- Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most common insulation material. ...
- Cellulose: Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products. ...
- Foam: Foam insulation may be made from polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, which are all types of plastic. ...
- Mineral wool: Mineral wool can refer to either rock wool or slag wool. ...
Is fiberglass insulation a good insulation?
Yes! The most common form of insulation found in homes, fiberglass is a woven product made of plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. Resin and binding substances are added to fiberglass to create strength and durability.
What type of insulation do homeowners use for insulation?
As you can see, fiberglass is the dominant insulation material. 71% of all the insulation used by the 1,600 builders surveyed is fiberglass, 52% of it in the form of batts and 19% blown. According to the article, fiberglass has held fairly steady at that level for the past few years.
When was fiberglass insulation invented?
Fiberglass insulation has been used in homes since the 1930s and was first created by the Owens Corning Company. The material has a long history and is still used in modern construction today. As part of RetroFoam of Michigan’s ongoing mission to educate homeowners, we are here to answer some frequently asked questions about fiberglass insulation.
What do we know about traditional insulation?
While RetroFoam of Michigan has more than 17 years of experience with spray and injection foam insulation, we also know quite a bit about traditional insulations. Fiberglass insulation has been used in homes since the 1930s and was first created by the Owens Corning Company.
Is all insulation made of fiberglass?
The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials.
How can you tell if insulation is fiberglass?
If you have loose-fill insulation that is white and fluffy and has a little shine, it is probably fiberglass fill. Because it is a glass product, fiberglass has a slight shine when subjected to bright light. It is very soft, almost like cotton candy, and is composed of very fine fibers.
Is all yellow insulation fiberglass?
Typically, yellow insulation contains fiberglass. The resin-based binder used to hold the woven glass fibers together determines the insulation's color. To determine if the yellow insulation contains fiberglass, expose it to bright light.
How do I know if my insulation is cellulose or fiberglass?
R-values of fiberglass and cellulose insulation Per square inch of insulation, cellulose has a higher R-value than fiberglass. What's R-value? It's a measurement of an insulation's ability to block the movement of heat. The higher the R-value, the more insulative the material.
How do I know what insulation I have?
Determining whether you have insulation could be as easy as removing the cover plate on a switch or outlet, then looking into the gaps around the electrical box. Fiberglass batt insulation or loose-fill insulation will often be evident in the spaces around the electrical box.
Is all pink insulation fiberglass?
Fiberglass insulation is used in homes and other buildings to block sound and heat transfer. It is almost always pink in color. This insulation is colored artificially to make it recognizable to consumers.
Does white insulation have fiberglass?
Blown fiberglass comes in three common colors: white, pink or yellow and the colors simply identify the manufacturer. Blown-in fiberglass insulation in attics typically has an R-value of 2.5 per inch.
What brand of insulation is yellow?
Below we illustrate Armstrong "natural fiber" "Insulating Wool", actually a yellow fiberglass insulation product labelled as actually manufactured by Owens Corning Fiberglass corporation.
What does Fibreglass insulation look like?
The material looks like shredded grey paper. If the loose-fill insulation is white and fluffy, with a little shine, then that is fibreglass insulation. A glass product, fibreglass always has a little shine when subjected to bright light.
How do you test for fiberglass?
The primary air testing method for fiberglass is phase contrast microscopy (PCM), which is also the primary method for testing asbestos in the air. PCM testing is a fiber counting method where all fibers are counted and often compared to the EPA clearance level of 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter.
How can you tell the difference between asbestos and fiberglass insulation?
Difference In Properties Asbestos has a higher heat resistance and tensile strength properties when compared to fiberglass. Fiberglass is more temperature resistant than polyamide and cotton, but it isn't comparable to asbestos in this regard.
What color is fiberglass insulation?
Blown fiberglass comes in three common colors: white, pink or yellow and the colors simply identify the manufacturer. Blown-in fiberglass insulation in attics typically has an R-value of 2.5 per inch. The density of the blown-in fiberglass determines the R-value just like it does for a batt.
What is Fiberglass Insulation?
To make fiberglass insulation, manufacturers weave very fine strands of glass together. It is then built into layers or small particles, depending on the insulation being made. As a result, fiberglass is a material that is durable and dynamic in its uses.
Types of Fiberglass Insulation
There are two main types of fiberglass insulation—batts and loose-fill. Both are unique in their construction and uses.
Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass has numerous benefits. When choosing a type of insulation, it is essential to know both the benefits and challenges of the insulation you are researching.
Challenges of Fiberglass Insulation
You also must consider the challenges when choosing fiberglass insulation for your home. These disadvantages may not be deal-breakers, but you should take them seriously when making the best choice for your home.
Conclusion
Fiberglass is an eco-friendly and cost-effective insulation solution. It comes in batt and loose-fill varieties. Homeowners typically use batt-style insulation in walls and loose-fill in attics; however, both types are appropriate for various installation purposes.
What is the dominant insulation material?
