High-Performance Insulation
Insulation provides resistance to heat flow allowing a home to better maintain desired indoor temperatures. An insulation material’s effectiveness is determined and measured by its thermal resistance, also known as R-Value. Insulating your home to achieve high R-values can reduce the home’s heating and cooling load while also allowing it to be more comfortable.
Learn MoreCellulose
Cellulose insulation is typically made from around 82%-85% recycled paper or cotton products. It is treated with a fire retardant, most commonly borate, allowing for fire resistance. Cellulose is available as a loose fill insulation that can be applied to the home.
Mineral Wool
Mineral Wool is made from natural minerals or rock materials and on average contains 75% post-industrial, recycled content. Most mineral wool insulation is fire resistant and does not require any additional chemical treatment. The two common types of mineral wool insulation are Rock Wool and Slag Wool. Most commonly mineral wool is available as a loose fill or blanket insulation application.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is made from very fine glass fibers combined with plastic. Many manufacturers often utilize approximately 40%-60% recycled glass content. Fiberglass is typically considered fire resistant but can melt or contain paper backing that can ignite. There are a variety of applications to use fiberglass including loose fil, blanket, and rigid boards.
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is a colorless, transparent thermoplastic and is commonly used to make foam board or beadboard insulation, concrete block insulation, and a type of loose-fill insulation consisting of small beads of polystyrene.
Polyisocyanurate
Polyisocyanurate is often referred to as “polyiso” and is a thermosetting type of plastic and is typically available as a liquid, sprayed foam, and rigid foam board. Some manufacturers will use polyisocyanurate as the insulation material in Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs). The R value of this insulation can drop over time as some of the low-conductivity gas escapes and air replaces it.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a thermoset foam insulation material that contains a low-conductivity gas in its cells. The insulation is most commonly available as a liquid sprayed foam (closed or open cell) and rigid foam board. Similar to polyiso, polyurethane’s R-value can reduce over time due to the gas escaping. Polyurethane can also be used by manufacturers in SIPs.
Consider Indoor Air Quality When Choosing Insulation
Spray foam insulation utilizes chemicals which can be associated with health concerns. You can learn more about the potential health concerns for spray foam here.
Consider Flammability When Choosing Insulation
Mineral wool and fiberglass are usually considered non-combustible. Cellulose is combustible but treated with a fire retardant. Spray Foam insulation is combustible. You can learn more about insulation flammability here.