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High heating and cooling bills. Hot spots and cold spots. Mold and mildew. These are just some of the issues that can arise due to poor, improper or insufficient insulation. Investing the time and money into selecting the right type of insulation for your home now can save you a lot of drafty nights—and stacks of bills—down the road. But knowing exactly what type of insulation is right for your home and where to use it isn’t obvious to everyone—thank goodness for knowledgeable and experienced contractors. There’s also the added complication of knowing where in your home different types of insulation might work best as factors such as dampness and airflow play crucial roles.

Cost is always a consideration but there’s more to it than the cost of materials and installation. The wrong installation will cost you money—and more than a few cold winter nights—in higher hydro bills, repairs, and, eventually, replacements. Paying more money upfront for higher quality insulation will definitely save you money in the long run.

Generally speaking, the three most common types of insulation are fibreglass, cellulose, and foam. While your home will most likely make use of at least one of those types of insulation, there’s also mineral wool, natural fibres, and even, of all things, denim.

Fibreglass Insulation

Fibreglass insulation—also known as glass wool—is the most common type of home insulation. It is made, as the name suggests, from glass fibres. Even though fibreglass insulation is the most common and affordable type, that shouldn’t indicate to anyone that it is the best. Other types of insulation are better at heat and cool retention and are safer.

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation—what we at Tropical specialize in—is made primarily of recycled newspapers and enhanced with fire retardant materials. Cellulose is amongst the most energy-efficient of all types of insulation as it makes use of recycled materials and provides superior heat and cold retention. Cellulose insulation can be just as affordable as fibreglass but provides far better results at the same or similar price.

Spray Foam Insulation

There are many different types of spray foam insulation. There’s polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane—all types of plastic—and that’s just naming a few. In short, foam insulation is highly effective and just as expensive. Contractors most commonly use spray foam insulation to block airflow in places where it is likeliest to occur, i.e., the nooks and crannies of your attic. Contractors will then complete the insulation with other types as blanketing the entire surface area of your inner roof or walls with foam would be uneconomical.

Other Types of Insulation

Other types of insulation such as mineral wool make use of industrial by-products or, in the case of denim insulation, recycled consumer goods. While these options provide variety, they are most commonly used to complement other forms of insulation.

Talk to Your Contractor

Whether you’re considering using fibreglass insulation or something more inventive such as denim, you’ll want to talk to your contractor first. Various factors play a role in determining which type—or combination of types—of insulation will best fit your home. And whenever you’re ready to pack the walls, Tropical Insulation is standing by to meet all of your cellulose insulation needs. We supply high-quality insulation and work with only the best and most qualified professionals to ensure that your insulation is installed properly. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you build the homes of your dreams.

Why is Cellulose Insulation gaining even more popularity than ever residential construction?

It all comes down to a stronger commitment across the entire industry to Sustainability.

Beyond superior thermal and acoustical performance, homeowners, home builders, and Canadians alike have expressed their ongoing support to reduce our environmental impact across a variety of industries. So much of what we do and how we live contributes greatly to our communities and ecosystems, and in knowing so, responsible construction businesses have a unique ability to lead the way to a more meaningful and greener future.

For attic applications and dense-pack wall applications, cellulose insulation cannot be beaten. We want to acknowledge our commitment to cellulose insulation and why it is so widely in use across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and construction projects.

Tropical’s History with Cellulose

Our journey began in 1983 where our founder understood the benefits of cellulose insulation and a vision of where it would find itself in the future of the construction industry. Committed to the use of quality products, where high-performance cellulose insulation could match a skilled installation, we began using almost exclusively cellulose. An important consideration for us as well, is the health and safety of our installers. With cellulose insulation, the only safety hazard to consider is its status as nuisance dust but poses no carcinogenic or otherwise harmful effects to our staff as well as to the air quality in the homes of our customers or future homeowners.

Far before the widespread adoption of environmental consciousness, we knew the products we use had an influence on how Canadians live. Therefore, out of all the materials Tropical could focus on, we chose cellulose.

Why is Cellulose Insulation Special?

