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WSI - Foam Insulation in Toronto

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The use of foam insulation in Toronto homes and buildings is increasing. But foam insulation can refer to two different types of insulation and, because of the extremes of heat and cold experienced in Toronto’s climate, they can have two different results. One type of foam insulation is foam board insulation. This is a rigid panel of foam insulation, including polystyrene, polyiso and polyurethane. The other type is spray foam insulation which, like the name says, is sprayed into place.

Before discussing the differences of the two types and the benefits of spray foam in Toronto homes, we need to understand how insulation works. Insulation is designed to stop heat from transferring from one side of the insulation to the other. It does this by creating resistance against heat energy passing through the insulation. All types of foam insulation are good at stopping heat transfer because of the tiny pocket of air trapped inside the foam. Insulation is important in Toronto homes throughout the year. In winter, foam insulation is good at keeping heat inside a home. The more heat that insulation keeps in a home, the less energy is needed to keep the home at a liveable temperature. If your Toronto home had no insulation, heat would transfer out of your home at a high rate and your energy costs would be very high because of the amount of heat your furnace would need to produce to keep you warm.

In Toronto’s hot summers, foam insulation keeps heat out of your home. By doing so, your foam insulation reduces your air conditioning costs. So the foam insulation in Toronto homes has a full-time job; keeping heat out in summers and keeping it in during winters. The better the insulation, the more heat it will stop from passing. Insulation doesn’t just reduce your energy costs, it reduces energy consumption, which is better for our environment.

The resistance that insulation has to heat transfer is measured in R (resistance) value. The higher the R-value, the higher the resistance to heat migration. Foam insulation has good R-value in a relatively thin space; it’s why many picnic coolers are made of foam. It makes foam insulation perfect for insulating any part of your Toronto home, even tight spaces. There are other types of home insulation that you can use, but none with the same benefits as foam. The most popular type of home insulation is fibreglass batt insulation. While fibreglass also has good insulating properties it is bulky and somewhat difficult to work with. Another major advantage that foam insulation has over fibreglass batts is that it is waterproof. If fibreglass batts get wet, their R-value is significantly reduced. Even small amounts of moisture, like the condensation that sometimes occurs in your roof, can have an effect. With the hot and cold shifts in Toronto’s climate, and roof leaks that can happen from repeated freeze/thaw cycles, the roof and walls of your home is susceptible to some sort of moisture. With fibreglass batts, it means you will not get the R-value you expect from your home insulation.

The question for homeowners is, if foam insulation is best for Toronto homes, then which type of foam insulation is better, foam board or spray foam. Both types offer excellent R-values without the bulk that is characteristic of other insulation materials. Both types are also waterproof and their R-values are unaffected by moisture.

The major difference between foam board and spray foam insulation has to do with their ability to seal your home. Just like moisture reduces the R-value of fibreglass batts, gaps in your insulation will also reduce R-value. Gaps occur in spots where insulation can’t reach, or between batts and panels of insulation. A gap in your insulation is like an open window; heat can pass through the gap without any resistance. Again, if you have gaps in your insulation, you will not get the R-value you expect from the insulation.

Foam board insulation is rigid, which makes it difficult to seal gaps between the foam board and the structure of your home and between foam board panels. Spray foam insulation can be sprayed into the most difficult to reach spots. After spraying, spray foam insulation expands to fill every gap and even seal small leaks in your roof. Your best option to completely seal your home is spray foam insulation in Toronto.

Air Seal Insulators specialize in spray foam insulation in Toronto.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Contact Air Seal today and completely insulate your home with foam insulation toronto

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