Author: Jingwei Chen

If you live in a place that gets very cold in winter, you probably notice the difference between a thick jacket with good lining and one without any lining at all. That lining is a lot like the insulation in buildings that helps to keep the cold and heat from getting inside. Insulation installers help keep people comfortable by controlling the hot and cold air that can come into buildings.

People use many different types of materials to insulate jackets, such as the fluffy down from birds, cotton, or special kinds of fabric. The same is true of building insulation. Between the inner and outer walls of buildings, people might put foam, foil, or all kinds of other materials that help insulate buildings from the cold and also from noise, moisture, and anything else that could get into the building.

Most insulation goes for the outer walls to help keep the cold or the heat out. However, some of it might go between the floors and rooms of apartment buildings to help prevent noise from coming through. Insulation installers need to know how to use the different kinds of materials that work for various purposes so that they can use the best kind and find the best places to put it. Sometimes, they also need to be able to make the insulation themselves, although they might be able to buy it from a factory.

If you want to become an insulation installer, the first step is to finish high school. No other formal education is necessary for most jobs, but an apprenticeship is a common way of learning about the business. Basic mathematical skills are useful for calculating amounts and measuring spaces inside walls. In some areas of Canada, a license or registration might also be necessary.

Wages in this trade vary according to experience and location. However, they generally range between $15 and $30 per hour, not including benefits such as dental insurance and holiday pay. Apprentices earn about sixty percent of that amount when they first start out. By the end of their apprenticeship, they usually reach the same rate that other insulation installers receive.

People who install insulation can work in many different locations, such as schools, government buildings, homes, and hospitals. They might work inside or spend time outside in the cold or heat. Installers sometimes work in very small spaces or on top of buildings. People in this job need a lot of strength to be able to lift and carry heavy weights, possibly up or down stairs. Being able to organize deliveries of materials and to arrange other details can also be important, especially for people who work on their own.

Do you think that you have the skills and interest to become an insulation installer? For people who enjoy working with their hands and helping with building construction, the job of insulation installer could be ideal.

Bibliography:

Career Centre.org. “Building Insulation Installer.” http://careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/occupations/Pages/building-insulation-installer.aspx.

Careers.org. “Career Occupational Profile for: Insulation Installer.” http://www.careers.org/occupations/25061/insulation-installer.

Heat and Frost Insulators.ca. “FAQ.” http://www.heatandfrostinsulators.ca/faq.

Helmets to Hardhats.ca. “International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers.” http://helmetstohardhats.ca/en/insulators.htm

Neuvoo.ca. “Insulation Installer Jobs | Canada | neuvoo.” http://neuvoo.ca/jobs/insulation-installer/.

Salary.com. “Insulation Worker Salaries.” http://www1.salary.com/Insulation-Worker-salary.html.