![]() The material comes compressed and packaged in bags that are fed into a specially designed blower that shreds the material and blows it through a long, flexible hose that the installer can aim into an installation space. Loose-fill fiberglass (R-value: 2.2-2.9 per in.) is most often used as attic insulation. It slows heat transfer just like batt insulation, although there are some notable differences in R-value. This fibrous insulation is made to be blown into attics or building cavities. But they’re much more expensive than fiberglass, and you have fewer choices in terms of batt thickness and width. Insulation batts made from natural fibers (wool and hemp-based batts are also available) have similar thermal properties to fiberglass batts (R-value, air-sealing requirements), and are installed the same way. ![]() During the manufacturing process, batts are treated with a borate solution that improves fire resistance, while also making the material repellent to insects and rodents. The material is typically cut with a hand saw rather than a utility knife, and it takes more time to fit around common obstacles like electric cable and outlet boxes.Ĭotton batts (R-value: 3.0-3.7 per in.) are made from a combination of recycled cotton clothing and reclaimed cotton waste. This extra density makes installation challenging. Mineral wool is denser than fiberglass and much less likely to settle or compress, even when wet. Although mineral wool (also known as rock wool) is more expensive than fiberglass, it offers some notable advantages like greater R-value, for starters. This type of fibrous insulation is available in batt and rigid panel form. Mineral wool batts (R-value: 4-4.2 per in.) are made by melting reclaimed slag (a waste product from steel mills) and basalt stone, then spinning the molten material into fibers. Unfaced batts are typically used as attic insulation faced batts are often used to insulate walls. Different thicknesses are available.įiberglass batts (R-value: 2.9-3.8 per in.) have been around since the 1940s and remain popular due to their low cost and DIY-friendly characteristics (batts can be cut with a utility knife). Air-sealing prior to installing batt insulation will provide this protection, just like wearing a windbreaker over your sweater.īatt insulation is typically made to fit between framing members (wall studs, floor joists) spaced on standard 16″ or 24″ centers. But to work effectively, batt insulation needs to stay dry and free of outside air penetration. Made from different materials, these fluffy, fibrous rolls of insulation work just like your favorite winter sweater-by creating tiny air pockets that make it hard for heat to escape. ![]() by the total thickness of insulation in a planned installation. You can do this by multiplying the R-value per in. But it’s also important to take total R-value into account. rating provides a good way of comparing insulation value. NOTE: The R-value ranges given below reflect differences in products available from different manufacturers. Insulation gains green value if it’s made from recycled material. Green value can also influence your decision. Types of Insulationĭeciding what type of insulation to use depends on a several factors: where it’s installed, R-value, and whether you plan to do the installation yourself or hire a pro. Rigid foam and spray foam not only slow down conduction they can also limit convective heat transfer by closing off air leakage between indoor and outdoor space. Fibrous, permeable types of insulation, like fiberglass, delay heat transfer by slowing down conduction. Heat transfer can occur through conduction (the way a frying pan gets hot on the stove), convection (the natural process of hot air rising above cooler air), and radiation (objects absorbing heat from a heat source like the sun or a radiator). How It WorksĪll types of insulation have an R-value rating, and the “R” stands for resistance to heat flow. Understanding the advantages and limitations of different insulation types will enable you to choose the right products, whether you’re dealing with new construction or planning an insulation upgrade. But insulation actually comes in many forms. Many of us envision fluffy pink fiberglass when we think of insulation. An added bonus is that insulation also makes a building more energy-efficient and less expensive to heat and cool. On hot summer days, the same insulation makes it more difficult for outdoor heat to move indoors. In the winter, insulation helps to keep heat inside. Sure, we rely on furnaces and air conditioning equipment to heat and cool the indoors, but insulation plays a major role, too-by impeding heat flow. Insulation helps to keep interior temperatures comfortable when it’s unbearably hot or cold outside.
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