About Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is the most widely used insulator of homes. It is a man-made product that consists of natural substances such as sand and recycled glass and bottles. The insulation conserves energy and is environmentally friendly. Because it helps keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter, the use of fiberglass insulation lowers the cost of utilities.

Types

The two most widely used types of fiberglass insulation are loose-fill and blanket. The loose-fill form comes in bags and is blown in place. The blanket form comes in batts or rolls in various sizes and is the most popular form of fiberglass insulation used in the building industry. Faced rolls have a paper material glued to one side of the insulation to serve as a moisture barrier. The facing material is also used to attach the insulation to the wall. Rolls without the facing material are used to add insulation to an already existing layer.

Features

The R value of insulation is a number that describes its effectiveness or amount of thermal resistance. The higher the number is, the more effective the insulation. The climate of a particular region determines the R value recommendations for that area. In other words, a colder climate would require insulation with a higher R value than a warmer climate.

Considerations

Loose-fill insulation, also known as blown insulation, has some disadvantages when used in certain areas of a building. If this type of insulation is handled, stepped on or compressed in any way, it will never puff back up to its original form. In an area such as an attic, the insulation might have to be moved for such things as roof repair and electrical problems. Once it is moved, blown insulation loses some of its effectiveness. In contrast, if the blanket type of insulation needs to be moved, it can just be picked up and set aside then put back in place exactly as it was.

Size

The blanket form of fiberglass insulation is available in batts of different widths, lengths and thicknesses to fit various construction applications. The most common widths are 15 inches and 23 inches. Lengths are available to fit 8-foot and 9-foot walls. Thicker insulation normally comes in 4-foot batts for easier handling. Thicknesses are available to fit 2 by 4-inch and 2 by 6-inch walls. Thicker batts, such as 10 inches and 12 inches, are available for use in areas such as attics.

Warning

Fiberglass insulation can be very irritating to exposed skin. Installers should take extra care to protect skin and eyes. In addition, wearing a dust mask is recommended to prevent inhalation of the tiny particles of insulation. Some experienced installers use baby powder on hands and any exposed skin to minimize irritation.