Alberta’s Wall Insulation Experts — Fiberglass Batt & Roxul for Every Project Type
Wall insulation is where IDEAL truly differentiates itself from smaller contractors. We install both fiberglass batt and poly and Roxul (Rockwool) batt, using products from Johns Manville, Owens Corning, and Rockwool and we have the project volume and experience to know exactly when each product is the right call. The difference between the two matters: fiberglass is the cost-effective standard for most residential applications, while Roxul delivers meaningfully better fire resistance, sound absorption, and moisture tolerance for projects where those properties are required.
Our wall insulation work spans the full range of Alberta construction, custom single-family homes, infill projects, large-scale multi-family apartment and condo developments, and commercial builds. Through our established network of drywall contractor partners, IDEAL crews are insulating dozens of Calgary’s and Edmonton’s multi-family units every single day. We can quote directly from architectural plans for budgetary pricing, or conduct a site measure for detailed final pricing. Either way, you’ll know what the job costs before we start.
For homeowners undertaking renovations, we offer the same product range and the same standard of installation as our largest commercial projects. Whether you’re finishing a basement, insulating an addition, or replacing failed batt insulation in an older home, our team will assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate solution.
Why Choose IDEAL for Spray Foam Insulation?
Most insulation companies install one batt product. IDEAL installs two — and has the experience across thousands of projects to know when each one is the right call. That product knowledge, combined with the scheduling reliability that large developers require and the care that homeowners expect, is what has kept us as a go-to wall insulation contractor in Calgary and Edmonton for over 44 years.
Wall Insulation Products & Applications — Fiberglass Batt vs. Roxul
Not all batt insulation performs the same way in every application. Here’s how our two core wall insulation products compare, and where each one fits best.
Fiberglass Batt & Poly — The Industry Standard
Fiberglass batt insulation is the most widely used wall insulation product in Canadian residential construction — and for good reason. Pre-cut panels fit precisely between studs, delivering reliable R-values at a cost-effective price point. When paired with a properly installed and sealed 6-mil polyethylene vapour barrier, it creates the thermal and moisture protection your walls need for Alberta’s climate.
The quality of the poly installation is just as important as the batt itself. Every plug, fixture, pot light, and penetration must be sealed. Gaps in the vapour barrier are the most common cause of moisture problems and thermal bridging in residential walls — and they’re invisible once drywall goes up. Our crews know this, and they install accordingly.
Best applications:
Roxul (Rockwool) Batt — For Fire, Sound & Moisture Performance
Roxul, now marketed as Rockwool, is a mineral fibre batt product derived from volcanic rock. It’s heavier and denser than fiberglass, giving it three key advantages: superior fire resistance (it’s non-combustible and won’t melt or drip in a fire), excellent sound absorption, and inherent resistance to moisture. Unlike fiberglass, it doesn’t need to be kept dry during installation, making it well-suited for any application where moisture exposure is a factor.
We specify Roxul where sound separation between units is a primary concern — multi-family demising walls and party walls in particular — and for applications where fire performance requirements exceed what fiberglass can deliver. It’s also the preferred product for basement walls, around mechanical rooms, and in commercial applications with specific fire code requirements.
Best applications:
Is Your Wall Insulation Doing Its Job?
Wall insulation problems are harder to detect than attic issues because the symptoms can look like other things. If any of the following describe your home, your walls may be part of the problem:
Wall & Batt Insulation — What to Expect
Inspections & Assessments
For renovation and retrofit projects, our estimator will assess your walls to understand what’s currently in place, what the framing situation looks like, and which product best suits your goals and budget. For new construction, we can work from architectural plans to provide budgetary pricing early in the process, or complete a site measure for detailed final pricing once framing is complete. Either way, you’ll have a clear written quote before we start.
