Proven, code-compliant, cost-effective
BATT Insulation
Batt insulation is only as good as its installation. We fit, cut and detail it the way the rating assumes it will be installed — which is where most batt jobs quietly lose their R-value.
What it is
Batt insulation is the product most people picture when they think of insulation: pre-cut blankets of fibreglass or mineral wool, friction-fit between studs, joists and rafters. It is the most economical way to insulate clean, standard, open framing, and for a large amount of straightforward new-build work it is exactly the right call.
What separates a good batt job from a bad one is entirely workmanship. The R-value printed on the bag assumes the batt is the correct width for the cavity, is not compressed, is not gapped at the edges, is split cleanly around wiring and plumbing rather than crushed behind it, and is paired with the right vapour barrier detailing and attic baffles. Miss those and a nominal R-22 wall can perform closer to a fraction of it — which is exactly why so many houses feel drafty despite being 'fully insulated'.
We install batts the way the rating assumes. Every cavity is measured and cut, every obstruction is split around, edges are tucked, and the barrier and baffles are detailed before anything gets covered up.
Fibreglass or mineral wool?
- Fibreglass batts are the value choice: light, widely available, and effective in standard cavities. They are what most new-build walls and ceilings get.
- Mineral wool (rock wool) costs more but is denser, holds its shape without fasteners, is non-combustible, and performs noticeably better acoustically — which makes it a favourite for party walls, mechanical rooms, home offices and floors between storeys.
- We will price either, and tell you honestly where paying for mineral wool is worth it and where it is not.
In detail
Everything else worth knowing
Traditional batt fiberglass insulation
Building a new home or cottage and looking for insulation? When you insulate, it matters that you choose a company offering a range of insulation styles so the right one goes in each area.
Batt fiberglass insulation is a quick and low-cost method of insulating, and it comes in a wide variety of R-values for any size of area.
The key is tight-fitting batts
The key to a quality insulating job is tight-fitting batts that completely fill the stud cavity with no voids or gaps. Only our trained professionals install fiberglass batts the proper way, avoiding the heat-loss problems that lead to ice damming, mould and mildew.
Hassle-free building inspections
With the changes to the Ontario Building Code, we assure our clients that we strictly follow the new codes in the building envelope — which means hassle-free inspections with city and township inspectors.
If you have questions about a new build or a renovation, we are here to help.
Benefits
Why homeowners choose it
Lowest cost per square foot
For large, clean, standard-width cavities, nothing beats batts on budget.
Ontario Building Code compliant
Specified and installed to meet the effective R-value your build type and permit require.
Fast to install
Big open new-build areas go in quickly, which keeps your trades schedule moving.
Non-combustible option available
Mineral wool adds fire resistance and superior sound absorption where you need it.
Easy to inspect and modify
Cavities stay accessible for future wiring, plumbing or renovation work.
Works alongside foam
We routinely foam the rim joists and problem areas and batt the rest — best performance for the budget.
Where we apply it
Where batt goes to work
Exterior walls in new builds
The standard application, sized to the cavity depth.
Attic floors and sloped ceilings
With proper baffles at the eaves so soffit venting is not blocked.
Basement stud walls
Detailed correctly so the assembly dries and does not trap moisture.
Interior partition walls
For sound between bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and living space.
Floors over unheated space
Garages, cantilevers and crawl spaces, supported so it cannot droop.
Garages and outbuildings
A cost-effective envelope for spaces that are heated intermittently.
Our process
How the job runs
- 1
Measure and specify
Cavity depths, framing spacing and the R-value your permit or build type calls for.
- 2
Cut and fit
Every batt is cut to the actual cavity — no crushing, no stuffing, no gaps at the edges.
- 3
Detail the obstructions
Batts are split around wiring and plumbing so there is insulation on both sides, not compressed behind.
- 4
Baffles and barrier
Eave baffles are installed to keep the soffit vents clear, and the vapour barrier is detailed and sealed as required.
- 5
Inspection-ready handoff
Left clean and ready for the building inspector and the drywall crew.
Why us
Why choose Barrie Insulation Systems
Straight recommendations
If a cheaper product will do the same job in your house, we will tell you. We would rather have the referral than the upsell.
Certified applicators
Spray foam is installed under CAN/ULC-S705.2 by certified applicators — not by whoever was available that morning.
Clean, tidy work sites
The thing our customers mention most in their reviews. Floors protected, debris hauled out, space left ready for the next trade.
Four systems, one contractor
Spray foam, BIBS, batt and removal under one roof, so the quote is for the right product in each area of your house.
Local and accountable
Based in Barrie, working across Simcoe County and the Kawartha Lakes area for more than 15 years.
Free, no-obligation quotes
We come out, look at the actual building, and give you a written price.
What customers say
Batt customers most often mention that the crew showed up when they said they would and left the site clean. 15 five-star reviews on Google.
Just finished a project with Peter and team on our home. An area of our home was discovered to be un-insulated. Peter consulted with us and in a very timing manner solved our issue. The team did a great job, very personable and a pleasure to work with. Spray foam can be messy, not for the team at Barrie Insulation. Arrived, completed the job and even scraped the area's where over spray occurred. Highly recommend this team - True professionals.
These guys provided a very reasonable quote for some spray foam and blown in insulation, went above and beyond to get it done on our timeline (including working on a Saturday), billed according to the estimate and were great throughout the process. Very happy with their work and would definitely recommend them to others.
BATT Insulation — frequently asked questions
Is batt insulation worse than spray foam?
It is different, not automatically worse. Batts do not air seal, so in a leaky house or an awkward cavity foam will outperform them by a wide margin. But in clean, standard framing that has been properly air sealed, well-installed batts hit code, cost far less and are a completely legitimate choice. The mistake is using batts where the assembly needs an air and vapour barrier.
What R-value do I need in Ontario?
It depends on the assembly, the climate zone, your heating equipment and whether it is a new build or a renovation — the Ontario Building Code sets the minimums by build type. We specify to the requirement that applies to your permit rather than a generic number: NEEDS: confirm the specific OBC / SB-12 R-value packages you want published for Simcoe County
Can I just add new batts on top of the old ones?
In an attic, sometimes — if what is there is dry, clean and uncontaminated. If it is compressed, mouse-damaged, wet or full of debris, adding more just buries the problem. We will tell you which one you are looking at, and we do vacuum removal when it needs to come out.
Do batts need a vapour barrier?
In most Ontario assemblies, yes — and the detailing matters as much as the barrier itself. Poly that is torn, unsealed at the seams or missing at the top plates is a leak path for warm, humid air, which is how condensation and mould problems start inside a wall.
Will batts help with noise between rooms?
Yes, especially mineral wool. Insulating interior partitions and the floor system is the least expensive comfort upgrade there is, and it is much easier to do during construction than after.
Do you install batts in existing homes?
Yes — anywhere the framing is open or can be opened, including basement renovations, additions, garage conversions and attic floors. If the walls are finished and staying that way, blown-in drill-and-fill is usually the better route.
Other services
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Get a free, no-obligation quote
Tell us what the building is doing and we will come out, get into the space and give you a straight answer in writing.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Straight answers on what your home actually needs
- Licensed, insured and certified applicators