Insulation is a necessity for most people to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature during extreme weather conditions. The most common type of insulation is fiberglass, which is made from tiny glass fibers. However, is fiberglass insulation safe?
Although fiberglass is an effective insulator, it can be dangerous to work with due to the small glass fibers that can cause irritation.
Read further to find out more about fiberglass insulation.
What Is Fiberglass?
Fiberglass insulation is made from glass fibers that are spun into a web and then bonded together with a resin. It can be found in a variety of forms, including blankets, rolls, batts, and loose-fill.
It is a popular type of insulation due to its low cost and high R-value, which is a measure of an insulation’s ability to resist heat flow.
The Origins of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation was first developed in the early 1930s by Owens-Corning, a company that is still in business today. Owens-Corning was looking for a way to use waste glass from their other operations and turned it into insulation. Fiberglass insulation quickly gained popularity due to its low cost and high efficiency.
During World War II, fiberglass insulation was used in military applications to insulate ships and other vehicles. After the war, fiberglass insulation became widely used in residential and commercial construction.
The Dangers of Fiberglass Insulation
Although fiberglass insulation is an effective insulator, it can be dangerous to work with. The small glass fibers that make up the insulation can cause skin and respiratory irritation. It is important to wear gloves, long sleeves, and a dust mask when working with fiberglass insulation to avoid contact with the skin and inhaling the fibers.
A common question is, " I touched pink insulation, and my whole body itches. What should I do?"
If you come in contact with it, wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. See a doctor immediately if you experience any respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing.
Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation
Some alternative insulation materials on the market do not pose the same dangers as fiberglass insulation.
Cellulose Insulation
One alternative is cellulose insulation, which is made from recycled paper products. Cellulose insulation has a similar R-value to fiberglass insulation, but it does not have the same dangers associated with it.
Spray Foam Insulation
This type of insulation comes from a mixture of chemicals that are sprayed onto the surface to be insulated. Spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass insulation but is also more expensive.
There Are Pros and Cons of Fiberglass
In conclusion, fiberglass insulation is a popular and effective type of insulation, but it can be dangerous to work with. Some alternative insulation materials on the market do not pose the same dangers as fiberglass insulation.
If you are considering adding insulation to your home, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each type of insulation to decide what is best for you and your family.
One effective way to cut down on your energy bills is to insulate your home. Home insulation ensures that indoor temperatures remain comfortable by keeping heat out when it is hot outside — and in when a warmer indoor temperature is needed. Because of insulation, you will not have to rely heavily on the HVAC system to keep comfortable indoor temperatures.
Several insulation products are on the market, each of which has its benefits. Research shows that about 85 percent of American homeowners are insulating their attics using fiberglass. What then makes fiberglass such a popular material for home insulation?
The Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation
Below are the benefits of fiberglass insulation in homes:
It is both fire-resistant and moisture-resistant: One of the risks of homeownership is the possibility of property damage due to a natural calamity. Luckily, in the case of a fire or a flood, you can bet on fiberglass to resist these elements. Fiberglass is not waterproof, since it can become wet. However, it does not hold or retain water. You can dry it easily and put it right back in the attic. And since fiberglass is moisture resistant, you will not have to worry about mildew or mold growth. Additionally, fiberglass is noncombustible, a particularly desired quality since installing attic insulation requires lining the materials within wooden joists.
Soundproofing: Installing fiberglass within the walls and floors of your home assists in minimizing the noises from objects dropping, footsteps, and people talking in a neighboring room. When your property has excellent soundproofing, its privacy levels increase as well.
High R-Value: The R-value of a material measures its capacity to prevent heat transfer. The greater the R-value, the more resistance the material is to conductive heat transfer. The right R-value you will require will depend on factors such as your locality’s climate zone and the space you are insulated.
