The Ontario Building Code has an important role in the safety of our houses and it is a regulator when it comes to building or construction standards. The Ontario Building Code Insulation Requirements evolve over time in order to increase the safety of existing buildings.
In this article, we are going to help you understand the Ontario Building Code requirements for insulation, so if you are planning a home renovation or you need to insulate your house, this article will impact some of your decisions.
What are the Ontario Building Code Insulation Requirements?
The Ontario Building Code is a regulation made under the Building Code Act. The Ontario Building Code Insulation Section was created to avoid unsafe construction practices, construction methods, and materials. It serves to guarantee both builders and homeowners comfortable and safe homes.
It requires that each section of a house that separates the inside from the outside and vice versa, must have:
- Insulation or a thermal barrier
- An air barrier
- A vapour retarder
Each of these sections is thorough and everything is explained with precision. For example, the internal walls of a home must prevent condensation from forming in winter. Also, the code specifies which materials to use for insulation and how to install them. All materials must meet the established requirements that material manufacturers are concerned with even before the insulation materials are marketed. So, never use second-hand material of dubious origin.
The Ontario Building Code deals in depth with the two main types of insulation and regulating them. These are some of the rules regarding the installation of thermal insulation and Loose-Fill insulation:
- Installation of Thermal Insulation – In order to prevent the flow of air through the material from being compromised the insulation must be in contact with an air barrier. If the insulation material is vulnerable to water, then it must be at least at a height of 2” above a crawl space floor. In case the insulation is exposed to atmospheric events, it must be protected by 6mm thick preservative plywood or 12mm cement parging.
- Installation of Loose-Fill Insulation – It must be covered by a membrane through which you can look, after installation it must not be moved and it must not swell and interfere with the internal finishes of the home.
Insulation areas
Attic
If you are planning on insulating the attic then you should remember to seal any air leaks and complete necessary repairs. It’s important to choose the right insulation for the attic and you may consider using spray foam insulation or blown-in insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) if you want to insulate the floor of the attic. It’s important to know that ducts should be sealed and insulated as well to reduce energy losses. Attic insulation value requirements have been raised so that the density for new homes and additions in Ontario now has been raised from R-50 to R-60.
Ceiling
Insulating the ceiling means that you avoid heat losses by keeping the warmth inside and reducing sounds. Ceiling insulation leads to better living comfort, it is an efficient and cheap way to improve the energy performance of your house.
Walls/Basement Walls
There are many advantages if you consider insulating the walls. In this way, you improve a home’s thermal performance and reduce energy consumption while reducing heating bills, and also improve a building’s comfort level. So, you keep moisture, heat, and cold where they should be for durability.
Home’s Foundation
When building a new home before backfilling the space you might want to insulate the foundation. Insulating the foundation will minimize insects, moisture, and radon infiltration problems
Navigating the Ontario Building Code Insulation Requirements
The Ontario Building Code requires a certain standard of energy efficiency in new builds, additions, or major renovations. If you’re considering insulating the house but you are not sure that your house confirms the current building code, you’re not alone. The good news is that you can choose a package of energy-saving improvements to meet the standard and there is not one specific change that has to be adopted.
You Can Count on Eco Spray Insulation – Even in Smaller Towns
From roofs, and attics, to rooms and basements, home insulation can be a very practical add-on that provides comfort to a living space while making the home far more efficient. In terms of meeting the Ontario Building Code’s requirements for energy efficiency, it is crucially important that you work with a professional insulation installer like Eco Spray insulation to ensure that you are properly and effectively insulating your home since insulation and air sealing are the biggest contributors to overall energy efficiency. Even just a few air leaks can drastically affect a small building’s level of energy efficiency and moisture build-up can lead to further problems or maybe too expensive repairs down the road.
Eco Spray Insulation is an expert in the field of insulation. In addition to installing the type of insulation that fits your needs, including spray foam insulation, fiberglass, and cellulose insulation, we also make sure that your home is air sealed to make you’re already home even cozier.
The best way to ensure that you are following Ontario Building Code requirements for insulation is to have a professional contractor like Eco Spray Insulation perform your installation.
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