What is considered a commercial building ?While building codes vary from municipality to municipality, generally speaking anything over three family dwellings can be considered a commercial building. Even though residential and commercial construction have different insulation requirements, the idea is exactly the same: safe and comfortable to occupy through proper insulation and air sealing, all while being economical. The higher the R-value, the less outside air can penetrate the insulation. This is a fact and doesn’t change no matter the construction method. Sadly, the code doesn’t really talk about the air sealing. At www.sprayfoamkings.com we know all too well what this will entail, and rightfully so we take extra care to air seal all of the projects we work on. The truth is spray foam insulation thankfully behaves as an air sealant as well as an insulation all in one. There are various types of commercial buildings. From schools to churches and much more, they come in all sizes and have different styles of construction. Generally, we will have a look at masonry, wood and metal construction, as well as sound dampening as another characteristic of the spray foam insulation. METAL CONSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL BUILDINGSIt is a very popular construction material in commercial buildings, structural stele or light gauge from, metal has some challenges when it comes to insulation due to its conductivity. If there isn’t an exterior insulation that is seamless layer, the metal conducts cold air into the structure in massive amounts. This of course will affect the R-value of the wall negatively, as the true r-value is now compromised no matter what the value of the insulation in the cavity is. And it doesn’t stop there, the cold metal can create a freezing and condensing effect of moisture that is in the air, either on drywall or the inside of the wall. Metal building construction should never have a penetrable insulation used like fibreglass, as this condensation can happen and wreak havoc. Vinyl covered insulation will allow for moist air to come in contact with the metal and it will freeze as it condenses in frigid temperatures. This is where the ideal characteristics of closed cell spray foam insulation will bring both vapour barrier and insulating effects to the table making it an ideal choice for this type of application. WOOD CONSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL BUILDINGSIt’s the size by which commercial wooden framed buildings can separate themselves from a residential building. There is little difference when considering insulation and air sealing in the buildings, but the potential hazard is much greater if there is a system failure, for example if a pipe happens to burst due to drafts in a floor it would be significantly worse if it took place on an upper level of a nursing home. MASONRY CONSTRUCTED COMMERCIAL BUILDINGSTo provide any sort of comfort, all concrete, block and brick walls must be insulated. When in new construction, by far the best at this task is spray foam insulation, and it would have to be installed either behind the drywall, or on the outside of the structural wall. In any case, there should be an unobstructed layer of foam , so it is vital to leave space between the masonry and the framing for the spray foam. It is also possible to fill cavities for a retrofit scenario. from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/commercial-building-spray-foam-insulation/
0 Comments
Flat roof sprayed polyurethane foam insulationEver since flat roofs were invented, they’ve proven to be intimidating to both homeowner and contractor alike. They have multiple difficulties including maintenance, waterproofing and insulating. We will be discussing the insulating problems for now. You must be very careful with which method and materials you use, to successfully insulate a flat roof. Here is a breakdown of how things should be organized: Ceiling InsulationGoing this route isn’t recommended as it would cause the height of the ceiling to drop 4-5 inches so that it would meet local codes. This would additionally make any future hardware or lighting upgrades very difficult to instal. Getting Between the Ceiling Rafters InsulatedOnly two insulation types should be used for this way of doing it. Dense pack cellulose insulation, or some open or closed cell spray foam insulation. Because air doesn’t really move in a straight line, it makes it very hard to properly ventilate a flat roof which is why these are the only two recommended materials to use. This would promote moisture to come into that area and if trapped, would wreak havoc and be very difficult to remove. It would save a great deal of headaches to have an area that wasn’t ventilated and to just spray the area with 4-5 inches of spray foam, or fill the whole cavity with dense pack cellulose. It’s important for you to consider stud height, if there are existing 2×6 studs, you’ll be limited to using closed cell spray foam insulation (which isn’t really a limit) due to the restrictions in R-value. Cellulose is R-3.8 per inch, open cell foam is R-3.5 per inch and closed cell foam is R-6 per inch. If there are 2×8 studs, then you can also use open cell spray foam or dense pack cellulose. One thing to note, is that fiberglass insulation should in no circumstance be used for such and application. Dense pack cellulose insulation will run you $1.50 per square foot, open cell spray foam will run you about $3.25 a square foot, and closed spray foam will take it to $6.00 per square foot. To learn more about the costs involved with foam