Quick answer: Many Ajax homes, especially the older houses in south Ajax and around Pickering Village, have far less attic insulation than today’s new-home target of about R-60. Pro Home Insulation tops up or replaces attic insulation across Ajax, and if your attic is R-12 or less, the Home Renovation Savings Program currently offers up to $1,250 back for upgrading to at least R-50. Amounts can change and the program is first-come, first-served.
Updated November 2026
On this page
- Why Ajax attics are often under-insulated
- 6 signs your Ajax attic needs attention
- How to check your attic safely
- What the attic rebate looks like for Ajax homes
- Key numbers for older homes
- Top-up or full removal?
- Our process in Ajax
- Ajax homeowner checklist
- Example project (illustrative)
- Neighbourhoods we serve in Ajax
- Questions to ask any Ajax insulation contractor
- Frequently asked questions
- Get a free attic assessment
Why Ajax attics are often under-insulated
Ajax grew quickly during the Second World War, when housing was built for workers at the Defence Industries Limited munitions plant. Many of those small storey-and-a-half and bungalow homes south of Highway 401 still stand today. Later waves of building filled in central Ajax, and the north end added newer subdivisions.
That mix means attics in one Ajax street can look nothing like the next.
6 signs your Ajax attic needs attention
- Upstairs rooms swing hot and cold. Low, tight attics in wartime-era homes leave little room for insulation, so top floors feel it first.
- You can see the tops of the ceiling joists. If the insulation sits below the joist tops, you likely have well under R-50.
- Icicles and ice dams along the eaves. Warm air leaking into the attic melts snow, which then refreezes at the colder roof edge.
- Granular, grey-brown fill. Loose, pebble-like insulation in an older home may be vermiculite. Do not disturb it until it is tested.
- Droppings, tunnels or flattened patches. Raccoons and squirrels are common in mature-tree streets near the lake and creeks.
- High heating costs without an obvious cause. Air leaks and thin insulation often work together.
For a fuller list, see our guide to signs your attic needs insulation.
How to check your attic safely
Use a flashlight and look from the hatch. Do not step between joists or reach into the insulation. Measure the depth with a ruler if you can do it from the hatch, and take a photo. If you see vermiculite, stop and close the hatch.
What the attic rebate looks like for Ajax homes
Ajax homes heated with Enbridge natural gas or with electricity, oil, propane or wood on the IESO grid can use the standalone attic path. The rebate is 50% of the after-tax insulation cost, up to the tier maximum.
| Attic before upgrade | Upgrade to at least | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|---|
| R-12 or less | R-50 | $1,250 |
| Above R-12 to R-25 | R-50 | $1,000 |
| Above R-25 to R-35 | R-50 | $800 |
| Cathedral/flat roof, R-25 or less | R-28 | $750 |
| Cathedral/flat roof, R-12 or less | R-20 | $650 |
Full details are on our Ontario attic insulation rebate page, and all current programs are on our rebates hub.
Key numbers for older homes
- Air leakage makes up about 20–30% of heat lost from an older home (Natural Resources Canada).
- New Ontario homes target about R-60 in attic ceilings (Ontario Building Code, SB-12).
- Nearly 1.2 million Ontario residential properties were built in 1960 or earlier (Statistics Canada).
- One small air leak can let in 100 times more moisture than diffusion through the same area (Natural Resources Canada).
Top-up or full removal?
| Situation | Usual approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clean, dry insulation, just thin | Top-up with blown insulation | Fastest and simplest |
| Animal droppings or soiled insulation | Insulation removal and sanitation, then new insulation | Removes odour and contamination |
| Suspected vermiculite | Testing first, then vermiculite removal by qualified professionals if needed | Follows Health Canada advice |
| Lots of air leaks at lights and the hatch | Air sealing before insulating | Insulation alone does not stop air |
Our process in Ajax
- Free assessment. We check depth, condition, ventilation and air leaks.
- Clear quote. You get the starting R-value, target R-value and likely rebate tier in writing.
- Prep and air sealing. We seal gaps around pot lights, pipes and the hatch.
- Install. We blow in insulation to at least R-50 and baffle the eaves.
- Paperwork. As a participating contractor, we help with the rebate submission.
Ajax homeowner checklist
- Note your heating fuel (Enbridge gas, electric, oil, propane or wood)
- Take a photo of your attic from the hatch
- Check for signs of animals or vermiculite
- Confirm you own the home
- Ask whether your home already got an attic rebate
Example project (illustrative)
example — not a specific customer.
A 1940s storey-and-a-half home in south Ajax has about R-10 in its main attic.
- Upgrade: R-10 to R-50
- After-tax insulation cost: $2,800
- 50% of cost: $1,400
- Tier maximum (R-12 or less): $1,250, so the rebate is $1,250
- Net cost after rebate: $2,800 − $1,250 = $1,550
- Heat flow through the insulation layer (simplified): 1 − 10/50 = about 80% less
Neighbourhoods we serve in Ajax
- Pickering Village
- South Ajax (lakeside)
- Southwest Ajax
- Central Ajax
- Central West
- Central East
- Northwest Ajax
- Northeast Ajax
- Nottingham
- Riverside
- Applecroft
We also work in nearby Pickering and Whitby.
Questions to ask any Ajax insulation contractor
| Question | Good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Are you a participating contractor for the rebate? | Yes, and we help with the paperwork |
| What R-value will I end up with? | A specific number, at least R-50 |
| Will you air seal first? | Yes, at lights, pipes and the hatch |
| How will you protect eave vents? | Baffles at each rafter bay |
| What if you find animals or vermiculite? | We stop, explain options and re-quote |
Frequently asked questions
How much does attic insulation cost in Ajax?
It depends on attic size, the starting R-value and whether old insulation must come out. A simple top-up costs much less than removal and replacement. We give a written quote after a free assessment.
Can my Ajax home get the attic rebate?
If you own the home and heat with Enbridge gas or with electricity, oil, propane or wood on the IESO grid, you may qualify. Your attic must start at R-35 or less and be upgraded to at least R-50. Amounts can change, so check our rebates page.
My wartime house has a very low attic. Can it still be insulated?
Often, yes. Blown insulation can reach tight spaces near the eaves, and we use baffles to keep vents open. Some sections may need a different approach, which we explain in the quote.
What if I find vermiculite in my attic?
Leave it alone and keep children out of the attic. Health Canada advises having it tested by qualified professionals. We can arrange the next steps.
How long does the rebate take to arrive?
The rebate cheque typically arrives within a few months after the submission is approved.
Get a free attic assessment
Find out what is in your Ajax attic and which rebate tier you may fit. Pro Home Insulation brings more than 10 years of experience to every job. Call (647) 250-0606 or Book online.