Yes - There is a Best Way to Insulate the Attic

March 22, 2016

Easy, fast, and affordable is not always the best approach. This is especially relevant with home insulation, and specifically true about attic insulation. And while the Internet is full of insulation pros and cons, there really is a best way to insulate the attic - Spray Polyurethane Foam. There is no shortage of discussion and debate about the various insulation products available today, and as always, every brand manufacturer has the best product available, and with the best outcomes. But in recent years, Spray Polyurethane Foam has emerged as the go-to product for professionals throughout the industry. The products are unique (and complex) and installation requires a high level of experience and expertise. But for a professional installer, nothing quite beats SPF - there are no other products on the market that can deliver comparable benefits with one application. And the one major benefit is sealing - nothing seals a space like the attic like the SPF product. Spray Polyurethane Foam seals a space completely, and creates a vapor barrier and air barrier at the same time. This serves to eliminate air movement and prevent moisture accumulation. And in the attic, both air and moisture will compromise insulation - something that just counters the whole purpose of insulating. With proper ventilation installed throughout the attic, SPF is the most effective insulation money can buy. But importantly, it requires a professional install. A Spray Polyurethane Foam installation is not for the DIY enthusiast. Even with a DIY kit and an in-store workshop, the products and application require the expertise of a trained installer. Good contractors always follow the manufacturer's specifications; observe the local bylaws; and above all, install to code. This is the only way to ensure optimal performance for the final installation. As well, inadequate DIY installations can set the stage for re-works and re-installs that are costly. For the average homeowner, SPF is a costly home improvement - more so than other insulation methods. And while its deemed as the best, it's still considered a premium product. Because of this, contractors are offering a more cost-effective approach that installs SPF along with another compatible insulation product. With this method, SPF is applied first in order to seal the space. Right after, loose fill insulation (many prefer cellulose) is installed to complete the project. In most of Canada, and in the northern parts of the USA, there are national standards for R-Value, particularly for newly built homes. Once again, whether its Spray Polyurethane Foam or a hybrid approach using a compatible product, there is nothing that comes close to the short term and long term product performance. Even with cost considerations, the yearly savings on heating and cooling will offset the original project investment. The cost benefit makes economic sense. The big question is whether there's a bad insulation product. The answer: probably not. But there is such a thing as the best product, and that's Spray Polyurethane Foam. There's also such a thing as a bad installation, and hence, the best approach with any product is the professional approach.