No matter what type of insulation you have in your home, it needs to be inspected and maintained. Noticing any issues early on and taking proactive measures can help to extend the lifespan of your attic insulation and home insulation.
Insulation is an important investment that helps to make your home comfortable year-round and reduce energy bills. Insulation can last for decades, depending on your material choice.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a durable insulation material that can last up to 80 years or more. While it can be susceptible to moisture damage and mold growth, it’s not nearly as prone to this issue as cellulose. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that fiberglass should be checked around year ten for any signs of potential deterioration.
The lifespan of fiberglass insulation is determined by its location and exposure to moisture. For instance, it’s recommended that fiberglass insulation in attics and crawl spaces be fluffed regularly to maintain maximum insulating power. Otherwise, the weight of moisture saturation can compact the fiberglass, reducing its insulating effectiveness. This may also occur in other insulated areas, such as walls, where the drywall may be pushed back against the insulation.
During the manufacturing stage of fiberglass insulation, a combination of raw materials is used. The most common is silica sand, but other ingredients include soda ash, alumina, borax and limestone. These are mined from the earth, though through different methods. Once these materials are combined and spun into glass fibers, they are sized, cut, packaged and shipped for installation. For this process, workers wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts and safety glasses. This is because the insulation releases particulates into the air that can be inhaled, leading to lung damage and other health problems.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is a recycled paper product made of newspaper and other recycled materials, typically treated with a blend of ammonium sulfate or borate to provide fire resistance. It is a common choice for new construction and retrofit applications because it can be easily blown into wall cavities without having to remove existing framing, unlike fiberglass batts.
When properly installed at a high density, cellulose provides great sound control between rooms and outside noises. It can also significantly reduce air infiltration, reducing energy consumption by lowering heating and cooling costs.
It has a high R-value per inch of thickness, making it an effective choice for most applications. However, it is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture easily, which causes the insulation to sag and settle within your wall or attic cavities, reducing its thermal efficiency. If the insulation is allowed to stay wet, it can damage wood framing, drywall and metal fasteners. In addition, wet cellulose can corrode metal pipes and electrical wires.
Both loose-fill and dense pack cellulose insulation are often preferred for new construction and retrofit projects because they can be applied quickly using a rented blower machine. Both types of insulation can cause a lot of dust during installation, which requires the installer to wear a mask and a lengthy cleanup process afterward. Despite the mess, they can be relatively inexpensive to install compared to mineral wool or rock wool.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool insulation, also called rock or slag wool, is made from recycled materials such as steel and iron slag and stone. It is available in loose fibers and boards, or as a blown-in type of insulation. It is a non-combustible product that will not contribute to or spread fire in framing cavities. As a natural fire barrier, it will slow down the spread of fire and give emergency services more time to respond to the situation.
It is one of the most eco-friendly types of insulation on the market today. Hemp – such as the kind produced by Hempitecture – is an excellent alternative to traditional fiberglass insulation because it is plant-based and thus compostable. The material is also non-toxic and has a high R-value per inch.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, it also has superior thermal efficiency compared to fiberglass batts. It can reduce energy consumption by up to 28%, saving your clients a lot of money and reducing carbon emissions over the lifetime of the building.
It is a non-toxic material that contains no formaldehyde and does not contain any allergens or toxins. Manufacturers are already working on alternatives to the formaldehyde binders that are used, and there is no doubt that soon these insulation products will be available with a biobased binder.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation, sprayed as two sets of isocyanate and polyurethane liquids on surfaces requiring insulation, is one of the most energy-efficient forms of home insulation. It can save homeowners up to 50% on their monthly energy bills.2
Spray insulation’s lifespan is dependent on proper installation and maintenance. The insulation must be installed with a clean substrate to prevent deterioration. If the substrate is contaminated, the spray foam will lose its R-value.
Unclean substrates can also affect spray foam performance by releasing gases and letting in air. This process, known as thermal drift, causes the R-value to decrease. This is why a licensed and insured contractor is crucial for spray foam installation.
The lifespan of cellulose and fiberglass batt insulation can be drastically reduced when they are exposed to subpar conditions. The R-value of cellulose and fiberglass insulation can decline as little as 15 years or as long as 80 or 100 years depending on the conditions and climate.
Spray foam, when properly applied by a trained technician, is a great choice for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills. It is most easily installed during new construction, but retrofitting insulation is possible for homeowners. The initial environmental impact investment of a spray foam project is higher, but the payback in energy savings makes it worth the additional expense.