All About The Insulation Materials
Insulation materials from bulky fiber materials like fiberglass, rock wool, cellulose, fibers, rigid foam boards to sleek foils, and everything in between and beyond. These are the few most commonly used:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass consists of incredibly fine glass fibers. Glass fibers are one of the most omnipresent insulation materials in the market these days. It comes in two different varieties- blanket (batts and rolls) insulation and loose-fill insulation. It is also available in the form of rigid boards and duct insulation.
A medium- and high-density fiberglass batt insulation with higher R-values are also available in the market- they are denser and are used for insulating limited cavity areas like the ceilings of cathedrals.
High-density fiberglass batts have an R-15 value, compared to their low-density counterparts that have an R-Value of R-11. A medium-density batt with an R-value of R-13 is also available.
Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is made of molten glass, spun or blown into fibers. Most of them contain 40% to 60% recycled glass. Loose-fill insulation has to be applied using special equipment -an insulation blowing machine and requires the expertise of one of the professional Glendale insulation contractors. This type is most commonly used for attic spaces, attic floors, and wall cavities.
One other variation of fiberglass loose-fill insulation is the Blow-In-Blanket System (BIBS). It has been observed that BIBS systems are significantly better than batts insulation.
Mineral Wool Insulation Materials
There are primarily two types of mineral wool insulations available- rock wool and slag wool. Rock wool is a man-made material containing elements like basalt or database. While Slag wool is man-made from blast furnace slag that is the waste matter that coats the surface of molten metal.
Mineral wool is made of 75% of recycled materials and is naturally fire-resistant. They are readily available as batts, rolls, and loose-fill insulation.
Cellulose Insulation Material
Cellulose is made of recycled paper products, mostly newsprint. It is high in recycled materials, around 82% to 85%. They are combined with materials like borate and ammonium sulfate, to make them fire and pest resistant.
Cellulose requires no moisture control and, when installed at proper densities, can last forever. Proper installation plays a key role in it is functional efficiency. Thus, it is best to get professional help from an insulation company in Glendale for installation. Being highly versatile, it is suitable for both new and existing homes alike. In new constructions, cellulose is either installed dry behind netting or is damp-sprayed. Damp-sprayed cellulose is normally ready for wall covering within 24 hours of installation.
Natural Fiber Insulation Materials
These are cotton, sheep’s wool, straw, and hemp. Hemp is new in the picture but with its industrial legalization, it’s gaining fame.
Cotton: It is a combination of 85% recycled cotton and 15% plastic fibers treated with borate to make it fireproof and pest resistant.
Cotton insulation is available only in the form of batts. It is 15% to 20% more than fiberglass batt insulation.
Sheep’s Wool: Sheep’s wool is also treated with borate to make it pests, fire, and mold resistant.
Hemp: Hemp insulation is relatively unfamiliar and not commonly used in the United States due to it’s a certain legal status. Its R-value is similar to other fibrous insulation types and is slowly making its way into the conventional markets.