insulation both on the flat roof and at your home or commercial property contact Spray Foam Kings today. Installing Insulation On The Outside Of the Roof SurfaceThis method is the most commonly used method in commercial flat roofs, but can also be used for residential as well. It’s done by using a powerful adhesive and applying it to the foam board, spreading it on the roof area, and fastening it with washer head nails. The waterproof rubber membrane will then adhere to the foam board. To achieve the required R-value, it normally takes two or more layers of foam board. This method requires no ventilation, the spaces between the ceiling joists can stay empty as they are. Keep in mind that when going with this approach, rim joists must be insulated to keep the whole system integral from roof to walls as to steer clear of moisture issues down the road. Contact Spray Foam Kings for a free consultation on the best type of foam for your flat roof project. from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-for-flat-roofs-in-toronto/ Batting or spray foam insulation – what to use?Winters in the GTA mean that many homeowners are concerned with cold drafts in their homes due to poor insulation, and our of control heating bills which again are due to poor insulation. Insulation is a topic that Canadians are all to familiar with as we do have extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year (our roads are a testament to this exact phenomena). Over the years, we’ve been seeing the rise of spray foam insulation, where most people growing up know the fibreglass batting as the most common insulating material. The question is, which one is better? And which one do you choose? Both spray foam and batting insulation come with their pros and their cons. Here is a brief run-through of what to look for.COST – the major difference between batting and spray foam insulation, is the price and complexity of installation. Spray foam insulation to be installed properly will require a professional, whereas batting can be a DIY project. Because of this added labour/expertise, spray foam insulation can be up to two or three time more expensive than batting. STRUCTURAL AND AIR QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS – a major benefit to spray foam is that it’s ability to create such a good air tight seal comes with more benefits to your home other than just insulation. Once cured, the foam acts as another level of structural reinforcement. to add to this, it significantly improves air quality inside as it blocks any pollutants from entering as it blocks heat from escaping, in the same manner allergens are also blocked from entering your home. ENVIRONMENTAL- Low in volatile organic compounds or VOC’s, spray foam is a green product that has massive growth for our ever renewable/greener future. Batting can have some environmentally friendly variations, it isn’t as versatile and there isn’t as much room for growth in the area spray foam does. LENGTH OF LIFE- batting as we all know does begin to break down and become less and less effective as an insulating material over time. Spray foam however is literally everlasting and will probably outlive the home! Unlike batting, spray foam will maintain it’s insulation properties throughout it’s life. Batting starts to sag and air pockets form, if it gets wet, it is rendered useless as an insulator. Spray foam insulation has water repelling properties and would maintain its integrity even if wet. QUALITY OF INSULATION- spray foam has multiple benefits, but it’s ability to insulate is unsurpassed. It creates a thermal envelope in your home which is very hard for any conditioned air to be displaced through it. The quality of the material coupled with the installation from a professional will ensure that your insulation is the best possible insulation out there, and can not be replicated with any other material. It’s seen a surge in the construction world and with good reason. Spray foam insulation has multiple applications and it is going to continue to grow in the field of construction for years to come. The quality of insulation and water/fire resistant character means that it is a multifunctional material that does not only it’s job, but other requirements without the need to use other materials. Spray foam insulation is the insulation of the future. from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/batting-vs-spray-foam-insulation-in-toronto/ It’s a good idea not to overlook garage insulation when planning on making your home in Toronto more comfortable and energy saving. Many times, garages are left unfinished and without insulation to minimize construction costs, this is because it is assumed that the garage will only be used to park the cars at night. There are however many people that use the space as a workshop, storage or for the dog to sleep at night, whatever you use the garage for, it’s a good idea to insulate it as it is a good investment. WHY YOU SHOULD INSULATE YOUR GARAGE IN TORONTOIt might come as a surprise how insulating your garage positively impacts the comfort of your home:
