Batts

The most widely used insulation for residential construction in our region is an unfaced fiber glass batt. It is a flexible product, composed of small diameter glass fibers, with a resin binder. The majority of its thermal resistance is obtained from the trapped air pockets created by the matrix of spun fibers within the batt, not by the fibers.

Did you know? Gaps in insulation can dramatically reduce the R-value of a wall assembly. If insulation batts do not completely fill stud cavities side to side and top to bottom, convective loops can be established as the air moves freely through the stud cavity. Voids can allow a great deal of heat through the wall. It is important that voids are filled. Mineral wool and fiberglass batts can lose up to 30 percent of their R-value if there is 4 percent gap in the insulation, measured over the exposed, insulated surface.
— Home Inspection Technical Article

Today’s generation of fiberglass batts do not settle, are non-combustible, resistant to moisture, mold, mildew and rodents. Batt insulation requires the use of a polyethylene air/vapour barrier on the inside for control of air and moisture movement. When properly installed within the building envelopes wood framing (i.e. 2” x 6”), fiber glass batts, combined with a well sealed air/vapour barrier will meet the standards developed by Energuide for a ‘typical new home’, up to an ‘energy efficient new home’. Typically, additional levels of thermal insulation must be added to obtain the ‘highly energy-efficient new house level’ or the ‘R2000 standard’.

Example image of a batt insulation.

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