Get these benefits by improving your home's building envelope

Residential insulation is a key element for a more comfortable and energy efficient home. You need a continuous boundary of insulation between the conditioned, indoor spaces and the unconditioned, outdoor spaces. This boundary is referred to as the “building envelope” and it includes the walls, floors, and ceiling or roof. Inadequate insulation levels and space in the insulation materials provide paths for heat loss from your home.

Building codes typically require a minimum insulation level for each component of the building envelope. When building a new home it is both easy and cost effective to increase these insulation levels beyond the minimum code requirements of most climates. For an older home, it is easiest to increase insulation levels in the attic.

There are many types of insulation materials and at Georgian we offer several choices. Insulation is rated according to the materials ability to resist heat flow. This thermal resistance rating is commonly known as an “R-value”. The higher the R-value of a material, the better its ability to resist heat flow. The reciprocal of the R-value is the U-value, which characterizes the rate of heat loss.

What are some of the benefits of improving your home's building envelope with increased insulation?

1. Improved comfort; Increased insulation reduces conductive heat losses and gains resulting in warmer interior surfaces in the winter and cooler interior surfaces in the summer. Approximately 40 percent of our physical comfort in homes is due to radiant heat exchange between our bodies and the surrounding interior surfaces. Increased insulation reduces this radiant heat exchange and minimizes temperature differences between rooms, thus maintaining a more consistent level of comfort throughout a house. 
2. Improved indoor air quality; When a house has been air sealed and insulation has been increased and properly installed, there are fewer gaps and voids through which unconditioned air can leak into a house. This helps avoid dirt, dust, and other impurities that can negatively affect indoor air quality. A tight building envelope is a critical component to ensure good indoor air quality.
3. Increased construction quality; Building codes establish the legal minimum construction standards. Increased insulation levels with a higher R-value or increased thickness of the building envelope component results in better quality construction. This is particularly true in cases where special care is taken during installation to insure no gaps or voids are left in the insulation. 
4. Reduced obsolescence; Based on recent trends for improved efficiency, building envelopes with increased insulation levels are expected to become industry practice. It is more cost effective to increase insulation levels during the original construction. 
5. Lower energy bills; More than 40 percent of the energy consumed in a typical household goes to heating and cooling. Increased insulation reduces this energy consumption which lowers energy bills.

"Insulation," says Bob Vila, host of the nationally syndicated TV program that bears his name, "is the most efficient energy-saving expenditure." Vila says homeowners should check attics to determine the amount of insulation already installed. "Most homes built before 1980 have inadequate insulation," he said, noting that if insulation between the joists of the attic floor comes only to the top of the joist, it probably makes sense to install more insulation. (source: EnergyStar.org)

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

7 Key Benefits of BIBS The Blow-In-Blanket® System Premier Insulation

The Blow-In-Blanket System (BIBS®) is a proven, time-tested, premium insulation that fits any configuration, any custom situation, any size home.

KEY BENEFITS OF BIBS

1. Contains no formaldehydes| 
2. Will not support mold growth 
3. Highest installed R-values, R24 in a 2x6 wall 
4. Seamless installation, no gaps or voids 
5. High density, will not settle or shrink 
6. Superior sound deadening 
7. Optimum comfort and performance

It blows in easily, fills completely and lasts for the life of your home! BIBS Fills gaps and voids for thermal efficiency. Unlike batt insulation systems that may leave voids or gaps, BIBS completely fills the space, which controls sound and reduces air infiltration in the wall cavity. So your house is snug, secure, thermally efficient and draft-free.

 BIBS is safe and easy to install. Developed almost 25 years ago, BIBS is the most widely accepted and independently tested blown-in wall system used today. Little wonder - it's easy to apply, clean, fast and effective. With BIBS, loose-fill insulation is blown behind netting, using specific installation techniques. BIBS is licensed to independent contractors so only qualified installers can apply it. Only approved insulation products may be used.

 BIBS offers optimum comfort and performance. It's simply superior, from top to bottom. In addition to sidewalls and metal framing, BIBS is ideal for under floors, in ceilings and wherever acoustic control is needed. BIBS is the perfect insulation for today's custom homes. It offers outstanding thermal performance and high R-values, cutting utility bills and leaving you with an energy-efficient home. It never settles or separates, corrodes pipes or wires, or produces mold or mildew.

Georgian Insulation Systems is one of the few contractors in Central Ontario, that is certified to install the BIBS system. Our installers have completed the BIBS training program and continually test their applications to ensure the Blow-In-Blanket System is properly installed guaranteeing the R-values in your home. Certified personnel have expertise in the vital areas of thermal insulation, sound attenuation, air infiltration, moisture migration and ventilation.



No other product in your home is as critical to the overall comfort and energy efficiency for the life of the home. Blow-In-Blanket is a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, custom fit insulation process utilizing specially manufactured fiber glass blowing wools that are installed in your home by BIBCA certified professionals. This process provides you with the highest effective R-values attainable today. There is no substitute for quality in your home. We ensure peace of mind for you and your family..

