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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) |
Insulation Product TypesInsulation is available in a variety of forms, including:
Each of these types is described in more detail below. Batt and Roll Insulation
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Availability:
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Fiber Glass Batts
Fiber glass is spun from molten glass and sand into fibers and is an extremely effective insulating material because tiny pockets of air resist the flow of heat and cold. Fiber glass batts are the most common form of insulation in American homes. They are easy to install and generally among the least expensive forms of insulation.
Rock and Slag Wool
Rock and Slag wool is similar to fiber glass except that it is spun from slag and other rock-like materials instead of molten glass. It is sometimes called mineral wool. Mineral wool insulation was among the earliest commercial insulation types.
Cotton/Denim
Made from cotton or recycled scrap denim there has been little independent testing done to look at the fire performance and moisture absorption of these products. Similar to cellulose insulation, these materials require the addition of fire retardant chemicals because they are combustible. Some fire retardants used in these products are know to cause corrosion of pipes and wiring.
Loose-Fill (Blown-In) Insulation
Fiber glass loose-fill insulation is an extremely effective insulating material because it prevents air movement and the resulting heat loss.
Product Types
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Commonly installed in:
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Availability:Although homeowners can buy loose-fill insulation at home improvement stores and rent blowing machines, it is common practice to have blown-in insulation installed by a professional (Link to area on how to hire a professional contractor) |
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Fiber Glass
Fiber glass loose-fill insulation is an extremely effective insulating material because its fibers prevent air movement and the resulting heat loss to resist the flow of heat and cold. It is designed for use in attics and hard-to-reach locations such as corners, nooks and crannies. It is installed dry, and because it will not settle over time, maintains its full R-value over the life of the home. Fiber glass loose-fill insulation is fed into a pneumatic blowing machine and blown under high pressure through a long flexible hose into the attics and walls. Although homeowners can rent blowing machines, it is typical practice to have blown in insulation installed by a professional.
Rock and Slag Wool
Rock wool (or slag wool) loose-fill insulation is similar to fiberglass except that it is spun from blast furnace slag (the layer of impurities that forms on the surface of molten metal) and other rock-like materials instead of molten glass. The production of rock wool uses by-products that would otherwise be put in a landfill. Rock wool insulation is well suited for locations where it is difficult to install other types of insulation, such as irregularly shaped areas, around obstructions (such as plumbing stacks), and in hard-to-reach places. Blown-in loose fill insulations are particularly useful for retrofit situations because, except for the holes that are sometimes drilled for installations, they are one of the few materials that can be installed without disturbing existing finishes. Rock wool is installed dry, and because it will not settle over time, maintains its full R-value over the life of the home.
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from ground-up newspapers. It is treated with fire retardants, some of which have been known to cause corrosion of wiring and pipes. The product settles significantly over time and must be over-installed to compensate for this settling. All loose-fill insulations are required to detail their installed and settled thickness on the bag label to let consumers know the expected settled R-value. Cellulose is applied using a mechanical blowing machine. In an attic, cellulose is not typically installed above an R-30 because its weight can cause sagging of the drywall. Most energy codes now call for R-38 to R-49 in attics.
Spray-Applied Insulation
Product Types
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Availability:This type of insulation is always installed by a professional |
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SPECIAL NOTE: Whenever you add water to a wall cavity, it is critical to make sure the right amount of water is used. Too much water can lower the R-value and cause problems with mold and moisture in a wall. A manufacturer should provide information on its label for proper drying time that includes consideration for humidity and temperatures. Spray applied fiber glass dries faster than wet spray cellulose.
Fiber Glass
Some fiber glass is blown in with a minimal amount of water and/or adhesive. This type of insulation has no settling and dries faster than wet spray cellulose. Sprayed fiber glass is able to get up to R-15 in a 2 x 4 wall cavity and R-23 in a 2x6 wall cavity and does not have the weight or corrosion issues of cellulose.
Rock and Slag Wool
Rock and slag wool (also called mineral wool) spray applied insulation has special properties that make it more resistant to combustion than other types of insulation. In a spray applied form, it is used as passive fire resistance.
Cellulose
Wet spray cellulose is sprayed in about 30 to 50% water by weight. A common myth is that this form of insulation provides greater air sealing capabilities. Air infiltration is dependant on the sealant package used and not the insulation installed in the wall cavity. Fire retardant chemicals applied to cellulose have been known to cause corrosion of pipes and wiring.
Polyurethane Foam
Foamed-in-place polyurethane foam insulation can be applied by a professional applicator using special equipment to meter, mix, and spray into place. Polyurethane foam can also help to reduce air leaks. It is typically more expensive than batts or loose-fill insulation. In many cases, this insulation would be used in a few places throughout the home where air sealing is important and batt or loose-fill insulation would be used in the majority of the space.
Rigid Insulation
Product Types:
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This type of insulation contains hundreds of millions of densely packed air cells. It is pressed or extruded into board-like forms and molded pipe-coverings. These provide thermal and acoustical insulation, strength with low weight, and coverage with few heat loss paths. Boards may be faced with a reflective foil that reduces heat flow when next to an air space. |
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Reflective Insulation
Product TypesReflective insulation systems are fabricated from aluminum foils with a variety of backings such as:
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Commonly installed in:
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The resistance to heat flow depends on the heat flow direction. Reflective insulation is most effective in reducing downward heat flow— through the floor to a crawl space in the winter, or through the roof in the summer. It is typically used in warmer climates and should not be considered a replacement for typical insulation.
Reflective insulation with a plastic core should never be left exposed in a building due to fire safety.
NOTE: Heated air has an effect on R-values. When heat flows upward, as through a ceiling in the winter, it is in the same direction as convection, so the R-value is significantly reduced.
Radient Barrier
If a single reflective surface is used alone and faces an open space, such as an attic, it is called a radiant barrier. Radiant barriers are not insulation, and by definition, have no R-value.
However, there are some radiant barrier products that have entrapped air spaces (bubble pack or multilayer films) where an R-value may be available for the product. In these situations, the product is operating as an insulation as well but the winter R-value (heat flow up) is very small. Often the manufacturer of these product types will list the summer R-value (heat flow down) because it's so much higher than the winter time (heat flow up) value.
Testing has shown that it is more cost effective to add insulation than a radiant barrier.
Additionally, the actual reduction in heat flow achieved through properly installed radiant barriers is substantially less than that claimed by some manufacturers. In cold weather, radiant barriers may reduce beneficial heat gains from the sun; because of this, they are mainly sold in areas with warmer climates.
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R-Values for Enhanced Home Energy Savings and Comfort
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Did you know there are state, local and utility financial incentives to insulate your home? Select your state to learn more: |
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