Does Your Attic Insulation Need a Vapour Barrier
If you’re considering replacing your attic insulation in Mississauga, you may be presented with a variety of insulation options and wondering whether a vapour barrier is a necessary feature. Maintaining ideal conditions within the attic is a key factor in a health and energy-efficient property. When attics succumb to moisture, more problems tend to follow. In fact, moisture is the leading cause of attic insulation damage in the city. For expert insight into the benefits of vapour barriers and your attic insulation in Mississauga, reach out to the EcoStar Insulation team. For clients with repeat or severe mold issues in their attic, our recommendation is the same every time: it’s time to switch to spray foam insulation in Mississauga.
How Does Vapour Affect Your Attic?
Attic mold is caused by an excess of moisture, making the elimination or mitigation of water (in all its forms) an essential part of a mold elimination strategy. Water appears in your attic in two primary ways:
- Liquid: Leaks, drips, spills, floods.
- Vapour: Humidity, condensation.
Regardless of how the water gets into your attic, it can have a devastating effect on the longevity and efficacy of your attic insulation. Water vapour can degrade and compress insulation, as well as cause mold problems. Issues like these can be circular — one making the other worse until your attic environment is severely dysfunctional. You’ll feel this throughout the property in problems such as rising heating and cooling bills or temperature regulation issues.
What Do Vapour Barriers Do?
A vapour barrier helps prevent the movement of water into your attic. There are generally two different ways you can install one. The typical route is to have a separate vapour barrier installed before installing insulation. These barriers usually allow moisture out but not in. The second, more modern method is to use an all-in-one product, such as spray foam insulation.
How Does Spray Foam Insulation Prevent Moisture?
Some of the most common questions from EcoStar clients familiar with traditional insulation types revolve around how spray foam insulation prevents moisture and whether it needs an additional vapour barrier. Closed-cell spray foam does not require a separate vapour barrier because the product functions as an air and moisture barrier. However, open-cell spray foam does.
The Many Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
As the name suggests, closed-cell spray foam forms an impenetrable barrier that offers excellent R-Values, prevents moisture and air leaks, and has excellent sound-blocking properties. Spray foam insulation does not degrade over time, is highly resistant to mold growth, and will not collapse or break down when installed professionally.
Moisture-Proof Your Attic with EcoStar Insulation
When choosing attic insulation in Mississauga, the many options can be overwhelming! If you’re looking to upgrade your insulation or replace old or damaged fibreglass or cellulose insulation, the EcoStar team would love to tell you more about how spray foam insulation can help! This safe and modern product has helped thousands of homeowners in Mississauga and the GTA lower their heating and cooling bills, stay cozy throughout the year, and prevent expensive mold and moisture damage to their homes. Speak to an EcoStar Insulation technician about spray foam insulation in Mississauga.
