Insulation Materials – What is Best for your Use

In colder countries of the world, people have discovered several ways to be comfortable in their homes using materials to heat them up. They have discovered the many insulation materials after so many years. Some are man-made, some are natural and some are hybrids. People chose what fits their needs.

The materials are as different as they all are from one another. The only likeness is that they all work the same way – preventing heat from moving around places, outside or inside, and keep things where they are needed. In houses and buildings, heat is conserved during winter, and is driven out during summer.

Insulators

Today, there are foam boards that are rigid and trap the air in controlling heat flow within a place. Reflective foils deflect radiant sun’s heat (resulting from the direct rays) to cool the living spaces.

Aside from these, there are several other materials that are very good in managing heart and cold in residences and buildings. (The not so popular insulation materials include vermiculite, phenolic foam, perlite and cementitious.)

The following popular materials (not in the order of consumer preference) have their own unique characteristics chosen by home owners and contractors. Their choices are all dictated by the present needs of the project, price, and some compromises.

Fiberglass

This is one the main favorites in insulation materials in that it delivers and that it is readily available. It is made from recycle glass and made into fibers used in blankets (batts and rolls) and as loose-fill. They are also used as rigid boards and duct insulation.

The loose fill are used with insulation-blowing machines (for attics and closed cavity applications). They are also used in blown-in blanket systems.

Mineral Wool

This other favorite has two types – rock wool and (man-made from natural minerals) and slag wool (made from by-products in blast furnaces). Both of these are 75% recycled. Also, they are fire-resistant.

These are usually made into batts and rolls as well as loose-fill insulation materials.

Cellulose

Basically, the materials are made from recycled newsprint paper. During the recycling proves, the makers usually put in borate, sometimes with ammonium sulfate, to make it fire and insect-resistant.

This material is usually the choice in new homes and in attic installations as loose-fill. The dense-packed filling is used in stuffing up cavities in walls and ceilings.

Plastic Fiber

Made from recycled plastic (PET) bottles, they are used as batt installation like the high-density fiberglass. It is treated with a fire retardant, although it melts when exposed to flame.

Compared to fiberglass, it is non-irritating to work with. As batts, they are slightly difficult to work, however.

Cotton

This insulation material is actually made of 85% recycled cotton and 15% plastic fibers treated with borate. (Some use the trimmed wastes from recycle blue jeans.)

It uses minimal energy to make because it is recycled. It is also non-toxic (it’s a natural fiber) and is available as batts.

Sheep’s Wool

These days, more materials are coming up to be manufactured into insulation materials. Some turn out to be good and some are failed experiments and discontinued.