Done well, basement insulation decreases energy usage and lowers utility bills (gas and electric) throughout the entire year. And in regions of the country where temperature extremes are common, the dollar savings are substantial.
For many homeowners, insulating the basement is about making the living area more cosy and comfortable. But through winter and summer, there are more benefits than just comfort. In fact, basement insulation is one of the most practical renovations, particularly because overall energy efficiency is so dramatically improved. Done well, basement insulation decreases energy usage and lowers utility bills (gas and electric) throughout the entire year. And in regions of the country where temperature extremes are common, the dollar savings are substantial.
Basements need to be well-insulated, perhaps even more than other parts of the house. Other home improvements often take preference over the basement, but many of these are cosmetic in terms of results. A basement insulation project, on the other hand, actually delivers savings. It's a project whose cost is offset by real dollar savings on heating and cooling every year. But beyond that, a professionally insulated basement can also add real estate value to a home, especially with the newly introduced energy regulations governing home energy performance.
No drafts.
No cold.
Just
comfort!
With a professional installation, and high performance products, basement insulation provides excellent homeowner benefits for years to come. Undesirable airflow, moving in and out of the house, is effectively stopped. Insulation performance (R-Value) is noticeably improved. As well, air-laden moisture is prevented from collecting. Overall, the home's energy efficiency is markedly enhanced. Day to day, it makes for a much more comfortable environment in winter and summer. And year after year, the savings on heating and cooling become substantial.
Much like the attic cavity, basements need to be sealed, insulated, and ventilated. Here, many insulation professionals are recommending Spray Polyurethane Foam as an ideal install option. It has become the "go to" product for many in the industry, primarily because of the performance benefits. In fact, SPF does more in a single application than any insulation product on the market. But importantly, it has to be installed by professionals – this is a product and application process that requires both experience and expertise. A DIY approach will not suffice.
The very sizable annual savings on utilities will quite easily offset the total project investment.
When professionally applied, Spray Polyurethane Foam will envelop a given space entirely. In the basement, coverage will create an airtight envelope, with thermal insulation (R-Value) beyond any comparable product. The SPF envelope will eliminate air leakage, and stop moisture from accumulating in any part of the basement. Once complete, the finished space will enhance energy efficiency throughout the entire house. Even those hard-to-access areas in a basement are sealed and insulated effectively, including problematic areas like crawl spaces.
As an installation, Spray Polyurethane Foam will last a lifetime without needing any maintenance. The finished space doesn't need to be topped-up, replenished, or replaced, even after very long periods of time. However, SPF is definitely a high premium product and install. Although it might be pricey for some homeowners, the cost-benefit outcomes make the overall investment worthy - it's simply a project with excellent return-on-investment. More than that, the very sizable annual savings on utilities will quite easily offset the total project investment.
Properly insulating your basement will deliver countless benefits. Besides adding valuable living space, a finished basement also adds real estate value to your home. What’s important, however, is to insulate properly. Otherwise, it’s a superficial project that may look awesome, but delivers limited benefits.
When done right, insulating your basement will do a number of things – it will keep the space warm in winter; maintain a cool space in summer; and help control air moisture throughout the year. More than that, quality insulation will address the unique dynamics of a space that is primarily underground.
With temperature fluctuations and considerable air moisture, basements are prone to condensation – something that you can avoid when the space is properly insulated. All things considered, this means installing a quality insulation product, along with an effective air barrier and proper vapour barrier.
When your basement is professionally insulated, there’s a separation barrier between the air inside your home and the air outside your home. The idea is to block any air leakage, prevent unwanted air movement, and better control air moisture. Anything less will not deliver optimum performance.
Every basement is different, and professionals like Great Northern Insulation customize their approach to suit the need. It means choosing the right insulation for the job and the right installation approach. The bottom line is to insulate the basement walls to attain the best return-on-investment.
Whatever the insulation product chosen, GNI installs everything according to the customer’s needs. For basement wall insulation, requirements vary based on region and municipality. GNI installs according to manufacturer specifications, and without taking any shortcuts.
The professionals at Great Northern Insulation will also advise on whether the basement should be insulated from the inside or the outside of the building (when applicable). The fact is, there are good reasons for both. The important thing is to install for best possible results, while keeping a close eye on the budget.
With exterior insulation or interior insulation, a professional approach will certainly ensure better long-term performance. In the basement, this means installing an effective air barrier and an effective vapour barrier. In addition, appropriate ventilation is required so that indoor air is well managed.
