F.A.Q. INSTA-PANELS®
Do I really need to be concerned about basement insulation?
YES. The basement is the coldest place in your house. Up to 35% of the energy losses in your house come from the basement, so it most definitely needs to be insulated. A well-insulated basement will save money normally spent on heating, and improves the comfort level of your house. Many customers complain about dampness in a cold basement, and the only way to fix this is to make sure it is insulated properly. Many older houses, even if they already have insulated basements, suffer from this problem as well. This occurs because old insulation, usually not even properly installed, does not give protection against moisture. In many cases wet insulation will generate problems with molds and fungus.
Are Insta-Panels ® a new product? I have never heard about them.
NO. INSTA-PANELS® have been on the market for over 7 years.
Do INSTA-PANELS® absorb water?
NO. INSTA-PANELS® are made of polyurethane foam, which does not absorb water. Moreover, steel covers protect the insulation against mechanical damage.
Are INSTA-PANELS® strong enough to step on?
YES. INSTA-PANELS® are very durable. Even heavy equipment working on a construction site can drive on them – that makes INSTA-PANELS® very easy to work with, and quick to install.
Do I need to be concerned about Insta-Panels ® rusting?
NO. INSTA-PANELS® are covered on both sides by painted steel. This paint protects the steel against rusting. The steel sheets do not play any role in thermal protection, so even if they do get rusty INSTA-PANELS® will still protect against heat loss.
Is polyurethane foam is safe for me?
YES. Polyurethane foam has been used on many different applications for many years, and has been tested extensively for safety. There are no emissions or any harmful substances related to the foam under normal conditions.
Can I install Insta-Panels ® by myself, or do I need to hire contractors?
Installing INSTA-PANELS® is very simple. In many situations customers can install them by themselves with some basic equipment: a skill saw, hammer, drill, and fastening tools.
To get a more aesthetic finish, we recommend joining the spaces between panels with Insta T-bars. INSTA-PANELS® come in one standard size (22 x 54 inches) to make the installation job fast and very easy.
Do I need to put an additional vapour barrier underneath the Insta-Panels ®?
NO. INSTA-PANELS®, if installed according to Insta-Insulation recommendations, protect against both wind and vapour. When installing INSTA-PANELS® on basement walls it is very important to ensure the tightness of the joints between panels.
Is it better to insulate basement walls from the outside or from the inside?
Both ways of insulating (inside and outside) have different advantages and disadvantages. We recommend insulating basement walls from the outside if possible. This method of insulating is more difficult to do but does save space inside the house. Insulating basement walls from the inside is very common as well though, and is generally a less expensive way to provide thermal protection.
How much space do I lose if I install Insta-Panels® inside a basement?
The INSTA-PANELS® are 1-¾ inches thick giving an R-value of 12. Polyurethane foam is one of the best insulating materials, so INSTA-PANELS® give very good thermal protection from a relatively small thickness. INSTA-PANELS® can be installed between or on the studs, but as with all insulations there is concern with providing tightness between the insulation and studs.
Do I need to remove the old insulation from between the studs before I install Insta-Panels ®?
It depends on the condition of the old insulation: if it is wet or in very bad shape, it is better to remove it. Wet insulation creates fungus and mold, which can be very harmful to people. Furthermore, most insulations that absorb water will have lost much of their insulation value.
How can I check the condition of insulation in my walls?
To look at the wall insulation, check it through a power outlet. If you notice that existing insulation is wet, you need to take steps to fix this problem as soon as possible. Wet insulation does not work properly, generates serious problems with mold and fungus, and definitely does not insulate your house efficiently.
Do I need to insulate the floor in my basement?
YES. The floor and walls are a significant source of heat loss. An insulated floor is warmer and drier; and it has direct influence on your comfort. Putting carpets on a floor only makes it feel warmer. If you have a heated floor insulation is very much necessary, as the heat loss through the floor would be higher than 50%. This heat loss is a huge and unnecessary waste of money. Return on investment for floor insulation is very quick, mainly because of the low cost of INSTA-PANELS®.
What sizes do Insta-Panels ® come in?
INSTA-PANELS® come in two sizes:
- 22 x 64 inches– retail price $ 0.50/ ft2 (Total area 9.78 ft 2/panel, Weight = 19.5 lb/panel)
- 22 x 36 inches– retail price $ 0.50/ ft2 (Total area 5.50 ft 2/panel, Weight = 10.9 lb/panel)
Do I have to worry about fireproofing the polyurethane foam?
NO. INSTA-PANELS® are made of polyurethane foam, which can by classified as self-extinguishing material. Steel covers on Insta–Panels ® additionally protect foam against flame spreading. For example, exterior doors in most houses contain polyurethane foam are considered safe and do not require additional protection.
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