Warmer in the Winter & Cooler in the Summer.

GET SEVERAL ESTIMATES

To get your insulation prices for your attic insulation, do it either over the phone, or have an estimator come to your home and give you an on-site written estimate. Ask your insulation installers to explain what level or “R-Value” you currently have, what R-Value they are going to add, and what R-value you will ultimately have when the job is complete.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO GET A QUOTE ?

* Are you wondering how much does an attic insulation upgrade cost?  What kind of insulation do you have in your attic. A simple description of texture and colour should be more than enough for any experienced estimator your contact on the phone. In most cases our estimators can determine by the area of the city and the age of your home, as to what type of insulation was most likely installed.

* For our customers convenience, we have added an online form/tool to get your insulation quote estimate via email, or phone, however you are most comfortable being contacted.  It's called "Grab-A-Quote", give it a try !

* Approximately how deep your existing insulation is. You can simply take a look at landmarks such as “its level with the top of the 2X4 rafters”. If you feel up to it. Take a tape measure and measure from the back of the drywall to the top of the insulation.

* The square footage of your attic. The easiest way to determine this is to look at your most recent tax assessment, it should have your footage on there. Make sure to indicate to your estimator if your home is a bungalow, two storey, split level, etc. This will help him/her determine an accurate footage.

* Don’t sweat too much about the particulars, as its our strict company policy that we will adjust the work order & invoice on-site to reflect any differences between the estimate, and what was actually required in your home. No questions asked. If your attic measures out to less than you thought on the phone, simply have the installer measure it out, and he/she will make the necessary adjustments on your bill before you pay. Don’t be intimidated by other contractors who will try to pigeonhole you into a bill, and stick with it.

ABOUT VENTILATION

Attic insulation and ventilation go hand in hand. Make sure your contractor takes the time to explain to you the essentials of good ventilation and what can be done to ensure you have proper air flow out of your attic. Trapped hot and moist air will not only make your home feel uncomfortable, it can damage such systems as your roofing, ceiling textures, insulation, and even your framing members.

If you are upgrading your attic, NOW is the time to install air chutes, roof vents, and turbines, if they are required.

FIBERGLASS OR CELLULOSE ?

Insulation installers have two points of view on this issue.  There are two main types of insulation used in southern Alberta. Fiberglass and Cellulose. While we supply and install both products, there are some facts you need to know about both.

Fiberglas is a spun fibreglass product made from virgin glass as well as a large recycled component. There are many brands of fibreglass, but it's all the same. Don’t let anyone tell you any different, and definitely don’t let them charge you more for a “premium” fibreglass. All fibreglass achieves is R-value in the same way, by the little tiny air spaces between all of the fibres. There are different brands, and many of them have cosmetic differences but don’t let anyone fool you into believing that one provides a “better” R-value than another. In new home construction, here in Calgary, probably 90% of all new homes are insulated with fibreglass.

Cellulose is made from recycled newspaper and cardboard. It has been around for many years, and until 10 years ago was the dominant product on the market. Because it was a waste and recycled product, it was always cheaper than comparable fiberglass. Fiberglas was once considered to be a “premium” option but was seldom used in new construction because of the expense. In recent years, there has been competition amongst the fibreglass manufacturers, resulting in a competitive price to the point where cellulose is actually more expensive to install. This is partly because of material costs, but also because of its dusty nature, and discomfort when installing.

Our conclusion is that fiberglass insulation is a superior product to cellulose for installation in attics.  Because of the very dusty nature of cellulose insulation and the way it is packaged, it is uncomfortable to install, and takes much longer, increasing our cost to install the product.  This translates into higher prices for the consumer.  We simply find that fiberglass insulation gives the customer more bang for the buck.  In addition, because fiberglass insulation has taken advantage of recycled glass in Alberta, it has become a much more eco-friendly option than it once was.

Why Fiberglass ?

Superior Moisture Resistance and Durability

Unlike cellulose, which is made of organic paper fibers, fiberglass is composed of spun (mostly recycled) glass. This inorganic nature gives it a massive advantage in the attic environment:

• Non-Absorbent: Fiberglass does not soak up water. If you have a minor roof leak, fiberglass will dry out and maintain its R-value. Cellulose, however, acts like a sponge, becoming heavy, matting down, and potentially leading to mold growth or even ceiling collapse.

• Less Settling: Cellulose is notorious for "settling" over time—sometimes losing up to 20% of its thickness—which directly reduces its R-value. Fiberglass loose-fill is engineered to maintain its "loft" for decades.

Naturally Fireproof

While cellulose must be heavily treated with chemicals (like boric acid) to make it fire-retardant, fiberglass is naturally non-combustible. * Because it is made of glass, it does not require a chemical cocktail to prevent it from catching fire.

• In the event of a fire, fiberglass won't contribute fuel to the flames, providing a permanent layer of safety that doesn't rely on chemical coatings that might degrade over time.

Cleaner and Safer Air Quality

The installation of cellulose is a notoriously "dusty" process. Because it is made of pulverized paper, it can release fine particulates into your home's air supply during and after installation.

• Low Dust: Modern fiberglass loose-fill (like "Climate Pro" or "Fill-In") is designed to be low-dust and formaldehyde-free.

• Pest Resistance: While cellulose claims to repel pests with its chemical additives, fiberglass is naturally unappealing to rodents and insects because it provides no nutritional value and is physically irritating to nest in.

WHAT WE DO?

If it has anything to do with insulation, then there's a pretty good chance that we do it.  Our specialties as an insulation contractor is retrofit attic upgrades, in the Calgary and area market.  With many years of experience, we can keep your insulation cost down, and maximize the return on your investment.  As far as new construction, we have a very good crew of installers to install wall batt, and blown in wall insulation, to make your project on time, and on budget.

We also specialize in insulation removals.  We have a large, custom built removal machine that can suck-out insulation as fast as any machine in the city.  Because of this, we keep your insulation removal costs low, and get the job done right, and fast.  If you are renovating your home, or just want those old wood-chips out of there, then give us a call.

WARRANTY STATEMENT:

All work is guaranteed to be completed in a workmanlike manner according to industry standards. All standard regulations and business practices shall be followed. Affordable Home Insulators Ltd. Warranties all workmanship for a period of two years. Manufacturers warranties shall cover & apply to all materials used.