Basements do not have to be musty or moldy. The ideal upgrade to prevent mold in the basement would be to insulate from outside the basement foundation, but this can be costly for most. The problem with basement walls is location - they are mostly below grade. This poses issues related to undesirable moisture that can accumulate.
What’s most important in the basement is to choose the right material and installation approach to address the unique environment. With a professional on hand, you can be sure that moisture issues are fully addressed. This may well include sealing up air leaks and installing an effective vapour barrier.
Many insulation professionals have found that spray foam is the ideal application for basement walls. It’s sprayed directly on the bare concrete walls, and can provide an insulation barrier, air barrier, and vapour barrier at one time. This is a highly specialized installation that requires experience and expertise.
Every basement insulation project is different. At Great Northern Insulation, trained professionals will recommend the best product and installation for your job. We guarantee our products and installation.
Today, many consider spray foam to be the best insulation product on the market. It’s a premium installation with benefits that far exceed other products on the market. Spray foam does a number of things in a single application. It effectively seals air leakage. It can help protect against moisture accumulation. It enhances home energy efficiency, and provides very high R-Values (thermal insulation). Annually, the dollar savings on winter heating and summer cooling are quite substantial (reduction up to 30%).
When professionally installed, spray foam insulation is ideal in the basement. Using special equipment, it’s sprayed onto the basement walls, where the foam hardens into a seamless protective “envelope”. Spray foam seals and insulates even the smallest gaps, cracks, and crevices. It’s a comprehensive application that can act as an air barrier, a vapour barrier, and an insulation barrier simultaneously depending on the type of insulation and its thickness. No other insulation product can compare with the advantages.
Fibreglass batt insulation is a highly reliable product option in any residential basement. Fibreglass batts are those soft “pads” (sometimes pink in colour) that are commonly installed inside the basement walls. Professionally installed, fibreglass batts are strategically inserted into a given space so that a protective thermal “blanket” is created. In a basement space, this installation ensures good long-term performance, and excellent return-on-investment based on the annual savings on heating and cooling.
Fibreglass batts are non-combustible and non-corrosive. The material is asbestos-free, odour free, and air-quality certified. When installed expertly, the batts do not promote mold or fungus, as long as air moisture is well controlled. Here again, a proper air barrier and vapour barrier must be installed in addition to the insulation. The lifespan for fibreglass batt insulation is satisfactory, with energy savings that make the retrofit worthwhile. Annual savings on heating/cooling often “pay off” the investment.
Fibreglass blanket insulation is an ideal method if you don’t have studs up and are planning to leave your basement unfinished. Don’t worry though – if you change your mind and decide you would like to finish it, you can keep the wrap. You’ll just need to change how you approach the studding.
You’ve likely seen this style of insulating a basement without really realizing it. We can literally wrap your basement walls with insulation. You can think of it as wrapping your home in a nice, warm blanket for the winter that works just as well to keep the cool air in during the summer. During your free in-home consultation, we’ll listen to what your short and long-term needs are, and help you figure out if fibreglass blanket wrap is right for you.
Though economical, there are considerations to be made if you plan to finish your basement. This is because the insulation doesn’t require wood studs to hold the insulation up. If you install blanket wrap insulation and later decide to finish your basement, you just need to off-set the studs from the wall. That being said, this type of insulation can also be useful for side rooms, such as a mechanical room, that you aren’t planning to finish anyway.
Although mineral wool insulation has been used for decades, it’s less well known to homeowners than other insulation products. Mineral wool batts are an excellent insulator, with impressive R-Values when compared with other product options. This is an eco-friendly product made from renewable resources and very cost effective to install. Mineral wool batts are quite rigid, allowing for precise trimming around obstructions. This ensures the optimum in thermal protection inside a wall cavity.
Mineral wool batts are water resistant, as they do not absorb water. This is an important feature in the event that the installed material is in contact with water. Professionally installed, mineral wool batts provide both insulation and soundproofing advantages. The batts are an ideal option for basement walls as well as ceilings. Like other insulation products (excluding spray foam insulation) mineral wool batts still require a proper air barrier and vapour barrier to ensure a comprehensive “system”.
Basements are a major source of heat loss in a typical residential home. In new built homes, building requirements are moving to new standards in order to create better performing basements. It means that every new home will have improved energy efficiency and thus consume less energy from season to season.
A well-insulated basement will provide a healthier living environment for occupants. As well, seasonal energy consumption is reduced, and annual heating/cooling costs are decreased. Today, insulation experts are recommending a “high performance basement” as the best return-on-investment. Beyond improving indoor comfort, a “high performance basement” will reduce operating costs (winter heating, summer cooling, maintenance and repairs). Annual savings can often offset the initial project costs.