The history of insulation goes way back in history. Ancient Egyptians and Vikings understood the importance of insulation and used it to create tighter shelters. In Viking times, they would bury logs in mud to keep out cold air. Today, you can find insulation products made of Cellulose, Mineral wool, Asbestos, and Cork. Let’s take a look at these products and the history behind them. You’ll learn how these products were used in different times in history.
Mineral wool
Scandinavian countries have been frequently cited as an example of effective energy conservation strategies. Yet these strategies have had varying histories, with aspects present in many non-Scandinavian countries. In addition, the growth of mineral fibre insulation in both developed and developing countries has been shaped by natural and political factors – particularly the nature of the relationship between government and industry. Here are a few interesting facts about the Swedish mineral fibre industry.
Today, energy conservation strategies depend on understanding the contemporary configurations of government, industry and consumer interests. New arrangements create different opportunities for insulation promotion. Increasing international influence of insulation manufacturers has opened up new opportunities for the development of European regulation. Openness of government consultation has encouraged debate regarding thermal performance. However, many policy makers and manufacturers are unaware of this development and are not motivated to stimulate the insulation market. Hence, these developments have resulted in new policy directions for the industry.
Cellulose
The history of cellulose insulation goes back over a hundred years. The basic material is cellulose, found in wood, paper, and other plant-based products. Its popularity as a building material increased during the 1970s energy crisis, which resulted in an increase in demand for insulation. Some cellulose manufacturing companies disappeared in the wake of the energy crisis, while others continued to refine their manufacturing methods and materials to meet rising demand.
Today’s cellulose building insulation is essentially chopped newsprint, usually treated with a fire retardant chemical. This fluffy gray papery material may also contain wood chips of varying colors. It is also often made of post-consumer recycled paper. In some cases, the material is recycled to reduce the cost of production. Regardless of how the material is recycled, the process has many advantages, and cellulose insulation is the most common choice in new construction and existing homes.
Its R-value is between three and four per inch. It costs more to install than fiberglass insulation, because it requires more time and materials. Some areas may be hard pressed to find experienced installers, who know how to dense-pack loose fill dry cellulose and how to stabilize it on sloped surfaces. They also understand the appropriate amount of time needed to allow the wet-spray cellulose to dry. The R-value of cellulose insulation is highly dependent on the thickness of the material and the application process.
In addition to newspaper paper, cellulose can also be manufactured with magazines and recycled newspapers. But newspaper paper is considered a low-grade product. This means that newspapers, magazines, and other paper products can be used to produce cellulose insulation. The paper is then treated with a number of chemicals to make it fire resistant. It is also better for the environment than fiberglass and furnace-produced mineral insulation. It is also highly recyclable and has the lowest embodied energy of any type of insulation material.
Asbestos
Asbestos was widely used for nearly a century, mostly in piping and ductwork, and was also found in cement, plaster, electrical panels, and certain batt insulation brands. Asbestos is toxic and can cause severe health problems if you are exposed to it, and it was a cost-effective and durable material to use. However, you should be aware that exposure to it can cause health problems if you breathe it or ingest it.
Asbestos was first discovered in the 1880s, when mining began in the Urals of the Russian Empire. Several years later, asbestos mining began in Northern Italy, and an industry called the Italo-English Pure Asbestos Company opened in Turin. Canadian mining followed, and asbestos was soon found in South Africa. By 1910, the production of this mineral in the U.S. began to rise. Today, asbestos is found in all 50 US states.
Asbestos usage peaked in the 1940s, and the UK used it in virtually every building. Until the year 2000, it was used in construction materials and other products. It was also widely used in paints, fertilizers, hair dryers, irons, and cigarette filters. Fortunately, the UK government banned asbestos in insulation products in 1999. This was a major step towards protecting the health of its citizens.
Asbestos was used as far back as 5,000 years ago, and in ancient Greece, the Romans called it “amiantus.” They used it for everything from building materials to cremation cloths. Ancient Egyptians even used asbestos in their cloth for burial. Asbestos was so prevalent in their society, that in the 1800s, the Italian government used it in bank notes. By the middle of the 19th century, asbestos became a common material in the Parisian Fire Brigade’s armor.
Cork
Cork was used in the 1800s to create wine stoppers. However, the material’s use in insulation quickly expanded after the discovery of the agglomeration process in the late 19th century. This technique combines waste cork from the stopper industry with a binding agent to create a material with virtually infinite durability. Furthermore, cork is an environmentally friendly, renewable resource that can be used over again.
The raw material of cork is derived from the bark of the Cork Oak tree. Its light weight, impermeable to liquids, and elastic and compressible properties make it a natural insulator. Apart from its insulating properties, cork is also used in construction, waterproofing of infrastructure, and final coverings. In addition, it is 100% recyclable and renewable. The tree’s lifespan is 200 years, and cork is one of its many uses.
The ancient Romans used cork in their shoes and in the roofs of their buildings. During the Middle Ages, monks sewed cork to their monasteries. Today, cork is used in houses, refrigerators, ice houses, and cold storage plants. Some examples of uses of cork insulation can be found on advertisements. You can also read about the Solar Cooler from Veggie Rescue.
While cork is an unusual, but effective material for insulation, it has been used for decades in Europe. Cork roofs and exterior walls often contain eight to 10 inches of cork insulation. In Austria, the first Passive House was constructed using 350 mm of cork insulation. Despite its lack of popularity, it is an excellent choice for building acoustic-efficient homes. Its resilience and quality are superior to many conventional materials and will continue to be used for decades to come.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation has been used as an insulating material for decades. It comes in a variety of forms, including rolls, pre-cut batts, and blown-in loose-fill insulation. Its lower installation cost makes it a popular choice for residential construction. It is also considered environmentally sound, with soy-foam and recycled cotton denim being popular alternatives. Even sheep wool has been touted as an alternative.
Ray Greene was an early innovator of the material, a chemist from the Midwest and a graduate of Ohio State. He had a dream of building a plastic pleasure craft, and he began his experiments in the 1930s with scale-model melamine and urea formaldehyde hulls. He also tried to reinforce them with canvas fabric, but to no avail. In 1941, Greene bought half a roll of Owens-Corning fiberglass cloth.
In 1938, Corning Glass, an upstate New York-based company, approached Owens-Illinois and suggested a joint venture. The result was the formation of the Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation. The company’s first product, Fiberglas, became a trademarked name, and it’s used as a brand name today. The company even adopted a mascot named Pink Panther. The Pink Panther shares its color with Fiberglas insulation, and it remains one of the most famous figures in American advertising.
The first glass used to make fibers was soda-lime. This type of glass was not very resistant to alkali, and Games Slayter applied for a patent for this new product. This new material was much thinner, but it was not strong enough to resist high temperatures. He then joined Owens-Illinois and Corning companies. His invention, Fiberglas, became a staple of construction. There are several types of fiberglass insulation.