Attic Insulation

What we actually do up there

Insulation is the last step, not the first. An attic that is air-sealed at R–40 outperforms one that is loose at R–60, because the heat that matters leaves through gaps, not through fibres. So the order is: seal, ventilate, then insulate.

1. Seal the leaks. Top plates, plumbing stacks, wiring penetrations, bathroom fan housings, chimney chases and the attic hatch itself. This is the part that is invisible when we leave and the part that does most of the work.
2. Protect the airflow. Baffles at every rafter bay so the soffit vents stay open once the insulation is deep. Without them, deep insulation traps moisture and the attic frosts.
3. Blow to R–50. Cellulose or fibreglass, depending on the attic. Depth markers left standing so anyone — you, us, the programme — can verify it later.
4. Photograph and measure. Before, during, after, with the depth visible. It is what the rebate file needs and it is what you would want anyway.

What the attic stream pays

The rebate tier is set by what is up there now, not by what we install. Everything goes to R–50 regardless; only the cheque changes.

What is up there now	Upgraded to	Maximum rebate
R–12 or less — under about 4 inches	R–50	$1,250
R–12 to R–25 — about 4 to 8 inches	R–50	$1,000
R–25 to R–35 — about 8 to 11 inches	R–50	$800
Cathedral or flat roof, R–25 or less	R–28	$750
Cathedral or flat roof, R–12 or less	R–20	$650

Amounts are set by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, quoted here from the programme pages — attic stream and assessment stream — checked 17 September 2026. Programme terms change without notice.

Three things that cost us sales, said anyway

The rebate cannot exceed half the invoice. A $1,900 job in the top tier returns $950, not $1,250. On a typical GTA attic the tier is what lands, but on a small bungalow it is not, and you should know which one you are before you sign.

One attic rebate per home, ever. If a previous owner claimed it, the house has had it. We check before you commit, not after.

Over R–35 and the stream will not pay. If we measure it and the depth is already there, we will say so and price the air sealing and ventilation on their own — which is usually the work that was actually needed.

Cellulose or fibreglass?

Both reach R–50. Cellulose is denser, settles predictably, resists air movement better within the layer, and is made from recycled paper. Blown fibreglass is lighter, does not load an old ceiling, and does not absorb water if a roof leak appears later. We choose for the attic in front of us: lightweight ceilings and known leak histories get fibreglass; everything else usually gets cellulose. Nobody should be selling you one on ideology.

Common questions