Whether you're having a new home built from scratch or you
plan to beef up your home's existing insulation, it pays to understand how
different types of insulating materials work and when you might choose one over
the other. Take a look at five common insulating materials and their respective
properties.
1. Fiberglass Insulation
When you think of home insulation, you may automatically
think of large swaths of pink material resembling cotton candy. This material,
fiberglass insulation, has found its way into countless home and commercial
construction projects. It offers both acoustic and thermal insulation at a
lower cost than other insulation options.
Pre-cut batts or cut-to-fit rolls of fiberglass insulation
allow installers to cover large areas of walls and attics in a relatively short
time. Your installer may also make use of blown-in fiberglass insulation. This
technique blows loose-fill fiberglass into small gaps or hard-to-reach horizontal
spaces, minimizing any thermal leakage.
2. Mineral Wool Insulation
Insulation batts, rolls, and blown-in products don't always
contain fiberglass. Depending on your budget and your specific insulating
needs, your installer may recommend an alternative known as mineral wool or
rockwool. While fiberglass consists of spun glass, mineral wool consists of
spun volcanic rock called basalt.
Mineral wool costs slightly more than fiberglass, but it
offers some interesting features that might make it preferable for your
project. In addition to its exceptional ability to block sound, it also melts
at 3,000
degrees Fahrenheit
as opposed to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for fiberglass,
thus offering superior fire protection.
3. Loose-Fill Foam and Cellulose Insulation
You can also insulate a home, or enhance that home's
existing insulation, by adding layers of either polyurethane plastic foam or
loose-fill cellulose insulation. You can blow either of these products into
small spaces or over your current insulation panels, where they simply harden
into place as an extra thermal barrier.
Your polyurethane foam's R-value (a measure of thermal
resistance) will depend on your choice of open-cell or closed-cell foam.
Open-cell foam allows more heat and moisture to pass through it than the denser
closed-cell foam. Your contractor can help you determine which type of product
makes more sense for your project.
Loose-fill cellulose insulation consists of organic material
ranging from recycled newspaper to fragments of cotton jeans, mixed with a
chemical adhesive. It makes an attractive alternative to plastic foam for
homeowners who wish to make greater use of sustainable materials.
Cellulose's R-value comes close to that of polyurethane.
Both of these materials can also help reduce noise transmission and dampen
vibrations.
4. Foam Board Insulation
Insulation also comes in the form of rigid foam board
panels. Foam board resists water so well that installers often use it to
insulate areas vulnerable to moisture infiltration, including foundations and
basements.
Foam board comes in different formulations, each with its
own range of insulating power. The most affordable version, expanded polystyrene,
also has the lowest R-value. Installers usually use boards made of extruded
polystyrene for most applications. Areas requiring the highest R-values receive
thick layers of polyiso board.
5. Radiant Barrier Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation works somewhat differently than
other forms of insulation. Instead of reducing the flow of heat from one area
to another, it focuses on reducing the heat gain by reflecting the thermal
energy away from the protected surface. It does this with the aid of a shiny
metallic coating.
Radiant barrier materials typically feature a base layer of
plastic film, cardboard, or paper topped with aluminum foil. Polyiso foam board
can also sport an outer layer of aluminum foil, adding heat gain reduction to
the board's other insulating properties. Hot attics can benefit greatly from
radiant barrier insulation.
Mikro Corporation can provide the ideal insulating materials
for a wide range of home construction and remodeling projects. Take advantage
of your expertise by reaching out to us today and requesting a quote.