For renovation projects, our team also checks for:
Installation Process
For large multi-family and commercial projects, we assign dedicated project coordinators to manage scheduling, sequencing, and quality across multiple units and phases. Builders working with us for the first time consistently tell us our operational reliability is the differentiator — we show up when we say we will and we finish on time.
WE DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW GOOD WE ARE, OUR CUSTOMERS DO THAT FOR US.
“We’ve used IDEAL on multiple multi-family projects over the past several years. Their ability to quote from plans, hit our schedule, and maintain consistent quality across 80+ units at a time is exactly what we need from a trade partner. The insulation is always done right, the site is always clean, and they communicate proactively when there’s anything we need to know. That’s rare.”
James R., Project Manager
Google Review — Multi-Family Wall Insulation, Calgary
“We had IDEAL insulate the walls and ceilings of our basement development. The estimator was knowledgeable and upfront about the Roxul recommendation for the theatre room — the sound difference compared to our main floor is remarkable. Professional crew, clean job, and the quote matched the invoice exactly. Would absolutely use them again.”
Sandra & Mike L.
Google Review — Basement Development Wall Insulation, Edmonton
“IDEAL insulated our custom home build — walls and attic. Every subcontractor we used on this build told us the IDEAL crew was the best trade on the site. They showed up exactly when the framers finished, worked around our electrical and HVAC without issue, and left the place spotless. Highly recommend for any builder looking for a reliable insulation partner.”
Thomas B., Custom Home Builder
Google Review — New Construction Wall & Attic Insulation, Calgary
Attic Insulation — Frequently Asked Questions
Fiberglass batt is the standard pre-cut panel product used in the vast majority of Alberta residential construction — cost-effective, reliable, and widely available. Roxul (Rockwool) is a mineral fibre batt made from volcanic rock that offers significantly better fire resistance, sound absorption, and moisture tolerance. Fiberglass is the right call for most standard applications; Roxul is specified where fire performance, acoustic separation, or moisture resistance is a priority — demising walls in multi-family buildings, basement walls, mechanical rooms, and similar applications. We install both and will recommend the right product for your project.
Alberta’s current building code requires a minimum of R-20 for exterior walls in our climate zone. A standard 2×6 framed wall with fiberglass or Roxul batt achieves R-20 to R-24, depending on the product. For 2×4 framed walls, fiberglass batt delivers R-13 to R-15, which does not meet current code for exterior walls on its own — additional continuous insulation is typically required. We’ll advise on code compliance during your estimate.
Extremely important — arguably as important as the insulation itself. A properly installed 6-mil poly vapour barrier, sealed at every electrical box, plumbing penetration, pot light, and wall plate, is what prevents warm interior air from reaching cold exterior surfaces and condensing inside the wall. Gaps in the vapour barrier are the most common cause of wall moisture problems and are completely invisible once drywall goes up. Our crews install and seal poly to current building code standards on every job.
Yes. For new construction and larger development projects, we can provide budgetary pricing directly from architectural plans — useful for early-stage project costing. For final detailed pricing, we prefer a site measure once framing is complete. Both options are available and we’ll discuss what’s most useful for your project timeline.
In most cases, retrofitting insulation into existing closed walls requires drywall removal to do it properly. If walls are being opened for renovation, electrical, or plumbing work, that’s the right time to insulate. For basement developments and additions where walls are already open, our standard batt and poly installation applies. If you’re unsure what’s in your walls, our estimator can advise during the assessment.
Yes — both are core parts of our business. For new construction, we work closely with builders and developers through our drywall contractor network, quoting from plans and coordinating with your construction schedule. For renovation projects, we work directly with homeowners, assessing existing conditions and recommending the right product for the space. The same standard of installation applies to both.
Yes. IDEAL is an approved contractor under the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). Eligible Alberta homeowners can finance wall insulation upgrades at competitive rates, with repayment through their property tax bill. This is particularly relevant for renovation projects where upgrading wall insulation is part of a broader energy efficiency improvement. Ask us about eligibility when you call.