Insulating interior walls is one of the best ways to increase energy efficiency in your home and lower energy costs. Insulation will help regulate temperatures, reduce noise pollution, and cut energy expenses.
Wall insulation that allows moisture to move through is considered optimal, especially in older homes where walls may become susceptible to condensation build-up. Breathable wall insulation material helps ensure moisture flows freely through and doesn’t pool in walls – which is particularly essential.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most widely used wall insulators materials, offering insulation blankets (batts), loose-fill, rigid foam board and duct insulation forms to effectively slow heat movement by trapping millions of tiny air pockets within itself. Fiberglass is also fire retardant and sound dampening.
Fiberglass insulation boards are an economical and straightforward choice for walls in both new construction and remodeling projects, making do-it-yourself installations possible. But please be mindful that fiberglass may cause irritation to eyes and respiratory system as well as trap moisture that leads to mold or mildew growth.2 Also keep an eye out for fiberglass being an irritant due to being potentially harmful when placed near living environments or holding moisture too long, leading to mold or mildew growth.
If your home experiences leakage, it is critical to replace wet fiberglass insulation immediately. Water acts as an excellent thermal conductor and can significantly lower its R-value, leading to cooler temperatures in your house and encouraging mold and mildew growth. Dry fiberglass remains viable but for added peace of mind you could consider adding an additional waterproof barrier in the attic space for extra protection against water leaks or sources of moisture ingress.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool insulation (such as Rockwool) does not cause skin or eye irritation or respiratory tract irritation like fiberglass batt insulation does, but you should still wear a mask and gloves when installing mineral wool to prevent microscopic pieces of glass from breaking free during installation from entering your bloodstream and potentially leading to cancer.
Mineral wool products are constructed using recycled material such as steel and iron ore slag, thus decreasing both their embodied energy consumption and environmental footprint.
Asbestos insulation can be installed into a cavity wall and comes in both flexible batts and rigid sheets for convenient installation. Blown in, it offers high R-value performance. Incorporating this product is also great way to reduce environmental impacts as it doesn’t release toxic emissions during production or degradation; sound-insulation properties make this option highly valuable, plus its fire resistance makes it great for homes in higher risk zones.
Rigid Boards or Panels
Rigid foam insulation typically comprises 4-by-8-foot sheets in various thicknesses. Unlike spray or fiberglass insulation, rigid foam performs well when exposed to moisture, without changing dimensions or disintegrating, making it an excellent choice for walls where damp penetration could become an issue, such as where new walls meet existing ones; additionally it’s commonly used as sheathing material on wood frame walls.
Foil-faced XPS (extruded polystyrene) and polyiso (polyiso) insulation is an excellent sheathing material, with exceptional resistance to air infiltration. Available in numerous dimensions and face stocks, it can easily be cut using a utility knife before being installed with caulking or panel adhesive for installation.
Foil-faced insulation can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs during installation; therefore a respirator and protective clothing should be worn during its placement. Furthermore, it’s more expensive than fiberglass insulation. Certain forms of rigid foam produce toxic fumes when burned and should therefore be covered by fireproof drywall when installed inside walls.
Fire-Resistant
Insulation materials like cellulose or mineral wool naturally resist fire; others can be treated to increase their fireproof qualities. When selecting insulation materials for any building project, its fire performance must be tested thoroughly as its impact on safety cannot be overstated.
Insulating walls with this material will slow the spread of flames and prevent heat from seeping into the building from above, giving people time to escape safely before any major disaster strikes.
Rigid urethane insulation boards for external walls are one of the most versatile forms of wall insulation available, as they’re both highly effective and fire-resistant. Urethane resists electric current and contains fire retardants which makes these boards inherently fireproof; their Class 0 fire rating signifies this fact; for maximum performance it should be combined with special additives to increase their fire rating to at least 30 or 60 minutes.