Canada Home Guide

Insulate well.
Stay warm all winter.

Practical information on choosing, installing, and maintaining insulation in Canadian homes — from attic rafters to basement footings.

Cellulose insulation being applied in a residential attic
By the numbers
R-50+
Recommended attic insulation value in Climate Zone 7 (northern Canada)
30%
Typical share of home heat loss through poorly sealed attics and walls
3 zones
Canada spans climate zones 4 through 8, each with different insulation thresholds
Why insulation matters in Canada
Canadian winters put homes under sustained thermal pressure for months. The difference between an under-insulated and properly insulated house is measurable in both comfort and heating costs.
  • ❄

    Continuous cold exposure

    Cities like Winnipeg and Yellowknife record weeks below −30°C. Insulation that works at −10°C may underperform at extreme lows if air sealing is inadequate.

  • 💧

    Moisture and vapour barriers

    Cold climates create steep vapour pressure gradients. Without correct vapour retarder placement, warm interior air drives moisture into wall assemblies, leading to mould and structural damage.

  • 📈

    Energy code requirements

    The National Building Code of Canada sets minimum thermal performance levels that vary by climate zone. Provinces like Ontario and British Columbia have adopted stricter local supplements.

  • 🏠

    Federal incentive programs

    Natural Resources Canada's Canada Greener Homes Initiative provides grants for eligible retrofits. Qualifying upgrades must meet specific R-value targets determined by pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide assessments.

Featured articles
Insulation guides
Evidence of good roof insulation on a residential building
Attic & Roof

Attic Insulation: Materials, R-Values, and Installation

A detailed look at blown-in cellulose, fibreglass batts, and spray foam for Canadian attic assemblies, including ventilation requirements.

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Spray foam insulation being applied to exterior wall
Walls & Windows

Weatherproofing Walls and Windows Against Canadian Winters

Air sealing techniques, exterior rigid foam, and weatherstripping methods that address the specific challenges of Canadian freeze-thaw cycles.

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Foundation and basement insulation on a residential structure
Foundation & Basement

Basement and Foundation Insulation for Cold Climates

Interior vs. exterior foundation insulation, frost depth considerations, and below-grade moisture management in Canadian housing.

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Materials overview
Common insulation materials
Each material has different performance characteristics, installation requirements, and cost profiles.
Material Typical R-value per inch Primary application Vapour permeance
Fibreglass batts R-2.9 to R-3.8 Walls, attic floor, crawl spaces Permeable (requires vapour barrier)
Blown-in cellulose R-3.2 to R-3.8 Attics, dense-pack walls Semi-permeable
Open-cell spray foam R-3.5 to R-3.9 Interior wall cavities, attic decks Permeable (requires vapour barrier)
Closed-cell spray foam R-6.0 to R-7.0 Foundation walls, below-grade, rim joists Class II vapour retarder
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) R-5.0 Exterior foundation, under-slab Low permeance, moisture resistant
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) R-3.6 to R-4.0 Foundation boards, continuous exterior Moderate permeance
Mineral wool (rock wool) R-3.7 to R-4.2 Walls, fire-rated assemblies Permeable (requires vapour barrier)
External references
Authoritative sources