Most people do not go looking for attic insulation. They go looking for the reason their bedroom is freezing, their floors are cold, or their gas bill jumped again. So this guide is organised the way Kitchener homeowners actually experience the problem: by symptom.
Problem 1: The upstairs is always colder than the main floor
Likely cause: not enough attic insulation, or insulation that has settled and thinned.
Fix: top up with blown-in material. Our attic insulation service in Kitchener uses cellulose or fibreglass loose-fill, blown over the existing layer when that layer is clean and dry. For the full picture, read what attic insulation actually fixes and how to do it right.
Problem 2: The furnace runs constantly but the house never feels warm
Likely cause: air leakage. Warm air escapes through gaps in the ceiling and cold air is pulled in lower down to replace it.
Fix: air seal the attic floor before insulating. Natural Resources Canada’s Roofs and attics guide identifies leaks around chimneys, vents, plumbing pipes and electrical boxes as a source of substantial heat loss. AeroBarrier can tighten the whole house.
Problem 3: Icicles and ice ridges along the eaves
Likely cause: heat reaching the roof deck near the edges, often with blocked soffit vents.
Fix: insulate fully to the perimeter and keep the airway open with baffles.
Problem 4: A musty smell or dark staining in the attic
Likely cause: moisture trapped in the insulation.
Fix: find the moisture source, then replace what is damaged. See how to tell when it is time to remove and replace your attic insulation and our attic insulation removal page.
Problem 5: Cold floors on the main level
Likely cause: an uninsulated rim joist or basement wall. Natural Resources Canada notes that basements can lose more heat than a typical attic.
Fix: spray foam insulation at the rim joist. Our post on when spray foam is worth the extra cost helps you decide.
Problem 6: One room over the garage that nobody wants to sleep in
Likely cause: a leaky, under-insulated floor above an unheated space.
Fix: garage ceiling insulation.
Problem 7: Cold walls and drafts at outlets
Likely cause: empty or poorly filled wall cavities, common in older homes.
Fix: drill and fill insulation, plus weatherstripping and caulking at windows and doors.
Which fix should come first?
For most homes, the attic. It is the easiest area to reach and the work is quick. If you want to confirm before spending anything, here is how to know if your Kitchener attic needs more insulation.
On savings: the U.S. EPA estimates an average of 15% off heating and cooling costs from air sealing and insulating attics, crawl space floors and basements (ENERGY STAR). It is a modelled U.S. average and your result will differ.
Money back on the work
See how Kitchener homeowners get money back on insulation through the Home Renovation Savings Program, or visit our energy rebate page.
Tell us your symptom
Contact us with what you are noticing, and we will take a look at the attic and tell you what is causing it.
