Bruce Young, Canadian Sales Director for Icynene shares his insights on why insulation should be a springtime priority.
Spring is officially here, and while renovations may be top of mind, the cold effects of winter may not have disappeared completely yet.
Before beginning a home renovation project this spring, homeowners should assess their wants against the needs of their home. Was your home subject to ice dams and icicles this winter? Did your basement feel damp? Did drafts seep through? Building professionals will say that a home’s envelope, or the exterior-facing “skin” of the building, is typically regarded as the weakest link since it is constantly exposed to the elements. Reinforcing a home’s envelope can have a strong and positive impact on how efficient and comfortable a home can be for all seasons.
Three reasons to consider spray foam insulation in your spring renovations:
Stop air leakage. Air leakage can limit the effectiveness of heating and cooling systems. According to InsulationSmart.com, floors, walls and ceilings can account for up to 31% of air leakage in a home. Insulation experts say that homeowners should survey their house from top to bottom, and assess any trouble spots such as drafty areas or cold zones caused by air leakage. Spray foam insulation, which can help combat air leakage, is growing in popularity amongst homeowners since it is an energy-efficient material that delivers year-round benefits. Spray foam insulation, like that available from Icynene, works well in all types of homes across the country, regardless of climate.
Upgrade your insulation and your savings. While traditional insulation materials such as fibreglass and cellulose, are commonly used and provide thermal comfort, they fall behind on air-sealing and on their ability to create a more energy efficient home. Modern insulation options such as spray foam insulation can help homeowners reduce energy consumption by adequately air sealing the home to stop any leaks. Gaps and cracks in your current insulation can add up to the size of a basketball, allowing air to escape your home. This contributes to rising heating and cooling costs, because HVAC equipment is forced to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home. For example, the average home in British Columbia devotes approximately 50% of its monthly energy bill to space heating. In Ontario, that amount rises to 62%, which can equate to as much as $1,240 annually.
Protect your home’s value and your health. Spray foam insulation performs for the life of the property, ensuring that homeowners can enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures all year round. Spray foam can also be helpful for allergy sufferers. Just in time for spring sneezing season, spray foam insulation helps minimize airborne moisture and pollutants from entering the home, making an ideal home improvement investment that adds true value. Just as homeowners have to deal with snow and ice in the winter, rain and flooding in some areas are just as likely in the spring. Traditional insulation materials could retain water potentially damaging your home as well as reducing the functionality of the insulation. Water retention could also lead to potential mould growth. Soft, open-cell spray foam can allow water to pass through it should there be any leaks letting you repair any damage easily. Closed cell foam can reject bulk water, making it an ideal option for areas prone to flooding.
About the Author: Bruce Young is the Canadian Sales Director for Icynene -North America’s leading spray foam insulation manufacturer.
