A healthy house is one that is comfortable and well-insulated. It is warm in the winter and if you have air conditioning, it is cool in the summer. Some signs of insulation problems are:
- Cold walls and floors in the winter
- High heating costs
- Mould growing on walls (in winter)
- High cooling costs (in the summer)
- Ineffective air conditioning system
- Mould in basement (in summer)
R Values for Insulation
R Values and RSI Values (the metric equivalents) are a way of labelling the effectiveness of insulating materials. The higher the R value or the RSI value, the more resistance the material will have to the movement of heat. Insulation products that are sold in Canada are labelled in this manner.
Provincial building codes specify minimum R or RSI values for new homes and there are different values for different applications. If you are planning to build a new home, find out what the local building code requires for your area.
Types of Insulation
Fibreglass has an R/RSI value of 3.0-3.7 (21-26). It comes in plastic-wrapped bales. This product resembles a fibrous blanket and measures approximately 1.2 m (48 inches) in length and is wide enough to fit securely between wall studs. It can be bought from a building supply store.
Loose-fill insulation is available in fibreglass, mineral fibre and cellulose fibre. These products are typically installed by professional contractors. The R(RSI) Values range from 2.8-3.7 (19-26). Fibreglass loose-fill is usually pink or yellow in colour and can be affected by air movement in the attic of your home. Cellulose fibre loose-fill is denser in texture and provides more resistance to air movement than the other two varieties. It can have some settlement problems if it is not installed properly, so be sure to consult a professional contractor.
Board-stock insulation carries an R/RSI value of 3.6-5.0 (25-35), depending on the type you choose. Type I and II insulation must be covered, while Types III and IV can be used in wet conditions. Rigid fibreglass and rigid mineral fibre insulation are used in areas of the home where the capability to drain water away would be an important feature.
