Insulation reduces energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases and sulfur dioxide. Furthermore, insulation protects against moisture damage while making for a quieter home environment.
Some insulation materials can be installed yourself, while others (such as blankets and spray-in foam insulation) require professional installation. Most types have R-Values to indicate effectiveness; some types may even prove more efficient than others.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation has long been an economical choice for builders and homeowners. Available as batts or rolls or loose fill material, fiberglass is one of the cost-effective types of insulation available to protect walls, floors, attics and crawlspaces.
Plastic foam insulation is inherently noncombustible, eliminating the need for chemical treatments that would otherwise provide fire-retardancy properties. Furthermore, its sound-absorbing properties help significantly reduce noise transmission through walls or ceiling assemblies.
Insulation made of wood fiber does not retain moisture like other insulation materials do, yet is susceptible to condensation and rot, potentially diminishing R-Value performance and nullifying warranties coverage. Moisture damage can reduce performance as well as nullify warranty coverage.
Cellulose
Insulation made from recycled paper products such as newspapers or waste paper is often installed before drywall installation in new construction homes.
Paper insulation is made by shredding paper and adding chemicals such as boric acid to prevent fires, mold growth and insects. Additionally, its R-value per inch surpasses that of common insulation materials like fiberglass or polystyrene foams.
Cellulose insulation can be installed using various methods: blowing, stapleing or nailing it in place. Cellulose fits neatly around ductwork and electrical wires while sealing walls from air infiltration. Studies have also demonstrated that cellulose provides better fire damage protection than fiberglass by restricting oxygen flow to structural members and inhibiting combustion, with reduced embodied energy costs as an added advantage.
Foam
Foam insulation products boast higher R-values than fiberglass batts, enabling them to block outside noise, seal air leaks and prevent moisture damage. In addition, some are fire retardant/retardant/chemical-resistant or antibacterial.
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation offers the highest R-value among all insulation options, produced by mixing two quick-reacting liquids that expand rapidly to fill gaps and seal structures. Closed cell spray foam features dense cells while open-cell forms have less dense cells with a more porous texture resembling spongelike cells.
Loose-fill or blown-in insulation typically comprises materials like cellulose, fiberglass and mineral (rock or slag) wool that are blown into enclosed cavities such as walls, ceilings or attics with special equipment. It’s ideal for insulating existing finished areas as well as hard-to-reach spaces like hard obstructions; additionally it can even be sprayed into air ducts for greater energy efficiency in homes.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool refers to any insulation material created from spun yarn composed of melted stone and glass or stone and slag woven together, typically installed as mats and boards but it can also come in loose-fill form known as rock wool or slag wool loose-fill insulation.
Mineral wool’s open-fiber structure enables it to capture air, which enhances its ability to regulate heat. Furthermore, this insulation material resists thermal degradation over time while still offering reliable insulating performance.
Mineral wool batts can also enhance sound insulation in homes, making them suitable for multifamily dwellings or those located near busy roadways. While once manufactured using chemical binders which released volatile organic compounds (VOCs), manufacturers now utilize low or no VOC emitting binder.
Natural Fibers
Natural fiber insulation is made from organic materials like cellulose, cotton, hemp and sheep’s wool that haven’t been manufactured, such as cotton batting. Although more costly than standard fiberglass rolls, natural fiber insulation offers improved air tightness and moisture resistance more effectively while being resistant to fire, pests and mold growth.
Foam insulation comes in the form of blankets or batts, liquid-sprayed foam boards and rigid boards; all three options can be purchased as blankets or batts to cover floors, foundation walls, basement walls and sheathing for use on floors, foundation walls and basement walls; it can also reduce conduction through structural elements like wood studs for maximum insulation in cold climates.
Insulating foam boards (IB) is a blow-in or pour-in product used in attics and other areas where traditional insulation cannot be installed, providing soundproofing benefits and damp regulation properties. Proper installation requires creating an air barrier tight enough to fit snugly against walls – its effectiveness largely relies on this factor alone. IB also helps soundproof walls against soundwaves.