Eco-friendly insulation

Was your house cold this winter? Do you dread opening your heating bills as much as your mutual fund statements? Lots of Canadians are paying much more attention to the energy efficiency of their homes these days because we've never had a more compelling financial reason to do so. But quite apart from the increase in energy prices, the green-consciousness of society is on the rise, too. Green is currently cool. Very cool, and that's as it should be, though there's a problem.  Our newly green outlook  means nothing on its own. Before worthy sentiments can translate into any kind of reduction in the environmental impact of your home, you need to make actual, physical upgrades to the structure. Is adding more insulation on your list?  Spring is a great time to do it.  With memories of cold feet still in your mind, and hot weather still a few months off, let me share a pleasant discovery with you.

I've installed plenty of fiberglass insulation in my time, and it's not the kind of activity you grow to love. While fiberglass batts currently remain the most popular form of wall and attic insulation in our country, you've got to wonder why. It's itchy and dusty stuff, and it's not nearly as easy as you'd think to cut and fit the batts to properly fill existing spaces. That's why I decided to try mineral wool bats — a fiberglass substitute — for an installation upgrade job I tackled about a year ago. With memories of my previous fiberglass encounters in mind, I braced myself for the worst. Perhaps that's why I ended up being so delighted.

The bundles of insulation I bought are made by Roxul. They're a European firm that's recently expanded their manufacturing plant in Milton, Ontario.  The fact that this facility is itself quite green by design is a very nice thing. But what's even better is the physical experience of using the stuff they make. Their mineral wool batts don't cause itching, they're firm and resilient enough to reliably fill spaces without settling, and the product slices amazingly well with a serrated knife.

I know what you're probably thinking right about now. Sure, this stuff may be good, but it probably costs a bundle. Not true. Depending on market conditions and the thickness of batts you're looking at, Roxul is either a little bit more or a little bit less money than competing brands of fiberglass. All of which leads me to believe that we're seeing the beginning of a brand-new shift in a major part of the home improvement market. And all I can say is that it's about time!