Fiberglass is also available in loose-fill form: Although batts are often easy to install, the work becomes challenging for attics with minimal crawl and headroom space for one to maneuver around, cumbersome spacing between joists, cooling, and heating units, or other obstructions on the ground and pipes on the walls. Luckily, you can avoid the headache of dicing insulating fiberglass batt to a specific size using loose-fill fiberglass.
It is cheap: Fiberglass insulation is not only effective, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and durable, but it is also a cost-effective material. Although fiberglass products are excellent insulators, they are relatively cheap. The cost point and energy savings make fiberglass products ideal for home insulation.
Enhances your well-being: Fiberglass insulation improves the thermal comfort of your home. When your home is comfortable, your physiological and mental health improves. You feel less stressed and calmer; thus, you become more productive. Furthermore, combining fiberglass insulation with balanced humidity levels and better ventilation can enhance your home’s thermal comfort —and consequently, your overall well-being.
Are you looking for a home insulation expert? For over 21 years, Ace Insulation Inc. has been offering high-quality insulation installation services. We have several products to choose from, including spray foam and fiberglass. For more information, call (707) 584-8377.
Whether you’re building a brand-new home in Northern California or you need to install new insulation in your current home, you’ll need to decide what type of insulation material is best for your needs. While fiberglass has been the standard for decades, spray foam is gaining in popularity as a highly effective thermal barrier. Read on to gain a basic understanding of the differences of fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation and discover which material you should use for your home.
What are the differences between the materials?
Fiberglass and spray foam insulation are very different materials. Fiberglass insulation is composed of delicate fibers of recycled materials, including melted glass. The fibers are held together with an adhesive backing, like aluminum foil or paper, that resists moisture and vapor. It comes in either batt form, which almost looks like a block of insulation, or loose fill.
Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, is a liquid chemical that comes out of a spray can. It expands immediately as it’s applied, forming an airtight seal over cracks and any other voids. It creates both a thermal and vapor barrier all at once.
Which option resists airflow the best?
An insulation’s airflow resistance is measured in terms of its R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at keeping cold and hot air from seeping into your home. In general, spray foam has a higher R-value when compared to fiberglass insulation. Closed cell spray foam insulation is a particularly effective thermal barrier, with R-values reaching up to 7.0.
Fiberglass insulation can have a high R-value as well when installed by a professional technician. High-density fiberglass options have R-values as high as 4.3, which is generally enough to keep a home in Northern California comfortable during every season. You can also bolster your insulation by having the fiberglass batts stacked on top of each other, whereas you are limited in the number of spray foam layers you can apply in one area.
Which option resists moisture the best?
Moisture resistance is one area where fiberglass and spray foam perform equally well. Either option will give you a good moisture barrier, which is especially important in an area like an attic. Luckily, you won’t see mold or mildew growing on either type of insulation.
Which option is easiest to install?
The process of installation is one of the key differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation. If you have a wide-open attic with no obstructions, fiberglass batts are the easiest and the cheapest option. For attics with multiple obstructions, spray foam can be installed quickly, but it’s also more expensive.
Knowing the differences between fiberglass insulation vs. foam insulation can help you select the best option for your Northern California home. No matter which option you choose, professional installation by an experienced technician ensures that your property is completely sealed from the air outside. Contact Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about the differences between these materials and how we can help you keep your home comfortably insulated all year long.
Insulation is an important feature in all Northern California homes. Whether you’re building a new house or considering replacing your current insulation, you have a choice when it comes to the material you use. While fiberglass insulation, in either batt or loose fill options, is a popular choice, it’s not always the best one. Here are the major pros and cons of fiberglass insulation and how you can tell if it’s right for your home.
Thermal protection
When considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation for your Northern California home, one of the major benefits is its thermal protection value. Both fiberglass batt and loose fill insulation can provide up to R-4.3 per inch, but only when the insulation is installed correctly. It takes professional installation, starting with comprehensive air sealing, to ensure that fiberglass insulation maintains its level of thermal protection throughout the years. In some cases, a technician will have to “top up” the insulation to maintain its protective value. When installed correctly, your fiberglass insulation can have a higher R-value than some types of spray foam insulation.