R-VALUE, UNDERSTANDING ITR-value is the measure of thermal resistance a material has. It is also the measure of the entire thermal resistance of a structure, such as a wall . A walls total R-value would include the studs, vapour barrier, insulating material and drywall, if it was an wall which had the exterior of the building on the other side, then whatever material is used such as brick would also be included. Windows are a weak point in any structures thermal envelope, so it’s a good idea to address any windows in your garage while you are considering insulating it. GARAGE WALL INSULATION IN TORONTOYou should take the time and air seal any common walls between you home and garage, before adding any insulation to the garage walls. Doing this will keep toxic fumes from penetrating into your home from the garage, whilst further reducing energy losses. You can use silicone caulk to seal any small crevices or holes the have wiring, or you can avoid this all together, and just use expandable spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation has had a boom in the last decade or so, andsome municipalities have gone as far as making it code to use it. There are countless benefits to using spray foam insulation for this application. GARAGE ATTIC INSULATIONOne of the most cost-effective ways to make a space more comfortable in cold and hot weather is to insulate the garage attic. If the garage ceiling isn’t finished, the best way to insulate it is to use spray foam insulation and just fill in the gaps, of course the best choice would be to hire a professional for the job. GARAGE DOOR INSULATIONNeglecting the garage door when insulating your garage would be counter productive. Ideally you would purchase a new door that has a higher R-value, but if you don’t have the money for that, then you can add insulating gaskets between the joints, and make sure to replace the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. When the door is closed, a tight seal will keep drafts from coming inside. INSULATING WINDOWS IN GARAGEBe sure to make the widows as energy efficient as possible. Seal the gaps around the frame with spray foam insulation. So the windows seal tightly, be sure to replace any worn weatherstripping. Sheets of clear plastic can also be taped to the window frames to reduce further heat transferring. If there is a window air conditioner for the hot weather, be sure to cover it in the winter to prevent drafts. Contact Spray Foam Kings for any further information if your looking to get your garage insulated in the GTA. You can learn the prices of spray foam insulation per square foot in the greater Toronto area here: http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/cost-per-square-foot-of-spray-foam , you can also see a list of services we offer or simply give us a call at (647) 846-7592 from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/insulating-the-garage-surprising-impact-on-home-comfort/ Wood studs and fiberglass batts are still the most commonly used material to insulate basement walls in Toronto Canada, most popular, but not the most effective. Just like a kitchen sponge, fiberglass insulation takes up moisture, which is the perfect breeding ground for mold to grow. Fiberglass is a health hazard as a material, it’s also a poor insulator when it absorbs moisture. There is debate whether fiberglass insulation has any insulating properties at all after it gets wet. Best types of spray foam insulation for your basement?So which insulating material fairs best for basement walls in Toronto Canada? In the last decade, more often than not, Canadians are opting for foam insulation for their basements. The beauty with closed-cell foam insulation is that it does not harbour moisture and mold growth will be non-existent. Secondly, once installed, the foam is sprayed directly onto the basement walls and it provides a consistent layer of insulation free of crevices and cracks that would create leaks and drafts. Lastly, foam has a higher R-value per inch and would require far less material to insulate the same area as a batt would, not to mention that a closed cell foam behaves as a vapour barrier, excluding the dreaded step of covering the wall with a poly. Let’s go over some of the different foam insulation methods available. Rigid foam sheets are the most common of the rigid foam insulations. They come in 2’x8′ and 4’x8′ sheets and are offered in varying densities and thicknesses and can be installed outside or inside of basement walls. Using these sheets on the exterior is more expensive than insulating from the inside as it can damage the sheets when installing. When insulating from the outside, it does have energy savings and behaves as an external vapour barrier, but the inside concrete walls are still on the cooler side. More often than not, those that insulate the exterior tend to have to insulate on the inside as well, and that’s ok. When it comes to the basement, there can never be too much insulation, however it has to be closed cell. When insulation basement walls from the interior, there are different foam products that can be used. Spray foam insulation is very efficient at insulating and has emerged as the preferred product when insulating. When installed properly, spray foam insulation is a multipurpose product that doubles as a vapour barrier. Improperly installed however, it can present some problems such as it can release gases that release poison toxins. That’s why you need to have a professional do the installing. Rigid foam panels are a great choice when insulating the inside basement walls. Super hight R-values can be acquired when you choose the right thickness and type of materials are chosen. A major disadvantage to these sheets is , that to perform optimally, the panel has to be directly attached to the wall utilizing a foam insulation anchor or an adhesive. The problem is that rarely is a wall perfectly flat to attach it to. To create this perfectly straight wall, there would have to be further construction done adding to the price of the job and reducing useable square footage in the basement. Best