High-performance thermal insulation on the exterior walls of our Ridgewood Home, Richmondhill

From the roof down to its foundation, there are several key factors why a home should be properly insulated. For an optimal energy-efficient home, it is important to create a barrier between the outdoor elements to maintain good air quality, temperature and moisture levels; the more insulation, the less energy you will lose which can save you money. 

Insulation is rated using an R-value, the capacity of the material to resist heat flow. It is calculated by the thickness of the insulation and how effectively the insulation limits the movement of energy. 

At RS Homes we aim to exceed insulation requirements creating the most energy-efficient home possible and maintaining long-term functionality of your home. Here are a few insulation highlights.

Exterior Insulation

We use a recyclable high-performance rigid-foam thermal insulation that continuously wraps the exterior creating a tight, dry and strong durable structure. Silverboard® Graphite XS(as shown above), is an expanded polystyrene (EPS) base material that embeds carbon “graphite” particles which increases the thermal performance of the insulation keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer! 

spray foam insulation
Progress image of spray foam insulation on ductwork of our RidgewoodHome

Ductwork

Ducts are commonly leaky because of the joints between duct sections and fittings. Energy is wasted when conditioned air leaks out of ducts and unconditioned air leaks in. It creates air quality and temperature issues by drawing air from the attic, crawl space or basement into the living space. It is important to seal the joints to prevent energy-lose with appropriate sealing materials. Above, we used a spray foam in the attic to create an air barrier to prevent loss of energy as the R-value is relatively high per inch.

secondary basement kitchen
Basements should be well insulated, dry and a comfortable living space. Pictured is a secondary basement kitchen and bar area in our DoncrestHome, Richmondhill

Basement Insulation

The basement is an extension of your home and should provide a dry, comfortable living space. Moisture control is essential to healthy basements known for headaches around water leaks, moisture and mold. In new homes, by extending the exterior insulation to the basement it creates a thermal mass for the rest of the home creating stable interior temperatures. It reduces heat loss through the foundation and protects the damp-proof coating from damage during backfill. It also provides protection against leaks and condensation. 

For more information on insulation or building a HealthyHome, please feel free to reach out to one of our team members at 416-480-0282.