Studies and surveys show that as many as 10 million Canadians own their home. As an owner, staying on top of maintenance and weatherproofing work is critical. You may find yourself debating the benefits of blow-in insulation and other methods.
If you're curious about spray foam vs blow-in insulation, we're happy to help guide you. Read on to learn more about the best methods of home insulation.
Blown-In Insulation
You might believe that blow-in insulation is the same as spray foam. However, there are some vital differences between both in many ways.
To start, let's take a closer look at blown-in insulation. As the name suggests, this insulation is often hosed in with a large hose or pipe. It's a great method for mass insulation, such as a new attic or replacing an entire wall.
One of its great benefits is that it comes in several forms to help combat Winnipeg weather. Here are the two primary types of blown-in home insulation products.
Loose-Fill Fibreglass
Loose-fill fibreglass is made from glass blown or spun into fibres. Fibreglass is exceptionally common for many construction purposes, but its most frequent use is insulation.
Fibreglass is suitable for attics and wall cavities, but it's important not to touch it unprotected. Grabbing fibreglass without thick gloves can lead to tiny, hair-like glass shards sticking into your skin. While far from fatal or dangerous in such a situation, it's incredibly irritating and can be painful.
Fiberglass insulation is the most recognizable type of insulation on the market.
Cellulose
Cellulose is less common but has existed since the 1920s. The product consists of recycled newsprint, corrugated cardboard, and other recycled paper.
The paper is treated with a flame retardant to stop it from being flammable. Cellulose comes in stabilized, wall-cavity, and loose-fill varieties.
Loosefill cellulose is good for combating moisture, fungus, mould or mildew. The material contains mold resistant properties.
Spray Foam Insulation
While they sound similar, spray foam insulation is different from blow-in insulation.
Spray foam expands to fill cracks and spaces, such as between walls or attic beams. The barrier tightly seals itself as it stops air infiltration. After 2 inches of foam, the material is a vapor barrier in itself. Foam can grow to 100 times its sprayed volume. The r-value of spray foam is much higher per inch than fiberglass which facilitates achieving better insulating values with less space required.
Trained professionals are required to install this type of insulation, as it's more precise and complex than installing fiberglass.
Spray Foam or Blow-In Insulation
If you still can't decide between spray foam insulation or blow-in insulation for your home, our team can provide guidance.
For more information, contact us at Warm Home Insulation. We're happy to answer any questions and service the Winnipeg area loyally and swiftly.