Unless it was installed as part of an upgrade project, fiberglass insulation found in your walls likely has become damp over time, diminishing its insulative value and potentially leading to moldy or leaky insulation that is costly to remove and replace.
Insulation boards offer an effective solution. Constructed as solid sheets of insulation designed to fit between wall studs, insulation boards provide insulation without leaving gaps behind.
Rigid Foam Board
Foam insulation boards are made of rigid plastic material with closed cells. Common examples are expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or polyisocyanurate (polyiso). Foam insulation boards can help increase energy efficiency of homes and are especially helpful for foundation walls and below-grade basements.
Foam insulation boards are also effective at insulating walls and roofs as they reduce thermal bridging, but unlike fiberglass they offer higher R-values per inch of coverage.
Foam insulation boards are safe, nontoxic and clean products that do not require the use of a respirator during installation. Cut with a utility knife or saw, foam boards can easily fit unusually shaped wall areas using staples stapled directly to studs, caulk, panel adhesive or spray foam adhesion. Unfortunately their stiffness prohibits them from fitting around obstructions like vents, wires and wall bracing without fitting around obstructions such as vents. Foil-faced types may not need vapor barriers but unfoiledder types may need one vapor barriers as vapor barriers may need to be added between foil layers – foil-faced types may require one as unfoiled types need one as soon as possible!
Fiberglass Batts
Do-it-yourselfers love fiberglass batt insulation because of its convenience and cost effectiveness. Available as blanket form and two presentations: rolls (known as “rolls”) and pre-cut sheets (“batts”) specifically tailored to fill any cavities between wood frames, this versatile product makes DIY installation quick and painless.
Fiberglass batts can help control temperatures, improve acoustics and cut energy costs by slowing the transfer of heat and cold between wall cavities, stud and joist spaces and wall cavities. Unfortunately, however, fiberglass insulation has certain drawbacks.
Fiberglass blankets must be precisely cut and fitted between studs, joists and beams to ensure a proper fit without air leaks. Handling and installing this material may be itchy, hot and uncomfortable due to small particles lodged into skin or breathed in. In addition, fiberglass requires a vapor barrier protection against moisture build-up as it has the tendency to settle or sag over time, decreasing R-value over time.
Cellulose Batts
Cellulose batt insulation is made of hammer milled newspaper treated with boric acid to retard fire, and can be installed into existing walls, new construction projects or attic floors. It offers higher R-Value than fiberglass insulation while being more eco-friendly – both energy consumption and landfill waste reduction benefit greatly from using this eco-friendly product. Cellulose also helps reduce outside and room-to-room noise but requires more material and time than its fiberglass counterpart for installation.
Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is an increasingly popular choice among homeowners, as it does not create dust during installation and protects against mildew and mold growth. Furthermore, this material comes in various widths that fit standard wall studs, attic trusses or floor joists for seamless insulation coverage.
Mineral wool insulation offers another alternative for home insulation needs, with high recycled content and the ability to withstand fire, vapor, and electricity. Available as blanket (batts and rolls) or loose fill products with different R values per option – more flexible than cellulose and easier installation may be.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool insulation is made of recycled industrial waste that would otherwise fill landfills, making it an eco-friendly material to bury walls with. Available as either rock wool or glass wool, it can be compressed into boards or batts before being blown in or compressed using compressed air guns to achieve R-values of 15 for 2×4 walls and 23 for 2×6 walls – better performance than fiberglass insulation!
As it’s resistant to moisture, it won’t degrade over time, nor provide food for microorganisms that feed off mold and mildew, nor contribute to air quality issues by serving as a vapor barrier. Fireproof and fire-retardant properties further ensure its safe use in any setting.
Mineral wool offers several additional benefits beyond thermal performance, including sound and fireproofing insulation. However, it doesn’t work well in humid or hot environments and is more costly than fiberglass insulation – plus its weight could present structural challenges. Like cellulose insulation, mineral wool comes with either faced or unfaced insulation options; with the latter providing water vapor barriers as well as tabs for mechanical fasteners.