Perth Insulation slows heat flow into and out of your home, lowering heating and cooling costs. Many types of insulation are available, and the best type for your project will depend on the climate where you live, the installation area, and whether you want to DIY or hire a contractor.
Fiberglass is one of the most common forms of insulation and is a popular choice for do-it-yourselfers and professional installers. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to spray foam and cellulose, and it is an excellent option for new homes or retrofits in older buildings. It is often used with more modern insulation materials to increase the R-value of the house or building.
Fiberglass insulation is a composite material composed of a plastic matrix reinforced by tiny glass fibers. It is very lightweight yet strong and resists conductive heat transfer quite well. Fiberglass can save you energy by limiting air movement inside your structure, limiting the amount of heated or cooled air that escapes the home.
While fiberglass is one of the most common types of insulation, it has its problems. The biggest issue is that it can contain microscopic particles of glass (between 40-60% of those fibers are made from recycled glass) which, if inhaled, can cause irritation and even lead to “fiberglass lung.” This is why it is always important to wear proper safety equipment when working with fiberglass, including gloves, long sleeves, a mask, and protective eyewear.
Another problem with fiberglass is that it does not repel moisture very well, which could create a breeding ground for mold and other contaminants. This can deteriorate the insulation and cause problems throughout the building envelope. It’s also not as dense as some of today’s preferred insulating materials, which can negatively impact the R-Value of the home.
If you do choose to install fiberglass, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use a trusted installer like Pure Eco Inc. Measure twice, cut once, and seal any gaps or cracks to minimize waste and maximize the performance of your insulation. Additionally, if you do decide to DIY, make sure that you wear appropriate protective gear and take steps to avoid inhaling fiberglass dust during the installation process. It’s also a good idea to use caulking around the seams and penetration points of your insulation. This will help to reduce the likelihood of a leak, which can diminish the R-value of your insulation.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products that have been treated with fire-retardant chemicals. It is a high-performance insulating material that keeps homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Cellulose is a staple of green building and is one of the most environmentally friendly types of insulation available today. It has a higher recycled content than other insulation materials, such as fiberglass, and it uses less energy to manufacture. This makes cellulose an excellent choice for energy-efficient attics.
The most significant environmental benefit of cellulose insulation is that it uses up to 85% recycled materials, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. It is also a component of the circular economy, a business model that aims to reduce raw material extraction and encourage natural ecosystems’ regeneration.
Another advantage of cellulose is its ability to resist airflow, which can account for up to 40 percent of your home’s energy loss. This is because it fills the gaps and cracks that can allow cold or hot air to leak into your home. Despite this air-blocking ability, cellulose does have a tendency to settle and compress over time, which can reduce its R-value.
It’s also important to understand that R-value does not tell the whole story about how effective a product is. While the R-value is a good measure of a material’s thermal resistance, other factors, such as air leakage and convection, also play a role in how much heat your home loses.
When comparing different types of insulation, it is crucial to take into consideration the R-values of the entire house, not just the attic or walls. This is because the way a product performs in the attic, for example, can be completely different than how it will perform in the walls and floors.
For new construction, cellulose can be blown as loose-fill insulation into attic cavities, dense packed into walls, or damp-sprayed behind netting in stud cavities. It is a low-dust insulation, making it easy to install around obstacles like framing joists or recessed lights. It is treated with a blend of non-hazardous chemicals, such as boric acid, ammonium sulfate, and borax, that act as flame retardants and help to prevent pests and mold growth.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool insulation is made from a variety of natural, renewable or recycled materials. One example is steel and iron ore slag, which is melted at high temperatures and spun into insulation. Other raw materials include stone, glass, and cellulose. The insulation is a non-flammable material that resists moisture and does not promote the growth of mold, fungus or insects. It is also a good option for building owners who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
Like fiberglass, mineral wool is available in a wide range of R-values per inch. It also provides fire protection, and it retains its insulating value for the lifetime of the product. It is also a more sustainable option because it contains 20-37% more recycled material than fiberglass. In addition, it is much less expensive than cellulose insulation in the same R-value range.
This type of insulation is also less dense than fiberglass, which makes it easier to cut and fit into oddly shaped spaces for greater thermal efficiency. It is also a more effective sound barrier than fiberglass, and it has the potential to meet R-values up to R-15 with a thickness of only 3.5 inches.
The major downside of this type of insulation is that it can shed tiny fibers during installation, which can be a respiratory irritant. However, it can be avoided by using a quality dust mask and following proper installation procedures. Unlike fiberglass, mineral wool doesn’t contain any asbestos, so it is considered safer for those with allergies or asthma.
Another downside is that the binders used to glue the mineral wool together can release formaldehyde, which can be a health concern. But, the processing drives off most of the free formaldehyde, and the levels that remain are low enough to be deemed safe. The mineral wool insulation industry has been working to find other binding agents that are less harmful.
Man-Made Materials
When natural materials aren’t enough, man-made materials are used to insulate buildings. Man-made insulation comes in various forms and can be made of synthetic, natural or recycled materials. It is important to understand the difference between natural and man-made material before deciding on an insulation type for your home or commercial building.
Fiberglass is the most common man-made material used to insulate homes and buildings. The material consists of tiny glass fibers, which provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. It is also fire resistant and offers good water resistance and abrasion resistance. However, the material can release fiberglass dust into the air if it is disturbed or damaged, and it can cause respiratory problems in people who are sensitive to the substance.
In addition to fiberglass, other man-made materials can be used for insulation. Mineral wool insulation is made of rock wool or slag wool, which are both man-made products consisting of mineral fibers. It has an average of 75% post-industrial recycled content and does not require additional chemicals to make it fire resistant. It can be purchased as a blanket (batts and rolls) or loose-fill insulation.
Cellulose is a popular and eco-friendly choice for insulation. It is made from recycled newspaper and cardboard and can divert hundreds of tons of paper waste from landfills each year. The material does not contain any formaldehyde or asbestos and is relatively inexpensive compared to fiberglass. It is lightweight and effective for noise reduction, but it must be kept dry to prevent gaps in the wall cavity.
Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are another type of man-made material that can be used for insulation. These panels are built with plywood, oriented strand board or drywall glued and sandwiched around cores of expanded polystyrene or a combination of these materials. These panels can be used for the walls, floors and roof of a building.
Scientists have recently managed to create some creative man-made products. One example is titanium foam, which is incredibly light and strong. Researchers have also discovered how to make artificial spider silk, a material that has a wide variety of uses.