Improved spray foam insulation is a good step toward improving the energy of building and heating efficiency.
A standardized insulation rating system ensures consistency, with insulating materials rated in R- and U-values. R-values represent resistance to the flow of heat; U-values are the direct opposite, representing the amount of heat that escapes through a material.
The lower the U-value, the slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality.
The first thing which should be taken into consideration when installing insulation is the R-value. The R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of insulation materials, thus, the higher the R-value is - the greater that resistance is. The more effective the level of insulation you need, the higher the R-value should be chosen.
If you are looking for spray foam insulation companies in GTA for attic insulation, basement insulation, wall insulation, sound insulation you should choose among insulation contractors, which provide the highest possible foam insulation R value to be sure that your home is the energy efficient buildings.
Almost all insulation products have information about their insulation R-value — pipe and duct insulation are the only exceptions.
A number of factors have influence on the R-value, which house needs:
The region where the house is located. House will need insulation with a higher R-value if it is built in a cold climate area than the one built in a warm climate.How the house is built and where the insulation will be applied. What kind of structure is it chosen - a single-level or multi-level? Is there a basement, or is house built on a slab?How you heat and cool your house. Whether you have a furnace, central air conditioner, or a heat pump that can be important for your insulation decisions.
It is not necessary to use the same R-value of insulation throughout the house; it's more efficient to use insulation with higher R-values in the attic and rooms with cathedral ceilings than in wood frame walls, basements, or crawl spaces with walls.
House energy audit is the best way to find out where energy is wasted in house. It involves looking into heating system, insulation, windows, doors, and other parts of house to determine the place where it might be losing energy.
R-values can be measured depending on the direction of heat flow - upward or downward. They are known as “up R-values” (resistance to upward heat flow, or winter R-values) and “down R-values” (resistance to downward heat flow, or summer R-values).
With bulk materials, the thickness of the product is the key factor in determining its R-value.