basement insulation systems in Toronto ONThere have recently been introduced new technologically advanced basement insulation systems. Generally, these new systems are multipurpose solutions that include insulation, framing and sometimes drywall. Most of the time these systems are incompetent and complex to install, most foam insulation is effective in basements. If you’re looking to transform your basement in the greater Toronto area into a comfortable living area and create extra square footage of your entire home, then there’s no question that you’ll have to insulate the basement with foam. Energy savings and an insulated basement are two of a kind. Utility bills go down and you stay warm, dry and comfortable, not to mention that the basement can now be rented out as an extra income. Another consideration to take into account is the framing, it’s always better if the framing is also moisture, mold and mildew resistant as well. Plastic or steel framing is a better choice compared to wood. You can find out the cost of spray foam insulation in Toronto here, and learn all the advantages offered by Spray Foam KingsIn closing, when trying to maximize energy efficiency in a home, it’s important to consider all angles of a home, keeping in mind the whole home has a thermal envelope. The times of cold damp dark basements are gone. Todays hot demand for property requires homes to use every inch of space and most definitely the basement. Take care of your family and investment by going with the most advanced method to insulate the basement that will give you years of insulation from the outside elements and you can rest assured that there won’t be any mold issues down the road when you use spray foam insulation. It’s long-lasting, environmentally responsible and relatively simple to install. from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/foam-insulation-for-basement-walls-in-toronto/ Professionals give a rough estimate that %35 of heat loss from the majority of homes happens through uninsulated walls. By installing cavity wall insulation, you are reliably improving the energy performance of your home, saving you money on heating and cooling bills and keeping your warm. WHAT EXACTLY IS CAVITY WALL INSULATION ?In the past, building practices would use a double wall method where there would be an inner wall, and outer wall, with a cavity between them. The idea was that the cavity would prevent water from penetrating from the outside through the wall. However, those open cavities will allow for heat to travel from the inside to the outside effectively overworking your heating system. When this cavity is filled, it is what we refer to as cavity wall insulation and can be filled with various insulating materials. The most commonly used material is spray foam insulation which is pumped into the cavity through holes which are drilled in the external wall. Your home is a candidate for cavity wall insulation if:
THE COST OF CAVITY WALL INSULATIONCavity wall insulation isn’t suitable for all walls. It’s critical to have your walls examined prior to having any cavity wall insulation installed. Walls that are exposed to the elements, especially rain and wind , may unfortunately not be suitable. persistently filling these expose walls to these harsh conditions may lead to damp issues, especially if it is mineral wool is used. The size of your home will determine the costs associated with cavity wall insulation, and the insulating material the contractor uses. There may be grants available which can cover a significant portion of it or even all of it. In the next section we go over estimates of the savings made from heating bills and return on investment when you invest in cavity wall insulation. HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE WITH CAVITY WALL INSULATION PER YEARThere is no doubt that cavity wall insulation will save you money on your energy bills, but how much money? How long will it be before you get your investment back, and is it worth it? Have a look at some of the projected savings over a year in various type homes:
The ROI figures above, and the savings you acquire from this energy efficiency measure, there is no question that cavity wall insulation is worth the investment. Be sure to consult with professionals first to determine if the walls are suitable. CAVITY WALL INSULATION, POTENTIAL PROBLEMSSome people experience moisture issues right after they have installed cavity wall insulation. In most of these cases, these moisture issues were over-looked during inspection prior to installation, or the actual installation was poorly executed, or the simply the walls weren’t suitable. Here are a few things you can look out for to not get into any of these moisture issues:
If you take any of these measures, it is very unlikely that you’ll experience any moisture issues post instalment. A professional cavity insulation contractor should direct you wether your walls are suitable or not. Get a free estimate contact Spray Foam Kings today for your next cavity wall insulation price estimate. Check out our article on the cost per square foot of spray foam insulation for your home or business here: http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/cost-per-square-foot-of-spray-foam from http://sprayfoamkings.com/blog/cavity-wall-insulation-costs-in-toronto/ |
ABOUT USSpray Foam Kings is the number one rated Insulation company in the Greater Toronto Area. We service all regions including Durham, York, Peel, Halton. Our service cover any size job both residential and commercial. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |