Page 80 - Dockside Magazine Muskoka, Summer/Fall 2018

INSULATE THIS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT TURNBULL
Heed the warning signs when they arise
Do some rooms in because you don’t have enough comfort and your pocketbook,” Curtis says once the old making it great for keeping
your house or cottage
feel cooler or warmer than others? The problem
could be your insulation.
The signs insulation needs to be addressed can be subtle or blatant: from higher- than-usual heating and cooling costs, to drafts, to mold growing on walls or
in the basement. Cold walls or floors in the winter are another big red flag.
“Quality, properly installed insulation is an easy solution to these issues,” says
Curtis Hinksman, owner
of SoundSeals Insulation. “Insulation will degrade over time, so it may need updating. Or you may just need to
top up what’s already there
insulation in certain areas.”
Good insulation will have a high R-value – the measure of thermal resistance – to protect your home from heat loss.
With 40 per cent of heat loss leaving the home through your attic, it is important to have a minimum of R-50 insulation installed. Walls and basements should have R-20 or more.
Insulation does more than just keep warmth in. Its benefits include keeping buildings cooler in the warmer months: insulation is as important in three-season cottages as it is those open year-round.
“Addressing your insulation needs is important for your
says Curtis. “With energy costs soaring, updating or adding insulation now will quickly have positive effects on your hydro bills.”
Curtis suggests choosing
a spray foam insulation for the best results. Spray foam insulation provides a higher R-value than traditional batt insulation, resulting in better energy efficiency throughout your home or cottage.
The most cost-effective
approach is to add or replace
insulation when you have
other exterior projects on the
go – especially siding or roof
replacements. Even if it’s not
an immediate need, it can
save time, money and be less
intrusive. www.SoundSealsInsulation.com
siding is removed and the area prepared, they can insulate the exterior walls in a relatively quick manner using a spray foam insulation.
Spray foam’s R-value is higher than traditional batt insulation and brings other benefits as well. “The spray foam offers a two-in-one vapour barrier and insulation,
out moisture and pests,” says Curtis. From late spring through to early fall is the optimum season to install spray foam, to ensure full and thorough curing. “When it’s fully cured, spray foam insulation is a hard substance that mice and squirrels won’t chew through.” DS
BY CHRIS OCCHIUZZI
705-746-0066 info@soundsealsinsulation.com