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You need proper insulation for your house to have correctly regulated temperatures during blistering hot summers or the snowy cold winters.
Your attic is among the top places in your home you should consider insulating. Attic insulation done right can help prevent heat energy from escaping from the house in cold seasons and transferring the energy into the home during hot seasons.
If you live in areas that experience bouts of extreme snowy and cold winters like Canada, having high-quality insulation for your attic is even more critical.
This is very crucial for those residing in Canadian cities such as Toronto for they experience an annual freezing winter season that runs for months.
But what qualities do you need to look for in attic insulation suppliers? Here are the things you should consider before choosing the insulation supplies for your attic.
1. The R-Value of The Attic Insulation Material
To make a proper decision on the insulation suppliers you need for your home, you must first understand the R-Value factor. This is the unit used to determine the strength of an insulation supply.
Consulting professional installers and reputable suppliers such as https://bernardibuildingsupply.com/attic-insulation-supplies-toronto/ and the like can help you calculate the R-Value for your attic insulation.
A material’s R-Value is its capacity to resist the transfer of heat or the loss of it.
A higher R-Value translates to greater insulation performance, therefore reducing your heating or cooling energy bill. The R-Value is affected by these four factors:
- The thickness of material;
- The type of material used;
- Its density; and,
- How it was installed.
Installing an attic insulation supply with a high R-Value in an attic makes it better at keeping your home from losing energy and turning it into a freezer during winter or allowing too much heat in summer that your house becomes a sauna.
A trained professional’s help can make you avoid getting entangled in these sticky situations.
2. The Material of The Insulation Supply
Attic insulation supplies are made from different materials and that should be a major point of consideration.
Each of these materials offers a different quality of insulation and is suitable for different areas. These are:
Fiberglass
Best used in warm climates, fiberglass material is considered the most popular insulation material with different R-Value levels.
Cellulose
It’s said that environmentalists hail cellulose as a top material to consider if you’re keen on using green products.
Most manufacturers produce them from recycled paper or wood and contain more repurposed content than other insulations.
When it’s used with the highest R-value, it’s perfect for very cold areas. The attic should, however, be well ventilated to prevent moisture and the growth of mold.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool is usually sold in rolls or batts. Most of them are manufactured from recycled slag from steel mills, melted down stone, and the like.
This material is the most used of all insulation supplies in Canada. This material is perfect for temperate climates.
Cotton/Denim Insulation:
Cotton insulation is made from recycled blue denim. It’s very effective as an insulation material.
Foam
Foam is a premium insulation material mostly used in commercial buildings but used sparingly in residential homes.
It comes in two varieties; an open-cell with an R-Value level of around 3.5 and a closed-cell with an R-Value of 7.
3. Water and Moisture Resistance
An attic’s location makes it prone to water and moisture in case the roof leakage. This makes it an important consideration when choosing attic insulation suppliers.
Deciding on what material to use based on how water resistant they are is especially essential if you live in very wet areas.
These are places where your roof may hold water for prolonged periods due to either snow or constant heavy downpour.
Some materials like fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam are highly water-resistant and can protect your attic even amidst major leaks while cellulose gets badly damaged by water.
4. Fire Resistance
In the same way, you consider if an attic supply is prone to water damage, also ensure that the insulation material isn’t prone to fire damage.
This can save your home from extensive damage in case of a fire accident. Insulation materials made of cellulose are flammable and need to be treated with fire retardants.
Mineral wool doesn’t burn and can resist burning with temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and above. Fiberglass is also highly resistant to fire.
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5. Durability
An attic isn’t a home improvement project that should require regular maintenance or replacement.
Therefore, it’s very important to get a material that will serve you as long as your roof can, if not longer. All these materials are highly durable if fixed properly.
Cotton, fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam are more durable attic insulation supplies compared to cellulose.
This is because cellulose can be damaged by both water and fire. Otherwise, without the risk of those two issues, it can also last for a long time.
6. Cost
Attic insulation supplies come at different costs and your choice may depend on your budget.
Supplies such as cotton and denim are the most expensive material but also the most effective. Fiberglass and cellulose are cheaper than mineral wool.
Takeaway
When looking at the qualities of attic insulation supplies, the main attributes to look out for are the recommended R-Value of the material as well as the material itself.
The material you choose holds the rest of the other qualities you will need in an insulation supply.
It’s recommended that you consult a professional for inspection and guidance on the best way to insulate your attic.
As you insulate your attic, also consider having adequate ventilation to prevent dampness or mold from appearing.
It’s essential to leave the air passage open to enable air to circulate between the felt and the insulation.
This will keep your attic from becoming moist which can lead to the growth of mold and that can damage the attic insulation.
