HELPFUL INFO
Important things you should know about insulation & insulation products.
About Insulation:
Insulation comes in many types and forms. The following insulation materials are commonly used in specific areas of a residence:
'Batt' or Blanket -
Generally made of rock wool or fiberglass. These 'batts' are available with or without an attached vapor barrier and are used above ceilings, between wall studs and on the underside of floors.
Blow In -
Made from rock wool, glass fiber, cellulose fiber and urethanes. These are blown into place or spray applied by special equipment. They can be used where the frame is covered on both sides, such as side walls, and in unfinished attic floors and hard-to-reach places.
They also can be used in new home construction, using containment sheeting over wall cavities to hold insulation material in place. Walls can be finished later using standard method.
Reflective Insulation -
Made of aluminum foil, these reflective sheet metal systems and paper products coated with a reflective material can be used to insulate walls and floors. Usually these are more effective at reducing heat gain during the cooling season, where summer comfort conditioning is a problem.
Cellulose Insulation -
Cellulose insulation is made of paper products, principally old newspapers, which are naturally flammable. Cellulose insulation must be chemically treated in order to reduce its flammability. However, the chemical treatment does not make the insulation 'non-combustible' or smolder resistant.
What about Spray Foam?
From residential to commercial grade buildings, spray foam is an environmentally friendly and non-toxic material that has increased in popularity for its ease of use and long range cost savings. Spray foam is applied as a liquid and expands upon a chemical reaction which forms the foam to fill in areas that would be difficult with conventionally laid fiber insulation. With spray foam insulation, your building or home is sealed and protected from wind, dust, pollen or other airborne pollutants and even exterior sound.
Spray foam is simple to install and particularly effective at lowering heating and cooling costs over the life of your structure.
Net & Blow Product -
A product where we hang a mesh netting over the wall and loose fill fiberglass is blown in behind the netting to achieve a higher R Factor. This product allows the insulation to be custom fit to each wall cavity
About Insulation:
Insulation comes in many types and forms. The following insulation materials are commonly used in specific areas of a residence:
'Batt' or Blanket -
Generally made of rock wool or fiberglass. These 'batts' are available with or without an attached vapor barrier and are used above ceilings, between wall studs and on the underside of floors.
Blow In -
Made from rock wool, glass fiber, cellulose fiber and urethanes. These are blown into place or spray applied by special equipment. They can be used where the frame is covered on both sides, such as side walls, and in unfinished attic floors and hard-to-reach places.
They also can be used in new home construction, using containment sheeting over wall cavities to hold insulation material in place. Walls can be finished later using standard method.
Reflective Insulation -
Made of aluminum foil, these reflective sheet metal systems and paper products coated with a reflective material can be used to insulate walls and floors. Usually these are more effective at reducing heat gain during the cooling season, where summer comfort conditioning is a problem.
Cellulose Insulation -
Cellulose insulation is made of paper products, principally old newspapers, which are naturally flammable. Cellulose insulation must be chemically treated in order to reduce its flammability. However, the chemical treatment does not make the insulation 'non-combustible' or smolder resistant.
What about Spray Foam?
From residential to commercial grade buildings, spray foam is an environmentally friendly and non-toxic material that has increased in popularity for its ease of use and long range cost savings. Spray foam is applied as a liquid and expands upon a chemical reaction which forms the foam to fill in areas that would be difficult with conventionally laid fiber insulation. With spray foam insulation, your building or home is sealed and protected from wind, dust, pollen or other airborne pollutants and even exterior sound.
Spray foam is simple to install and particularly effective at lowering heating and cooling costs over the life of your structure.
Net & Blow Product -
A product where we hang a mesh netting over the wall and loose fill fiberglass is blown in behind the netting to achieve a higher R Factor. This product allows the insulation to be custom fit to each wall cavity
Insulation Material Comparison Summary:
Fiber Glass vs Cellulose
Thermal Resistance:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Variety of R-values available in batts, and loose-fill. Stable over time.
Cellulose Insulation: Higher loose-fill R/inch (for tight spaces). R can deteriorate from settling/shrinkage.
Ease of Installation:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Batts install fast, except careful cutting, fitting required in irregular spaces. Loose-fill requires equipment and skilled installer.
Cellulose Insulation: Equipment maintenance and skilled installer required. Voids unlikely with careful installer. Cleanup takes time.
Moisture:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Installed dry. Low moisture adsorption.
Cellulose Insulation: Often installed damp. Should be allowed to dry. Absorbs moisture which lowers R-value and may promote fungal growth.
Air Flow:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Filled cavities restrict air circulation. (Infiltration controlled by other measures)
Cellulose Insulation: Likely has higher air flow resistance depending on installation. (doesn't effect home's main leakage points)
Attic Convection:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Batts not susceptible. Loose-fill slightly impacted in some climates. (Example: $3.92/1500 sq.ft. attic effect in Denver, Colorado)
Cellulose Insulation: Not susceptible at traditional densities.
Corrosion:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Non-corrosive
Cellulose Insulation: Corrosion a concern with retained moisture and some fire retardants.
Fire Resistance:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Non-combustible, low flame spread
Cellulose Insulation: Combustible. Fire retardant treatment may not be consistent. Smoldering and re-kindling of fires reported.
Environmental Benefits:
Fiber Glass Insulation: 25% recycled glass, and light weight so relatively fewer resources consumed. Energy savings is big environmental plus.
Cellulose Insulation: 80% recycled paper but 20% virgin chemicals. More resources consumed. Energy savings is big environmental plus.
Health Impacts:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Skin/respiratory irritation possible. Long-term effects have been extensively studied and safe practices defined.
Cellulose Insulation: Allergic effects possible from inks, dust, chemicals. Long-term effects never researched but questions persist.
Thermal Resistance:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Variety of R-values available in batts, and loose-fill. Stable over time.
Cellulose Insulation: Higher loose-fill R/inch (for tight spaces). R can deteriorate from settling/shrinkage.
Ease of Installation:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Batts install fast, except careful cutting, fitting required in irregular spaces. Loose-fill requires equipment and skilled installer.
Cellulose Insulation: Equipment maintenance and skilled installer required. Voids unlikely with careful installer. Cleanup takes time.
Moisture:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Installed dry. Low moisture adsorption.
Cellulose Insulation: Often installed damp. Should be allowed to dry. Absorbs moisture which lowers R-value and may promote fungal growth.
Air Flow:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Filled cavities restrict air circulation. (Infiltration controlled by other measures)
Cellulose Insulation: Likely has higher air flow resistance depending on installation. (doesn't effect home's main leakage points)
Attic Convection:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Batts not susceptible. Loose-fill slightly impacted in some climates. (Example: $3.92/1500 sq.ft. attic effect in Denver, Colorado)
Cellulose Insulation: Not susceptible at traditional densities.
Corrosion:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Non-corrosive
Cellulose Insulation: Corrosion a concern with retained moisture and some fire retardants.
Fire Resistance:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Non-combustible, low flame spread
Cellulose Insulation: Combustible. Fire retardant treatment may not be consistent. Smoldering and re-kindling of fires reported.
Environmental Benefits:
Fiber Glass Insulation: 25% recycled glass, and light weight so relatively fewer resources consumed. Energy savings is big environmental plus.
Cellulose Insulation: 80% recycled paper but 20% virgin chemicals. More resources consumed. Energy savings is big environmental plus.
Health Impacts:
Fiber Glass Insulation: Skin/respiratory irritation possible. Long-term effects have been extensively studied and safe practices defined.
Cellulose Insulation: Allergic effects possible from inks, dust, chemicals. Long-term effects never researched but questions persist.
