Information on Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is installed inside the walls of your home to reduce drafts and maintain temperature. Insulation keeps heat inside the home during winter and contains cool air from air conditioning in the summer. Even though it is a widely used product, problems do exist with fiberglass insulation. Does this Spark an idea?
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How it is Made
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Fiberglass insulation is made from glass fibers and sand which are heated and processed in a molten state, and then cooled and coated with a special material. The fiber-like material is an insulator heat due to its make-up, and it keeps heat from passing through it. However, the fiberglass material reacts with various parts of the human anatomy. The glass-like fibers can break off and float through the air. When they are inhaled, the tiny glass fibers irritate the lungs. When it comes in contact with the skin during installation, it also causes rashes and redness.
Waterproof Properties
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Fiberglass will not absorb water or moisture. This is one reason it is used in a home. If the insulation absorbed water it would lead to mold and rot in the walls. Fiberglass helps reduce the invasion of mold in the home. It is also considered relatively light in weight. So it is easy to transport and install.
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The Different Forms of Fiberglass
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Fiberglass insulation is available in several forms. The main types are loose fill and rolled insulation. The loose fill insulation is blown into an attic or walls via a special blower gun. The fiberglass spreads around the space like loose pillow filling settling on the floor boards. Rolled fiberglass is attached to brown paper, or a similar backing. This type of fiberglass installs inside of walls between the studs and in floor joists or ceiling joists.
Flamability
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Fiberglass is made from materials which have been heated to a molten state. The result is a glass-like substance that will not catch fire. This inflammable property is yet another reason why fiberglass insulation is so widely used in homes. It will not react with open flame or intense heat sources. It is frequently use to insulate chimneys and around stove pipes.
More Uses
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Along with insulating homes fiberglass insulation is used in other applications. It dampens sound, for instance. The fiberglass rolls are often stuffed into walls not just to contain heat, but to reduce interior noise. Fiberglass is also used in heaters and boilers to protect circuitry and wiring from fire.
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