Before we get to the modern day, we need to understand a little bit about the history of insulation. Cork and Asbestos are two of the oldest and most widely used materials, but other materials, such as Cellulose and Fiberglass, have been used for decades. If you’re unfamiliar with the history of insulation, read this article to learn more. Here’s a brief timeline of its development. It’s also worth taking a look at the evolution of corkboard.
Cork
If you’ve ever wondered how cork insulation is different from conventional foams, you’ve come to the right place. This complete illustrated textbook focuses on the history of cork’s use as insulation, heat conductivity, and how it works. It also provides complete specifications and directions for installation. In fact, it even shows you how to use cork as insulation in ice cream cabinets. Of course, you should never use cork to build a soda fountain or install it in a hot tub.
In ancient Roman times, cork was used in shoes and roofs, and in the Middle Ages, monks sheathed their monasteries with cork. Today, cork is used to insulate household refrigerators, camper vans, and ice houses. The benefits of cork insulation are many and varied. Check out the following examples:
Ancient Egyptians used cork in fishing and sailing. Later, they also used it in domestic applications, including sandal soles. In the 20th century, cork has become a fashion statement. Cork insulation was a major innovation in the field of architecture and construction, and the Romans continued exploring its potential. They also used it as a closure for amphorae and as a roof and ceiling material. Today, cork is still harvested in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Algeria.
Amorim Cork Insulation began its journey in 1966 with a trial venture aimed at developing the agglomerated cork industry. The company was founded by Portuguese and British investors as part of a strategic plan. Expocor’s aim was to produce expanded cork agglomerates and explore personalised markets. The expansion of cork was considered to be a raw material, so it wasn’t hard for them to produce a product that offered the same results as conventional products.
Today, cork insulation is a highly effective insulating material. It is biodegradable and can be composted. It is also renewable and maintains its performance functions for a long time. Its durability and low price make it an attractive alternative to foam. Aside from its high R-Value (3.4 to 4) per inch, cork also absorbs sound very well. For these reasons, it has been used for a long time in European buildings.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos as insulation dates back to the late nineteenth century, when it was first discovered in large deposits in Canada and the northern U.S. These deposits were popular for many reasons, including its excellent insulating properties. This mineral was also used as a building material, and its durability made it a valuable commodity. However, as the material became more common, its health risks began to surface. The Congressional Library of Congress published a book on the history of asbestos in insulation, which discusses how the material was used to strengthen buildings.
The use of asbestos increased in the early 20th century, especially in buildings. After the World War II, the demand for asbestos rose dramatically. As a result, the United States consumed more asbestos than any other nation in the world in the first half of the twentieth century, reaching more than 800,000 tons of asbestos every year. The demand for this mineral rose dramatically after World War II, which was also a time of heightened production and use. The use of asbestos declined dramatically in the 1970s, when awareness about the health risks of exposure to asbestos began to grow. Additionally, the construction industry became a huge consumer of asbestos, which increased the need for the material.
The use of asbestos as an insulator began in the 1800s, and the industrial age brought asbestos to the masses. Asbestos was used in many different products from brake shoes to clutch fittings and even kitty litter! By the twentieth century, asbestos was used in thousands of different products, from drywall compound to fire retardant coatings. Its widespread use was also responsible for the health concerns of millions of Americans.
Asbestos was used in ancient China and the early Greeks, as early as the 13th century. It was also used in building materials and cremation cloths. In the early 1700s, Russian knights began mining asbestos in 1712, and it spread rapidly throughout the continent. In the late 1800s, new uses for asbestos emerged, including asbestos clothing, steam locomotives, and liner materials for brakes and clutches. Asbestos was also used in packing materials, gaskets, and pipe lagging materials. It was also used as protective suits during the Renaissance.
Fiberglass
In the early 20th century, fiberglass insulation was first made by accident. Dale Kleist accidentally created the material by turning glass into thin fibers by applying high-pressured air. Fiberglass insulation was soon a popular building material, and the first commercial examples came about in the 1940s. Before fiberglass, buildings were lined with cellulose, which was made from newspapers, cardboard, straw, sawdust, cotton, and other natural fibers. However, cellulose was highly flammable. A 1950s amendment added a fire retardant to the material. The 1970s saw a huge increase in the use of cellulose.
The invention of fiberglass was first made public in the 1870s by John Player, who shared his discovery at the World’s Columbian Exposition. The fibers he used were the same size as silk fibers. In 1936, the Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation was formed by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company and Corning Glass Works. The company began producing continuous filament glass fibers, and was the first commercial producer of fiberglass. Its name has since been genericized as “Fiberglass” to describe fiberglass insulation.
The invention of Fiberglas came about by accident. In 1932, Ohio native Dale Kleist was attempting to make transparent weatherproof walls. He accidentally hit a flow of molten glass and formed tiny fibers. This breakthrough gave birth to a new material, patented in 1936, and Owens-Illinois and Corning Glass partnered with him to create a more effective form of insulation. Its name, Fiberglas, quickly became a generic term for fiberglass.
While fiberglass has many advantages, it is also prone to deterioration. In fact, the fiberglass used in construction is not the only type of fiberglass in use today. It was used to build radomes during World War II. The process of manufacturing Fiberglas and polyester resin was developed and further refined by the Germans. After the war, the American Cyanamid and Owens-Corning began producing fiberglass and polyester airplane parts for the war effort. Both companies used polyester resin in fiberglass cloth impregnated with the resin.
As a result of lobbying by the fiberglass industry, cellulose became more popular and used in construction projects. The asbestos-related dangers led to the adoption of cellulose and fiberglass batting as building materials. In fact, both types of fiberglass insulation are popular today. Soy-based insulation is eco-friendly, and recycled jeans are used as batts and loose fill. If you are concerned about the environment, you can choose a product that meets OSHA’s safety standards.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation was first made from plant matter, such as paper. In fact, the base material of all plant life, cellulose is found in wood, paper and other plant-based products. These days, cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper and is treated with borates to make it fire-retardant. Although cellulose is widely used today, its history goes back to the 17th century. Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, was insulated with it. However, greater regulatory measures in the 1970s made cellulose insulation less popular and increased sales of fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation was the dominant choice for several decades.
The R-value of cellulose insulation is 3.6 to 3.8 per inch. Its cost is higher than fiberglass insulation due to the added material and labor required to install it properly. It may be difficult to find an experienced cellulose installer in some areas. However, experienced cellulose installers will be able to correctly apply dense-pack loose-fill cellulose and stabilize it when installed on sloped surfaces. They will also be able to determine the proper time to dry wet-spray cellulose.
The history of cellulose insulation is as fascinating as its benefits. Today, cellulose is widely available in a variety of thicknesses and applications. It is also an excellent choice for tight spaces, and it fits well in tight areas. It is environmentally friendly as well, and it contributes to LEED credits in the US Green Building Council certification program. Cellulose insulation can earn credits in the categories of energy and atmosphere performance and materials and resources recycled content.
In 1978, cellulose insulation made its way to market and become popular. When experts began to discover the dangers of asbestos, cellulose insulation became a popular choice. In the following years, cellulose insulation and fiberglass batting became widely used in construction projects. Today, both products are widely used for home and building insulation. This insulation can be used for many different purposes and is environmentally friendly. So, what are the benefits of cellulose insulation?