As you can see, fiberglass is the dominant insulation material. 71% of all the insulation used by the 1,600 builders surveyed is fiberglass, 52% of it in the form of batts and 19% blown. According to the article, fiberglass has held fairly steady at that level for the past few years. Since this material makes up more than two thirds ...
Is fiberglass bad for you?
There’s really only one problem with fiberglass: poor installation . OK, it also can be really itchy if you get it on your skin and it’s a lung irritant if you’re working with it and not wearing a mask or respirator. So wear proper protective gear when you’re installing it or crawling around in a space where it’s exposed.
Can fiberglass insulation lose R value?
Yes, there was a study from the early 1990s that showed blown fiberglass in attics could lose 50% of its R-value when the attic temperature dropped. The problem was the way the insulation was made, and the fiberglass industry fixed the problem. See my article for more details.
Is fiberglass insulation air permeable?
Whoa, there! Yes, fiberglass is an air-permeable insulation and many houses where it’s been installed are definitely too leaky. But this is like blaming your stale, moldy candy bar on the ingredients rather than the fact that the one you bought came wrapped in tissue paper.
Does compression matter in fiberglass insulation?
As long as you’re filling the cavity and getting the R-value you want, compression doesn’t matter .
Is compressed fiberglass insulation bad?
Myth: Compression in fiberglass insulation is a bad thing. This is another persistent one, and I have to admit that I fell for it for a while, too. The truth is that compressed insulation does have a lower R-value than that same insulation expanded to its full thickness.
FAQs on How to Identify Fiberglass Insulation
These questions & answers about how to identify the brand or manufacturer of fiberglass building insulation were posted originally at FIBERGLASS INSULATION IDENTIFICATION & PROPERTIES - be sure to see that photographic guide.
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What Is Fiberglass?
Does fiberglass actually contain glass? Yes! The most common form of insulation found in homes, fiberglass is a woven product made of plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. Resin and binding substances are added to fiberglass to create strength and durability.
How to Reduce DIY Fiberglass Hazards
If you're about to start a DIY fiberglass insulation, here are some tips to reduce exposure:
Rockwool
Rockwool, sometimes referred to as Mineral Wool, is wool-like man-made fiber. Its main ingredient is volcanic rock basalt. The basalt liquefies at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and to manufacture the insulation the liquefied basalt is mixed with slag, which is a byproduct of steel manufacturing processes.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is made from thin thread-like glass fibers. The fibers are pressed at high temperatures and formed into long rolls or blankets. It only uses about 20 – 30 percent recycled material and is in this aspect not as eco-friendly as Rockwool. But as it is biodegradable it is considered greener than Rockwool.
R-value and fire-resistance
The R-value indicates the heat-resistance capabilities of materials. The higher the value the better the resistance. According to their R-values, Rockwood is 1.5 times more effective fire-resistant than fiberglass. Because of this resistance, it is often used as a firestop.
Size
Fiberglass insulation is available in a wide range of sizes. Rockwool insulations are not available in such a wide range. Although Rockwool offers rolls and blankets as well, it is commonly only available in batts.
Eco-friendliness when manufactured
Rockwool is composed of more than 70 percent recycled content, while fiberglass insulation manufacturing only uses 20 to 30 percent recycled content. Unfortunately, Rockwood is not biodegradable. Fiberglass is to a large extent biodegradable and thus seen as greener than Rockwool.
Cost
Rockwool is more expensive than fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation costs between 25 and 50 percent more than Rockwool. As an example, 625 square feet fiberglass insulation will cost about $312 and Rockwool insulation might be $400 or more.
Density and soundproofing
The high density of Rockwool makes it hard to compress and thus holds its insulating value for long. As fiberglass has a lower density it will lose some of its insulating function if it’s compressed too tightly.
How to tell if insulation is asbestos?
There are a variety of signs, aside from age, that you can look for as you’re trying to determine if the insulation in your home may contain asbestos. Here’s what to look for: 1 Color – The most common type of asbestos-containing insulation is vermiculite which has a specific coloring. If your insulation is gray-brown or silver-gold, chances are it’s time to call a professional. If your loose-fill insulation is a dull gray, and soft – it’s a good bet that your insulation is mineral-based and asbestos-free. 2 Texture – During manufacturing, insulation containing asbestos went through a heat treatment that causes a unique accordion-like texture in the final product material. 3 Fluff – If your loose-fill insulation is fluffy, and mimics the look of a snow drift, chances are: your insulation is fiberglass based and doesn’t contain any asbestos. If the insulation in the hoist cavities feels firm and lays flat, it may be time to call a professional for an experienced opinion.
What color is asbestos insulation?
Color – The most common type of asbestos-containing insulation is vermiculite which has a specific coloring. If your insulation is gray-brown or silver-gold, chances are it’s time to call a professional. If your loose-fill insulation is a dull gray, and soft – it’s a good bet that your insulation is mineral-based and asbestos-free.
Does asbestos insulation have texture?
Fluff – If your loose-fill insulation is fluffy, and mimics the look of a snow drift, chances are: your insulation is fiberglass based and doesn’t contain any asbestos.
