reduction of air leaks is critical, although it can be used throughout a structure. The cost to insulate using spray foam is typically significantly higher than other materials. Excess sprayed foam insulation from the job site can’t be reused, nor can it be recycled.


Bio-Based Foams

Ingredients derived from soy or castor beans are being added to some foam products in an attempt to produce a less environmentally harmful product. They also require professional installation and provide similar air leak reduction as standard spray foam insulations. According to Environmental Building News, these products contain approximately 40% bio-based ingredients and 60% petroleum derived products. It should also be noted that petroleum is used to drive the farm equipment and to produce the agri-chemicals used to grow beans.


Cotton / Denim

Another high recycled and more unusual product is recycled denim insulation. The insulation is primarily made with pre-consumer recycled cotton or denim waste collected from factories manufacturing jeans and other denim products. There are now some with programs targeting post consumer recycling of jeans and other denim products from consumers.

This product is environmentally friendly as it is made from a rapidly renewable resource. Performance is similar to other insulation batt products. It is easier to install than fiberglass since it does not contain the glass fibers. The cost to insulate cotton/denim is typically significantly higher than other materials and the product is not as readily available to consumers in many areas.

Georgian Insulation Systems is Central Ontario's premium spray foam insulation contractor. We're recommended by leading custom home builders, commercial design/builders, architects, home inspectors and our many customers. We provide Polyurethane Spray foam, Cellulose, Fibreglas, Roxull, Fireproofing, Insulation Removal, concrete slab lifting with injected polyurethane and epoxy crack filling. 

Increase Your Home’s Value with Green Insulation

Spring is a popular time for home renovations, and one of the best investments you can make in your home is new insulation. While this type of “behind the scenes” renovation may not produce the same interest as a brand new kitchen or bathroom, it can have a huge impact on your family’s comfort and dramatically reduce your home’s heating AND cooling bill.

A well-insulated home will allow you maintain your home’s temperature easier. Your energy bill will decrease since your furnace and air conditioner won’t have to work as hard – proper insulation prevents hot air from entering your home in the summer months, and also prevents the comfortable, cooled air in your home from escaping.

Replacing your insulation can also increase you home’s resale value. And if you choose “green” insulation, your home’s resale value will increase even more! Homebuyers are becoming increasingly interested in green features that have proven value. 

New insulation is already a value-added feature, but choosing an eco-friendly insulation option will increase the value of your renovation even more.

There are many environmentally friendly insulation options on the market. Our top two choices are:

Blown Cellulose

• Cellulose has the largest amount of post-consumer recycled content in the industry - up to 85% recycled newspaper. Paper is the largest component of landfills and producing Cellulose insulation diverts waste from the landfills thus saving valuable space.
• Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation material. In green circles this is known as “embodied energy” which is the energy required to transport raw materials and the energy used to make the final product. Fiberglass, the most widely used insulation, has 10 times more embodied energy than cellulose.
• Making cellulose insulation from newsprint prevents the release of greenhouse gases such as methane, which is released as newspaper decomposes in landfills.

Walltite Eco Spray Foam

• Walltite Eco is made from renewable vegetable oils and recycled plastics, and blended into a high performance spray polyurethane foam.
• Monthly energy and utility savings of 40% or more can be achieved when compared to the traditional fiberglass products. The cost of insulating with spray foam insulation can often be recovered in less than 5 years, simply through energy savings alone.
• As a lower density, closed-cell foam, it takes less material to produce the performance you need. It burns less fuel during transportation because it’s transported as a liquid, then expands over 30 times its volume during application.
• Walltite Eco contains significant rates of recycled content. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is among the most common plastics used for packaging, bottles and containers. Post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material is processed to make raw material for new applications.

Both Walltite Eco and Blown Cellulose can be used in a variety of applications. Contact us today for more information or a free quote!

Georgian Insulation Systems is Central Ontario's premium spray foam insulation contractor. We're recommended by leading custom home builders, commercial design/builders, architects, home inspectors and our many customers. We provide Polyurethane Spray foam, Cellulose, Fibreglas, Roxull, Fireproofing, Insulation Removal, concrete slab lifting with injected polyurethane and epoxy crack filling.