In residential and commercial building, being “green” is not always easy. Plenty of construction materials are manufactured with harmful ingredients and embody heavy environmental loads. Cellulose has always stood out in this regard, for being one of the least negatively environmentally impactful insulation solutions.

Cellulose insulation is really an upcycled product, utilizing mainly post-consumer paper waste to generate a finished product with highly competitive R-levels that can outperform products such as fibreglass insulation. When all is said and done, cellulose will contain upwards of 85% recycled materials, diverted from landfills, giving homeowners additional peace of mind knowing they chose the right product to insulate their homes.

Other Benefits of Cellulose

While cellulose insulation is spectacular in its ability to improve building efficiency thereby reducing greenhouse gases from returning to the atmosphere, there are additional benefits for its use in home attics beyond the environmental ones.

Standing the test of time, the cellulose insulation industry has revealed that it has several properties that benefit homeowners:

It may not come to mind, but beyond keeping heat from escaping your home, insulation offers acoustic dampening. In this regard, cellulose performs extraordinarily well. With the ability to absorb 80%+ sound, your home can be close to professionally controlled studios in terms of acoustic spread.

Cellulose insulation also benefits from flame spread reduction of 25 or less. During manufacturing, special ingredients are added to the paper-based product to control the spread of fire in homes, with a fire rating of one hour or greater.; time essential to escape should such tragedy strike.

Finally, when considering air quality, we used to be satisfied with building products that contained many constituents that contributed to off-gassing of harmful toxins in the air and surrounding environment. Thankfully, that is beginning to change. Cellulose is a safe and non-toxic choice for any home or business environment.

Needless to say, cellulose insulation protects the environment, your home, and your wallet. Tropical Insulation understands that these benefits are important to homeowners, which is why we have always been committed to installing cellulose insulation to the highest of standards for over 35 years.

Our Passion; Your Benefit

Take the time today to reach out to Tropical Insulation to discuss your home’s current insulation protection. If you want to do your part in saving the environment and your money, then cellulose insulation is right for you.

We proudly wish to announce that based on our performance in 2019, Tropical Insulation has been awarded the “Best of 2020” by Homestars; the well-known referral website widely used by Canadian homeowners and businesses alike to find reputable contractors in their area. Based on criteria for “consistency, professional integrity, and unparalleled customer service” [citation], we are honoured to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to providing excellence in home insulation installation service.

Tropical Insulation is approaching our 40^th year in business and with a large division of our business established in new residential construction, our private residential and custom home services have long been a vital part of our service provision.  Having continued to meet the challenges that come with changing economic conditions over these last four decades, we now meet an unprecedented one in the name of the COVID-19 world pandemic.

The uncertainty that arose when the novel corona virus began its transmigration affected our industry dramatically. Until specific guidelines came down from governmental bodies, we acted swiftly to protect our workers and make changes to our procedures to ensure that health and safety became top priority. Not knowing the extent of how this all would affect us, we wanted to maintain active employment for everyone as long as possible in a way that would cause no harm.

As the pandemic escalated and federal and provincial decisions were being made to protect the public at large, all construction deemed non-essential ceased and a great part of the insulation contracting we do for private homeowners or business owners through retrofitting, renovating and custom home building work stopped as part of that mandate. Like so many other Canadian businesses affected this way, we wait on the sidelines; staying safe, protecting others, and supporting our frontline workers. As an evolving business, we also take this time as an opportunity to evaluate our business model and work behind the scenes to strategize on how we will come out of this situation to serve our customers better.

As our spring weather improves, we cannot help but notice on our own family walks around the neighbourhood, how many of our neighbours our engaged with home improvement projects. Spring maintenance has started and so are those long awaited, “can never find the time” projects we are now finding to fill our days productively. For those fortunate enough to have the means to improve, this is also a good time to think about the kinds of improvements that will generate greater efficiency in your home or building for the future, the kinds that help keep money in our pocketbooks and make our homes better, safer and more environmentally sustainable.

We want you to know we are here to offer our experience as you research the needs and requirements of your upcoming projects. We offer eco-friendly and high performing insulation and building envelope solutions as well as the expertise to discuss possibilities for your home or design/build company. Whether you have been considering a retrofit, a removal, renovation or custom home; Passiv Haus or Net Zero building project, our team at Tropical have answers for you. Planning is such an essential part of any successful project and we can help you hit the floor running when the time is right.

