Insulation minimizes air motion, and because air comes from all directions, your home and office need insulation in all areas of the structure. Attic Insulation is an essential component for making structure energy efficient. Without proper and sufficient insulation, utilities skyrocket and waste our natural resources.
Insulating the home and office has become a focal point for many as the realization gets stronger on its impact on comfort and costs. Choosing the right type and getting the proper amount is essential in getting the best ROI possible. In this process, you should consider the cost, availability, quality, and environmental impact of Eco-Friendly Insulation. Fortunately, there are many different methods and options to choose from, which we will review in this piece.
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How is Insulation Measured?
The thermal resistance value is how the effectiveness is measured and is referred to as R-Value, with numbers representing the resistance. The numbers range from 1 to 60, reflecting the resistance the insulating material has to heat transfer. The higher the number, the better the insulating strength. These numbers are based on collective information, including:- Density
- Thickness
- Installation Method
- The local labor rates
Every structure’s situation is unique in determining how much insulation is needed. The typical determination depends on the climate, with a cooler climate needing a higher rated R-value. Other factors considered in choosing the R-Value are heating and cooling and the area to be insulated.
Today, while keeping cool or warm is a focus for everyone, many of us are concerned about choosing an eco-friendly insulation material. Finding ways to use environmentally friendly materials effectively is the ideal goal. It protects our homes and office from energy loss while reducing the emissions that cooling and heating equipment are known to emit. Here are some eco-friendly insulation considerations when choosing insulation:
- Sustainability
- Minimize Manufactured Costs
- Energy Cost Savings
Eco-friendly Insulation Benefits
Fiberglass insulation is the first choice for most because it meets those requirements. Some of the benefits that these eco-friendly insulation material offers are:
» Moisture Resistant
The moisture resistance that this insulator offers is an attraction for many. This insulator’s integrity is compromised and contaminated after moisture reaches it, so regular inspection is recommended and re-installed if damaged, to maintain its complete R-value.
» Fire Resistant
With sand and recycled glass used to create fiberglass insulation, it results in inherently non-combustible insulation without chemicals. Because there are no chemical additives, it doesn’t lose its fire-resisting strength. Because of this fire-resistance, some areas have now approved fiberglass insulation to meet local building codes a fire stop in steel or wood wall assemblies.
» Sound Dampening
One inch of fiberglass insulation reduces sounds up to four STC points (standard transmission count) as it absorbs the transmission through the ceiling, floors, walls, and HVAC ducts. The more fiberglass insulation, the higher the STC rating.
» Recycled Materials
With more than eight billion pounds of fiberglass insulation used between 1992 and 2000, it is essential to know that it is made from pre and post-recycled glass. The critical result next to the insulation power is the reduction in landfills.
Types of Eco-friendly Insulation
Other materials used for home insulation, some natural, some man-made, include:» Sheep’s Wool
An all-natural insulation and its unique properties make an excellent barrier for cold and hot climates. The crimped and folded material forms millions of tiny air pockets, using a polyester adhesive to hold in place, then made into batts or insulation rolls, offering an R-value rating between 3.5 and 3.8 per inch thickness.» Cotton/Denim
With variable R-value ratings of R-13, R-19, R-21, and R-30, cotton or recycled denim make an excellent insulator for homes. It is more expensive, but because it is fully recycled, making it high on sustainability is a huge step in reducing the carbon footprint.» Cellulose
This clumpy, dense, thick insulator offers an R-value of 3.5 per inch of thickness, dense, and clumpy, creating a consistency similar to down feathers. Ideal for enclosed areas and is 85% recycled materials like cardboard, office papers, and newspapers.» Spray Foam
Two liquids create spray foam insulation when mixed at the job site. Iso and resin travel through a heated hose and mix where they are applied with a spray gun, taking only seconds to spread. The open-cell spray foam formula offers R-3.5 – R-3.6 value per inch, while the closed-cell spray foam insulation offers an R-value between R-4.9 to R-7.1 per inch.» Eco-Friendly Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation can be blown in with an R-Value of 2.2 to 2.7 per inch or installed in batts or rolls with an R-Value up to 4.3 per inch. With all the newer insulation products on the market today, this one still outperforms the newer products from a thermal performance perspective with less impact on the environment with 50% recycled glass contents. Using recycled glass keeps that much more out of the landfills and less energy for manufacturing fiberglass insulation.Conejo Valley Home Services?
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