When you consider benefits such as lower energy bills, enhanced comfort, and increased safety, making the choice to insulate your home is easy. Choosing from a plethora of insulation materials, on the other hand, can pose a bit of a challenge. Ultimately, the insulation option that best suits your home will largely depend on the environment you live in, your budget, the structure of your house, and your personal preferences. To help you make the most advantageous decision, consult this guide on the most popular types of insulation materials for your home.
Fiberglass Insulation
Currently, fiberglass insulation holds the top spot as the most popular insulation material used in homes. This material consists of fine glass fibers and plastic filaments. Depending on your preferences, fiberglass insulation comes in the form of either loose-fill or batts and rolls. Because fiberglass batts and rolls are denser, they have a higher R-value of around 4.3 per inch as opposed to just 2.5 per inch.
The popularity of fiberglass insulation likely has something to do with its lower cost and ease of installation. In addition, fiberglass also offers other notable benefits, such as its ability to impede the flow of sound and the fact that it is non-flammable.
Spray Foam Insulation
One of the most effective home insulation materials is spray foam insulation. This material consists of polyol resin and a form of isocyanate. When sprayed onto a surface, these chemicals react and expand to create a foam that ultimately hardens into an air and water-tight seal that will never lose its shape or decrease in R-value over time.
The two main types of spray foam insulation include:
- Open-Cell Spray Foam: a softer and more flexible type of spray foam that has a sponge-like consistency and an R-value of around 3.8 per inch.
- Closed-Cell Spray Foam: a denser and more rigid type of spray foam that can strengthen the structure of one’s home and has an impressive R-value of around 7 per inch.
Mineral Wool Insulation
Another popular type of insulation material for your home is mineral wool insulation. This material consists of either molten glass, basalt, or slag and has an R-value ranging from 3.7 to 4.2 per inch. Like fiberglass insulation, it can come in either loose-fill or batts and rolls. While mineral wool is admired for its ability to help prevent mildew growth, it is not suggested for use in areas that experience high heat due to the fact that it is not fire-resistant.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is also often used in homes to help block the flow of heat. It consists of recycled materials such as cardboard and paper and has a moderate R-value of around 3.5 per inch. Because cellulose contains almost no oxygen once it has been compacted during the installation process, it is highly fire-resistant.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
