As part of the RetroFoam of Michigan family, Amanda uses her experience as a journalist to write content that will help educate homeowners on the benefits of foam insulation.
She also loves knitting, making art, cooking, and hosting dinner and a movie night for friends and family. Categories Follow Us Subscribe. What is Fiberglass Insulation? How Fiberglass Insulation Works Fiberglass as an insulator slows the spread of heat, cold, and sound in structures. What is R-Value? What is Fiberglass Made of? Fiberglass insulation is made of plastic reinforced by tiny glass fibers. If the final product is loose-fill, then a binding agent will not be used.
Fiberglass Insulation Pros and Cons Fiberglass insulation has its own set of benefits and problems that you should consider before buying the material for your home. Fiberglass Insulation Pros Relatively inexpensive. Suited for standard stud and joist spacing that is relatively free from obstructions. It can be a DIY insulation project. Fiberglass Insulation Cons Small particles that come into contact with skin can lodge in pores, causing itchiness, rashes, and irritation.
It still allows for airflow, which is a major source of high energy bills and uncomfortable room. When inhaled, particles can cause coughing, nosebleeds, and other respiratory ailments. When it is disturbed, fiberglass insulation releases particulates into the air, which may be inhaled by those installing or removing it. If a person must disturb the fiberglass insulation, they should wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and goggles.
Fiberglass can trap allergens, dust, and moisture, which can lead to mold growth. Process of Installing Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass can be installed in the attic , crawl space , rim joist , and open walls. Bags of fiberglass loose-fill can be blown into attics, walls, and floor cavities.
When it is disturbed, fiberglass insulation releases particulates into the air that may be inhaled by those installing or removing it, or by property inspectors crawling through attics or crawlspaces where it is present.
If you must disturb fiberglass insulation, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and goggles. A dust mask or, for the greatest protection under any circumstances, a respirator with a particulate filter should be used to prevent inhalation of the potentially irritating fibers.
Before removing fiberglass insulation, it is a good idea to dampen the area to prevent particles from entering the airspace. Afterwards, wash your hands with water — preferably cold water, as warm water can expand pores that can trap particles and allow them to travel deeper into the skin.
Cellulose is a plant-based insulator and is the oldest form of home insulation. At different times, it has been produced from sawdust, cotton, straw, hemp, and other plant materials with low thermal conductivity. Today, it is produced from recycled newspapers that are later treated with chemicals that reduce its ignition potential. Cellulose must be chemically treated in order to reduce its flammable properties, and such additives may have the potential to burn exposed skin or other membranes, so caution should be practiced when handling it.
Cellulose insulation is relatively inexpensive and significantly reduces air flow. It is possible that the material can produce harmful off-gassing from the ink contained in the newspapers, but insulation is generally contained in sealed locations, so this is not likely to be a health concern.
As is true with fiberglass, protect your lungs with a breathing mask when handling cellulose insulation.
Fiberglass and cellulose are both used as insulators, although they offer somewhat different advantages. There are also other types of thermal insulation available that are not covered in this article, such as rockwool, vermiculite, and various two-part foams. Insulation is an important part of enhancing a home's energy efficiency, lowering heating and cooling costs, and increasing comfort.
Become a Home Energy Score Assessor. In less than a year, GFSI recycled blades for GE and estimated that in the coming years, GE would be able to re-manufacture or reuse up to 50 million pounds of fiberglass waste. In addition, a great deal of fiberglass itself is currently manufactured from recycled glass. According to the National Waste and Recycling Association's newsletter "Waste", recyclers are turning broken glass into a viable resource known as cullet glass that's been crushed and cleaned , which in turn, is being sold to manufacturers of fiberglass insulation.
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