Air seal
One of the cons to choosing fiberglass insulation is that creating an airtight seal is a bit more complicated when compared to spray foam insulation, but it can be done. Spray foam creates both an air barrier and an insulation barrier all at once. It is considerably more expensive than fiberglass materials, though. Again, if you choose to go the more affordable route and select fiberglass as your insulating material, make sure the installation is done by a seasoned professional. The technician will install a separate air barrier to keep your home airtight.
Moisture barrier
Insulation needs to be able to resist moisture, and in areas like an attic cavity, moisture accumulation can be prevalent. In considering the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation, one of the major drawbacks is that fiberglass batts don’t create a moisture or vapor barrier on their own. If you rely on the services of a professional insulation technician, though, they’ll make sure to install a separate barrier that will keep your attic free from the damaging effects of moisture.
Fire resistance
A key benefit to choosing fiberglass as your insulating material is that it can either be naturally fire resistant or treated with a fire retardant to protect your home in case of fire. Always rely on the expertise of a trained professional for peace of mind that your insulation won’t catch fire. Spray foam, on the other hand, requires a special thermal barrier material placed over the insulation. It’s an extra cost that you don’t have to pay for if you choose a fiberglass option.
Understanding the pros and cons of fiberglass insulation can help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing insulation for your Northern California home. Always rely on the professional expertise that only a trained insulation installation expert can provide. Contact Ace Insulation Inc today to learn more about the best thermal barriers for your home.
There are many ways to keep your house in top shape—regular maintenance of appliances and a commitment to landscaping are just a few. One thing that can really help your home’s energy efficiency and resale value, though, is staying on top of its insulation needs. Insulation is one of the easiest ways to ensure your home’s HVAC system is working as it should and that your loved ones are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Their comfort is paramount, and your insulation choice is a big part of that. With this in mind, there are a few things you’ll want to understand about foam and fiberglass insulation in Northern California.
What is fiberglass insulation?
Those traditional pink rolls are probably what many people picture when they think of fiberglass insulation, but it also comes as blown-in loose fill (which is less common). Those large pink rolls of fiberglass insulation in Northern California are called “batts,” and they can cover a lot of space very easily.
However, you’ll want to work with a professional company like Ace Insulation Inc., because these need to be precision-cut to get around obstacles in your home (picture the ductwork in your attic, for example). If these are cut too short, you’ll have gaps that air can easily pass through, while if you cut them too long, the insulation piles and has irregular compression all around—also bad news for your heating and cooling bills!
What is spray foam insulation?
The other popular product that we tend to install the most is spray foam insulation in Northern California. It comes out of spray cans as a liquid, but quickly expands to cover any cracks or openings. It can be “open cell,” which is softer and more pliable because the “cells” of air made by the expanding foam are not fully enclosed, or “closed cell,” which is more rigid because it doesn’t allow any air into its cells at all. As one might guess, closed cell is generally the better insulator.
Spray foam insulation is a great choice for many business owners and homeowners, but it’s a relatively new product that is costly to manufacture and still has a heavier price tag than some people are willing to pay.
The verdict
Spray foam insulation is going to give you an efficiency that really can’t be matched by fiberglass insulation in Northern California, but you’re likely going to pay for that level of quality. On the other hand, fiberglass insulation can last for an extremely long time—it’s not uncommon for this traditional type to last for a century in many homes we work in. Additionally, foam insulation has the drawback of sometimes shrinking over time, meaning it could require occasional touch-up jobs to make sure its coverage is maxed out.
In general, either insulation product has its strengths and weaknesses. At Ace Insulation Inc., we install both in many homes and businesses each year, and a lot of it comes down to what a property owner is looking for and what they’re comfortable spending. Call us today and let’s make a plan together!
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