What is batt insulation?

Batt insulation is a flexible blanket of insulation, cut to fit between the studs, joists, and rafters of a building's framing. It's one of the most common and cost-effective ways to insulate a house, and it comes in two main materials: fibreglass and stone wool (also called mineral wool or rock wool). Both trap air within the fibres to slow heat transfer, but they fit different jobs.

Fibreglass batts carry an R-value of about 3.0 per inch and are an economical choice for framed walls and ceilings, meanin they usually have a lower overall price point. Stone wool batts are more dense, at an R-value of around 3.7 per inch, and have a few benefits over fibreglass. Stone wool is fireproof, water-resistant, mould-resistant, and act as a better sound barrier, which makes it the better pick for partition/divider walls and anywhere more fire protection is important.

How IMF installs batt insulation

Batt insulation only works if it's installed correctly, and most of the batt insulation that underperforms was let down by the install, not the material itself. Isolation Majeau's professional crews install based on a few rules:

The cavity gets filled evenly, with the batt cut to fit the space. Our teams make sure not to compress the material any more than necessary - a compressed batt loses R-value.
Batts are fitted around wiring, outlets, and pipes rather than crammed over them.
We install a continuous, thin vapour barrier that straddles the studs, and seals any penetrations from wires or pipes with vapour barrier tape.
Acoustic sealant goes on ribbon strips, side rails, and sill plates to close the gaps that let air and sound through.

Once the wall is closed with drywall, it's too late to fix, which is why it's important to have a professional team that installs batt insulation right the first time, every time.

Where we recommend batt insulation

Batt insulation is one of the most common insulation materials found in Quebec homes - it's cost-effective, insulates well, and can be installed quickly. Isolation Majeau installs tens of thousands of batts each year throughout the home:

In exterior walls in new builds and renovations, where standard framing cavities are made with batt insulation in mind.
In interior and partition walls, where stone wool batts can help add soundproofing between bedrooms, bathrooms, or living areas.
In dividing walls and floors between units, where fire resistance and sound control matter most.
In little-known applications like a basement's rim joists, an often under-insulated area of the home.

One thing we don't do is install fibreglass batts directly to concrete foundations, steel, or end joists. Those spots need a different approach, usually spray foam insulation, and putting fibreglass there can cause moisture and mould problems down the line. Luckily, our teams are experts at installing spray foam insulation for those applications, as well!

Why choose Isolation Majeau for batt insulation

Batts are treated as a simple, easy-to-install option, and that's why they can often be installed poorly. Gaps, compression, sloppy edges, batts stuffed around wiring, or vapour barriers with holes it it (or no vapour barrier at all!)...all of these are issues that get hidden behind the drywall once it's up, but they're all issues we've helped fix when an installation wasn't done correctly the first time.

We install batts to fit, seal them properly, and pair them with the right vapour barrier for the assembly and Quebec building code. We use quality fibreglass and stone wool products from leading manufacturers, backed by their warranties. Isolation Majeau serves Greater Montreal, Laval, the South Shore, Lanaudière, and the Laurentians.

Get in touch with Isolation Majeau today to discuss your insulation project!