PAGE 2, HOME IMPROVEMENT SUPPLEMENT, Tuesday, October 1,1977

Insulation, an investment

Insulation is increasing in
popularity as a means to
save both energy and
money. However, although
this message is being spread
by conservation advocates,
those who follow the advice
soon find there is much to
know about the purchase
and installation of insulation
materials, The home centre
must know the technical
applications better than his
customer.

There are four general
types of insulation, and in

ecting the appriate kind,
the consumer should
compare not only the cost
and insulating qualities, but
the resistance to fire,
moisture, and vermin, as
well as the ease of in-
stallation. Insulating ability
is commonly measured by
the thermal resistance
value, or “R’’. Any material
has an associated R value.
Building materials, such as
plywood, concrete blocks,
and gypsum wallboard,
have low R values (between
9.3 and 1.3). Insulation
materials range in R from 2
to 20, depending upon type
and thickness.

The most popular form of
insulation is the batt or

blanket of spun glass or rock
and slag firbres. Batis are
available in four and eight
foot lenths, and come in
varying widths
corresponding to the centres
of joists or studs. Blanket
insulation is the same wool
material on a longer roll.
Bundles vary in thickness
between two inches (R7)
and six inches (R20). This
type is reasonably inex-
pensive (between one and
two cents per square foot
per R unit) and is installed

y stapling it to the studs.
Glass fibre is easiert to
handle than mineral wool,
but the latter has a higher R-
value per inch. In working
either, advise the customer
- to use gloves to prevent skin
irritation.

Some batts come with a
vapor barrier, a protective
coating (was, aluminum
foil, plastic wrap) one one
side of the package. Con-

tinous polyethylene sheets...

are more effective barriers
because they do not allow
air leaks. Vapor barriers
are vital in, combating a
major problem in insulation
increased moisture
content. A well-insulated
house should be kept at a
low humidity level.

Another common ferm of
insulation is loose fill,
pelleis of mineral wool,
pulveriezed paper, sawdust,
or expanded mica (zonolite
or vermiculite). This can be
used for spreading in the
attic, but its primary ad-
vantage is that it can be
blown into -wall spaces of
existing structures. The R
values associated with loose
fili ranges from 2 to 4 per
inch, and their cost is
comparable to the price of
batts. (Vermiculite costs
about 24 cents per sq. ft. of
R.) Cellulose fibre is the
least expensive and best
insulator of the loose
varieties, but it must be
treated with a fire retardant
and, like sawdust and
vermiculite,
water. Fill is easiest to
install when wall spaces are
open, uninterupted, from
basement ta attic. Having it

toe

it absorbs -

blown in likely will requir

irea.
contractor, but this is the

best way to fill all wall
spaces caused by pipes,
wire, and crosspieces. One
disadvantage is that, over
time, fill cna settle, leaving
an uninsulated space at the
top of walls.

o newer forms of in-
sulation are foam plastic
sheets and sprayed-in-place
foam. These materials offer
the best insulating qualities
per thickness (one inch of
lue extreded polystyrene,
commonly known by one of
its trade... names,
“Styrofoam’’, has an R
rating of 5). The rigid sheets
are lightweight and are a
barrier to both sound and
vapor. They can-cut con-
struction costs because the
sheets are nailed or glued
directly to walls without the
need of wooden framing.

Foamboard sheets are the.

most expensive type of
insulation, costing up to 5
cents per sq. foot of one-R
resistance. Polystyrene is
more affected by moisture
than other plastics, and can
swell. It also has a low
melting point (0 degrees
C), and should never he
installed behind fireplaces.
Professionals are
required to spray the plastic
foams, such as polyurethane
and urea-formaldehyde,
directly into air spaces. The
technology of this method is
not yet rected.
Polyurethane

oam in

‘particular is subject to

expansion and could affect
walls. Spray foam has
nearly the same R-value as

the rigid sheets, and is-

slightly less expensive.

The greatest danger to
both forms of foam in-
sulation, however, is their
flammability, Not only will
the plastics burn quickly,
but they produce explosive
and toxic gases when on
fire. They can never by used
where they might be ex-

ed to open flame inside a
uilding. If used inside,
some building regulations
state that they must be
covered with gypsum
wallboard or other fireproof
panelling. -

Most consumers think of
insulation as being of value
only in the winter. Tell your
customers it also serves as a
barrier to heat in the

summer. And it economizes .

on the operation of air
conditioning. Once the
decision is made to upgrade

‘install, but care must be
- taken that moisture is not

sulating a wall can be dif-

int
revised currently to reflect

per cent, as do doors and
windows. The remainder
passes through ventilation
systems. These - figures
would vary, of course
depending upon the land-
scaping of the property and
the direction the house

’ faces.
The basement usually is ¥

the least adequately-
insulated area in a house.
The Federal Office of
Energy Conservation ad:
vocates outside, rather than
inside basement insulation,
expecially in homes with
mogtureo blems {|
However, this is a difficult
task, onvolving con-
siderably excavation work
for an older home and not
suited to. DIY. Ceiling in-
sulation is relatively easy to

trapped by the inslulation.
Most new homes have vapor
barriers, but if one must be
added, it should face the
interior of the house. In
addition, ceilings must have
ventilation to allow
moisture escape. Rein-

ficult because, in mest
homes, the available space
between the walls is taken
up by two-inch batts. Adding
more material might not be
worth the effort. Newer

homes, however, are bein

built with two-by-six ine
studs permitting much more
space for proper insulation.
Most older homes are
under-insulated. Although
codes are being

insulation, priorities must

be set for the location of the

heat (25 to 30 per cent) is
lost through the basement.

Energy Game..-
ENEAGY FP Proper honic
insulation Cudld sive up to .
So’, an yearly nealing Bilis |

© Eves alle imprevement
could Saye 29 to 30%. an |
2 Panally te

OMINECA

B 4759 W.

BUILDALL |

increased concern for
energy standards, most
rmitalusn7ii
levels below those ad-
yocated by the Canadian
Standards Association. The
CSA guidelines for
maximum comfort are: a

SPECIALIZING IN

rating of R32 in ceilings of
electrically-heated homes;
R2 for ceilings in homes |
heated by natural gas; Ri4
for walls; R30 for floors over
vented or unheated areas;
and R8in basement walls, to
a level two feet bleow
ground.

To the DIY, the cost of
doing a complete insulation
job could be as high as $2,000
although an expense of $500
would be more common.

ASSOCIATES
REALTY LTD. .

_ ASSOCIATES
FINANCIAL LTD.

If you have @ money need,
whatever it is, see the
Associates. Chances are one
of our new HOME MOR-
TGAGE PLANS can help you
maet your financing
requirements. Come inor call
te apply for the funds you
need.

PY -4554 Lazalle Avenue|
Terrace, 8.6.
VEG 152 *

EN

aX \ ee
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