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

Go GREEN with Blown Cellulose Insulation - here's why...

Cellulose insulation is one of the greenest products on the market today and will allow you to make a positive contribution to the environment without sacrificing performance.

Save money on utility bills and keep your family warm and comfortable, safe in the knowledge you have made the smart choice. Cellulose insulation can be blown into your attic or cathedral ceiling and injected into wall cavities.

Getting the Value for your Money... cellulose has the lowest cost per square foot per R-Value

Everyone knows that properly insulating a house or building will save on utility costs. But not all insulations are created equal. Cellulose insulation performs best even under the most demanding of conditions where there are extreme differences between inside and outside temperatures.

When comparing the price of cellulose to other products, it is important to compare the extra benefits, such as sound insulation and the environmental benefits. Cellulose Insulation has the lowest cost per square foot per R-Value.

When Cellulose is used, it creates a 100% seamless seal, which makes a home up to 36% tighter than fiberglass. With its higher density and ability to seamlessly cover and fill those difficult spaces like pipes, electrical wiring and other mechanical areas, you are getting an excellent barrier to air flow, excellent sound insulation and excellent insulating properties even in the most difficult environments.

“Going Green” is about Facts...

Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation material.

These are the key “Green” facts about Cellulose insulation. Don’t be fooled into thinking that all products are “green” just because they say they are - check the facts.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Making cellulose insulation from newsprint prevents the release of greenhouse gases such as methane, which is released as newspaper decomposes in landfills.

4. Cellulose insulation has an R–value of R 3.8 per inch, this R-value remains consistent. Unlike fiberglass insulation which actually looses R value in extreme temperatures, resulting in the least performance when you need it the most.

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

Did you Discover an Insulation Problem This Winter?

This winter has been extremely cold.  That feels like an understatement! On Feb. 28th the Weather Network reported that at least 24 communities in southern Ontario had set new record low temperatures. Toronto and Ottawa had seen their coldest winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) in 20 years.

Along with the cold weather goes higher heating costs, and the size of your bill will be effected by how well your home is insulated. To provide a comfortable environment throughout the seasons, your home needs to be well sealed, well insulated, and properly ventilated.

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."

Are you happy with the comfort level of your home and your heating or cooling costs?  What are some of the signs that there is a problem with your insulation?

Signs of Insulation Problems in the Winter:

1. walls cold to touch
2. cold floors
3. high heating costs
4. uneven heating levels within building
5. mold growing on walls

Signs of Insulation Problems in the Summer:

1. uncomfortably hot inside air
2. high cooling cost
3. ineffectiveness of air conditioning system
4. mold growing in the basement

If you have any of these problems, you should look into the insulation system in your home. We have decades of experience evaluating homes in central Ontario and would be pleased to come out and take a look.

You should also learn more about insulation types and benefits. We have many options and top quality products to choose from.

The CMA lists these points as being part of an effective insulation system.

Effective Insulation Systems:

• have an air barrier which prevents the movement of interior or exterior air through the system
• have carefully filled cavities which leave no gaps in or around the insulation and do not compress the insulation
• have a minimum of thermal bridges. These are parts of the wall that, with a lower R value extend from the warm side to the cold side of the insulation (giving heat an easy escape). Structural members in the wall will often act as thermal bridges.
• have a vapour retarder such as polyethylene sheeting, which prevents moisture from moving from warm interior spaces into a colder building envelop where it could condense
• have drying potential - which is the ability of the insulated assembly to release any moisture that gets into the system 

The right insulation system can not only reduce the amount of energy you use and save you money, but make your home more liveable and 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

Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home with Insulation

Anyone who owns a home or commercial building wants to improve the energy efficiency of the structure to reduce energy costs and provide a comfortable interior environment.

With the extremely cold weather this winter, 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.

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.

There are many good options on the market - each with different features and advantages. Determining where to upgrade and the type of material to use requires some technical understanding of your building and knowledge of materials.

We have the experience to help you make the right decision and start saving money on your heating bills. Georgian Insulation has been helping home owners and building owners for over 20 years in the Simcoe County region.  Give us a call and get the advice you need.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation has information online providing some details about energy efficiency and home insulation. Read More..

Below is a diagram from CMHC showing exterior and interior building areas that could be targets for retrofitting insulation.

1. Roof or Attic
2. Above-Grade Walls
3. Windows & Doors
4. Below-Grade Walls
5. Basement Floor Slab

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

Learn more about BIBS Blown in Blanket System

BIBS The Blow-In-Blanket® System - Premier Insulation

Blow-In-Blanket insulation works with any blueprint, fits any configuration. Cavities. Curves. Vaulted ceilings. Crawl spaces. Custom windows. The Blow-In-Blanket System (BIBS®) is a proven, time-tested, premium insulation that fits any configuration, any custom situation, any size home. It blows in easily, fills completely and lasts for the life of your home!

BIBS Fills gaps and voids for thermal efficiency. Unlike batt insulation systems that may leave voids or gaps, BIBS completely fills the space, which controls sound and reduces air infiltration in the wall cavity. So your house is snug, secure, thermally efficient and draft-free.