As we celebrate our “Best of” success with you in these most uncertain times, we extend our gratitude to our team and our loyal customers who, over the years, has made this so. Nonetheless, we don’t want the grass to grow underfoot for too long. As it’s said, we are only as good as our last performance.

If you haven’t been paying attention to building code changes (and we wouldn’t blame you), but did you know that requirements for home insulation have increased significantly over the last few decades? This isn’t because companies and contractors are trying to upsell or even over-sell you out of your hard-earned money – quite the contrary! A well-done insulation job using high-performance insulation keeps your house energy-efficient while leaving more cash in your pockets! 

The link between energy-efficiency and home-construction has been edging closer and closer as engineers and architects uncover new techniques in home building, especially “green” home building. Inefficiency in homes and buildings is a major contributor to energy loss or waste, adding to the carbon burden on our modern societies. The Canadian (federal) and local building codes are now finally recognizing what seals a building properly, what is referred to as a “building envelope”. 

Today, contractors are taking a “whole-house approach” when designing and constructing new homes. It is no longer enough to treat windows and insulation as separate energy-saving solutions. Air sealing, proper ventilation and insulation, as well as high-efficiency mechanical systems all play a major role in a tight building envelope and ultimately, an efficient building. Each variable of a home from foundation to air circulation can make or break your energy bills. 

So, if you are planning on building a new home, here are the topics you should discuss with your contractor to ensure that your home is designed to save on energy.

Whole-House Energy-Efficiency

As stated before, your whole home plays into energy-efficiency. But what does it mean to have a “Whole-Building System” approach?

To put it simply, whole-house energy-efficiency looks at water use, electricity, gas, room ergonomics, and insulation as one complete package. As well, whole-house strategies minimize waste and materials during development.  

It is an ethical approach to new home construction! Combining state-of-the-art appliances and naturally renewable energy sources (solar water heating, solar panels, geothermal, etc.), these ultra-efficient homes are built for sustainability. And not just for your wallet! 

What Questions Should You Ask Your Contractors?

If energy-efficiency is your goal when building your new home, it is important to express this to your designers and contractors from the get-go! The more chance they have to coordinate your desires, the smoother the process will be.

Insulation R-Value Requirements

Building code requirements for insulation vary depending on the application. In your attic, for example, as the most cost-effective way to improve your home’s energy and efficiency, the recommended R-value has increased from an R50 to R-60 value. To reach this value, a predetermined ‘thickness” of insulation (depending on its type) must be applied in a properly sealed and ventilated attic space to achieve the desired R-value. Insulating with cellulose insulation has long considered to provide long-term benefits, such as thermal performance, moisture prevention, reduced noise levels, and fire protection. 

Energy-Efficient Appliances

A majority of your energy-use will come from cooling and heating. In fact, it accounts for roughly 47% of your annual energy expenditure. We recommend researching Energy Star-rated products. They certify products from refrigerators to boilers for energy-efficiency. Owning products with the Energy Star logo will allow you to compare energy consumption across brands and appliances. 

Insulated Piping

When any of our friends bring up insulation, our minds go automatically to attics and walls. However, insulation is used in multiple places to varying degrees. One of the areas that can save you lots is copper piping for plumbing.

Look to insulate crawl spaces, attics, and any other place (including outside) where pipes might be exposed to extreme colds or heats. This will help lower your water heating expenses as the insulative sleeves minimize heat loss. As well, insulating your cold water lines can reduce pipe “sweating” from condensation. 

Windows and Doors

On a brand new construction product, you won’t have to worry about the quality of seal on doors and windows (assuming they’re installed properly), but there are products for energy conservation. 

Smart products now exist on the market that can automate room lights whenever a door or window is opened in a room. As well, plenty of companies are developing windows that tint automatically, can be closed with a smartphone, and a whole bunch more. Many of these smart technologies tote solar heat gain prevention, possibly saving tons for those who live in warmer climates. 

Renewable Energies for Your Home

Now that you have minimized your energy consumption through proactive and preventative measures, you can discuss the integration of renewable energies into your property. 

Plenty of homeowners across North America have been installing residential solar panels to reduce energy costs. With plenty of modular setups, little maintenance, and zero usage expenses, your investment will be paying for itself in no time. 

Another home trend that has been quietly gaining momentum would be geothermal HVAC systems. Payback periods can be as low as 5 years, dependent on the system that it will replace. 

Construction Rebates

When it comes to energy-saving initiatives, there are plenty of rebates to take advantage of, such as the GST/HST new housing rebate, solar power incentives, and plenty more! Take a moment to talk to your contractor about which rebates you would be eligible to apply. 

Hopefully, this has sparked energy-conscious idea you can implement in your new home construction. As a final reminder, having your entire construction team on board will make the whole-house approach a lot easier. Processes, such as insulating pipes and geothermal systems, are simpler and less intrusive to install when your home is in the early stages. Tropical insulation has been involved in the insulation of new construction home for over 40 years and can provide you or your team with valuable information and competitive pricing on any residential custom home project. 

Good luck creating your energy-efficient household!

Insulation Health Matters

As Canadians, we pride ourselves as “True Northerners.” Given this, it wouldn’t be too far off to compare ourselves to our favourite family of Westeros – The House of Stark. And as much as our extended relatives from Game of Thrones like to say it, we can’t help but repeat it for those worrying about their insulation – Winter is coming!  

So before you end up with a certified icebox as a home, call an insulation expert to review your residence. While it isn’t necessarily life-or-death to have a professional inspection, industry experts can help homeowners find savings and avoid unnecessary costs stemming from various insulation issues.  

Nonetheless, for the determined DIY’er, here are the areas and issues most likely to signal insulation troubles. 

Signs That Your Home Is Under-Insulated

Assuming that you’re a homeowner, you should probably know your house best. So, often it is best to start evaluating your insulation levels based upon your experiences over the last few seasons.  

Although some of these “symptoms” will be the last signs of a predicament, it’s a lot easier to do a comfort test before deciding to remove drywall.  

Homeowners and even renters can discover valuable information about their insulation health by simply taking a quick tour through their abode. Here’s what to look for: 

Varying Temperatures

Walking from room to room shouldn’t feel like your switching hemispheres. A well-insulated home will provide even consistent temperatures across your entire house. Slight variations are acceptable, but stay aware of drastic dips and increases in comfort.  

Expensive Energy Bills

Are you spending too much running your air conditioning? Losing a fortune on your gas furnace? While these might just be inefficiencies within your appliances, wallet-breaking utility costs can certainly be (and most times will be) signs that heat is entering or escaping your house.  

Drafts and Leaks

Feel cool air creeping on your neck? How about slight breezes near windows and doors? Unfortunately, keeping your house well-insulated is more than just cellulose or fibreglass in your walls and ceiling. Windows use inert gasses trapped in-between panes of glass to create a barrier against outdoor temperatures. As well, you will find that doors require seasonal inspections for weather stripping, sweeps, and caulking effectiveness.  

Water Leaking in Your Attic

Poor insulation within your attic is not only is a major proponent for Ice Dam formation on your roof, but water has a much easier time travelling through under-insulated ceilings. Water stains and leaks are a definitive sign to replace your insulation. Damp and wet insulation can’t do its job protecting you against the heat or cold, and most times can lead to costly repairs brought about by mould damage.  

Cold Floor and Walls

Insulation’s function is to protect you and your home from the fluctuating temperatures of the outdoors. So, if you find that drywall near the outskirts of your home is wet, damp, or cold to the touch, then it is probably best to start considering hiring a professional insulation inspection. Alternatively, in cold weather, if the outside walls of your house are warm, then heat has found an exit. Cold floors and walls can either be symptoms of gaps within insulation, water leaks, or worse.  

Ensure Your Comfort

When it comes to raising utility costs and your comfort, don’t wait around for another harsh winter. Professional home consultations can be your best and easiest insurance against chilly floors, wet ceilings, and high energy costs this upcoming winter.  

If you have noticed any of these symptoms within your own home, it is more than likely your insulation isn’t pulling its weight. Contact Tropical Insulation experts today to discuss your professional insulation inspection and get back to living comfortably.