BIBS is safe and easy to install. Developed almost 25 years ago, BIBS is the most widely accepted and independently tested blown-in wall system used today. Little wonder - it's easy to apply, clean, fast and effective.  With BIBS, loose-fill insulation is blown behind netting, using specific installation techniques. BIBS is licensed to independent contractors so only qualified installers can apply it. Only approved insulation products may be used.

BIBS offers optimum comfort and performance. It's simply superior, from top to bottom. In addition to sidewalls and metal framing, BIBS is ideal for under floors, in ceilings and wherever acoustic control is needed. BIBS is the perfect insulation for today's custom homes. It offers outstanding thermal performance and high R-values, cutting utility bills and leaving you with an energy-efficient home. It never settles or separates, corrodes pipes or wires, or produces mold or mildew.

Certified Installation

When you select Blow-In-Blanket insulation for your home, you are purchasing peace of mind.
Insulation is only as effective as it is installed. If voids and gaps are left unfilled, heat and sound can pass from inside to outside and from room to room thus negating much of the insulation's protective properties. Therefore, it is paramount to use the finest quality materials combined with trained and certified people to install your home's insulation.

When you are building a home, it is important to have contractors of integrity who are committed to keeping the project on schedule while delivering the finest quality installation. The Blow-In-Blanket Contractors Association (BIBCA) is an international trade association whose membership comprises industry professionals who are serious about delivering a perfect product. BIBCA members voluntarily pledge to abide by a strict constitution and a comprehensive set of bylaws.

Georgian Insulation Systems is one of the few contractors in Central Ontario, that is certified to install the BIBS system. Our installers have completed the BIBS training program and continually test their applications to ensure the Blow-In-Blanket System is properly installed guaranteeing the R-values in your home. Certified personnel have expertise in the vital areas of thermal insulation, sound attenuation, air infiltration, moisture migration and ventilation.

No other product in your home is as critical to the overall comfort and energy efficiency for the life of the home. Blow-In-Blanket is a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, custom fit insulation process utilizing specially manufactured fiber glass blowing wools that are installed in your home by BIBCA certified professionals. This process provides you with the highest effective R-values attainable today.

There is no substitute for quality in your home. We ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

KEY BENEFITS

• Contains no formaldehydes|
• Will not support mold growth
• Highest installed R-values, R24 in a 2x6 wall 
• Seamless installation, no gaps or voids
• High density, will not settle or shrink
• Superior sound deadening

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

Roof Ice Prevention Services with Georgian Insulation

Ice build up on roofs can present a dangerous situation to the homeowner, visitors and those passing by. Not only is it unsafe, but it causes damage to the roof and eave-troughs. Melt-water from ice build up can cause interior water damage. Call us for a free quote to handle this situation at your home, cottage, or commercial building.

During the winter, snow accumulates on the roof. On many homes this snow starts to melt, resulting in ice dams and icicles. There are many causes for the snow to melt, the most common cause is heat loss from the house into the attic. Warm air passes through the ceiling and insulation into the attic space. The warm air raises the temperature inside the attic to above the freezing point. It rises to the peak where it causes the snow to start melting. The warm melt-water flows down the roof to the colder edges where it re-freezes, causing ice dams and icicles.

As this cycle continues, the ice can form massive ice dams and icicles. Eventually the ice becomes so thick that the melt-water has no place to go. It starts to creep under the shingles and finds it's way into the home below. Valleys and a complicated roof design can exagerate the problem, as more melt water is concentrated into a smaller area. The damage can become significant, wet insulation, wet drywall, water stains on ceilings and walls. In some cases there can be so much water entering the house that ceilings can collapse, hardwood floors can buckle and contents can be ruined. This water entry may show up in the room below the attic, or even two or three floors further down. It is not unusual to see water in the basement from ice dams.

The damage may be covered by your home insurance, and there are lots of great companies that specialize in restoring your home. However, the root cause of the problem has to be addressed to prevent this happening again next time it snows.

Other factors may contribute to the ice dam problem. Warm day time temperatures and cold night temperatures, incorrectly placed exhaust vents, other sources of heat such as a BBQ on a covered deck, soffit pot lights, open windows and the orientation of the building. There are many other potential causes. As stated heat loss is often the biggest culprit.

Your attic requires insulation and ventilation to function correctly. If either are inadequate, then eventually ice dams will occur. There should be approximately 15-20 inches of insulation in your attic, (depending on the type of insulation). There should also be adequate ventilation in the soffits and at the top of the attic. Air is drawn in from the soffits and exhausted through the roof vents, pulling warm air with it.

You may need additional insulation, and ventilation. Air sealing to the attic floor is also recommended. This involves removing the existing insulation, locating the points of air leakage and sealing those leaks with spray foam or caulking. A thermal Infra red scan can also be performed to help pin-point problem areas. 

 

We can help you solve these problems and provide advice on how to prevent this from happening again. Contact Us for a Free Quote - Call 1-866-576-9338 or go to our website www.georgianinsulation.com and fill out our form.