There are many different insulation types on the market, and each one has different benefits and considerations. All of these choices may seem overwhelming at times! However, choosing the right insulation material for your home or business is actually more important than you may think.
Insulation plays a large role in the health, safety, and comfort of your home or business. Choosing the right insulation will help support all of these processes, but choosing the wrong one can make your space suffer in a variety of ways.
But how do you choose? Certain insulation materials, like fiberglass insulation, stand out amongst the crowd. So, what is fiberglass insulation, and how can it benefit your home? Let’s find out together below.
Fiberglass insulation is primarily made out of recycled glass. Large amounts of glass are melted down and then spun into extremely thin fibers, and then these fibers are woven together with a binder to form rolls or batts. These batts are what most people typically think of when they think of insulation. They are often a light pink or yellow color and fit directly in between wall studs or floor joists.
Since fiberglass insulation is made out of recycled glass particles, it is naturally considered moisture and fire resistant! It is also considered one of the most eco-friendly insulation options due to its lack of manufactured resources.
Insulation’s main job is to control energy transfer throughout your home. It works to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter through passive heat control.
For example, in the summer, it traps excess heat inside the tiny pockets of air within the insulation’s structure. If heat can’t come and go as it pleases inside your home, your HVAC system and thermostat will be able to maintain your desired temperature much more easily.
It does the same thing in the winter, just reversed! It traps heat inside your home so it can’t escape through your walls into the chilly winter air. The best part about insulation is that it works passively, meaning it doesn’t require energy to operate. While your HVAC system requires electricity to function, your insulation will work hard for you at zero cost to you (other than the initial installation cost).
Fiberglass insulation is an attractive choice for many reasons. Homeowners and commercial property owners should know all of the benefits before choosing fiberglass for their insulation installation.
One of the biggest driving factors for the popularity of fiberglass is its affordability. Due to its highly recycled content, it uses fewer resources and can be mass-produced for a fraction of the cost of other insulation materials.
Another benefit of fiberglass is that it is designed for easy installation. Fiberglass batts are pre-cut to fit between traditional wall studs and floor joists, and they slide right between them with ease.
Fiberglass insulation can support many different areas of your home. One of the best places for fiberglass is in your attic. It will help keep out drafts and will support proper air movement in your attic space.
Like any other insulation material, fiberglass does have some considerations to take into account before choosing it as your insulation solution. Since fiberglass is made out of tiny strands of spun glass fibers, it can be irritating to your skin and lungs if you handle it directly.
This is why it is recommended to have industry-approved gloves and to wear long sleeves whenever you handle it or are working near it.
Another consideration to take into account is that while fiberglass is resistant to moisture, it is not impermeable to water. If you experience a water leak or have a water problem in your attic, your fiberglass insulation can be exposed to constant moisture. Over time, that water can infiltrate your insulation and can become soaked through.
This constant exposure to moisture can result in mold and rot. Moldy insulation can’t work the way it is supposed to, and it can even start to impact your home’s air quality. The good news is that this can be avoided if you check on your insulation regularly and catch problems at the source.
Like with any new insulation installation, an evaluation of your home and your area’s climate is the first step. Warmer climates require different insulation installation and thicknesses, and vice versa with colder climates.
Installing the wrong insulation material or thickness can actually cause more problems for your home down the road. Insulation that is too thick will make your home warmer than it needs to be, which can result in humidity problems, chronic condensation, and even mold growth. Insulation that is too thin or patchy will result in drafts, uneven temperatures, and an overworked HVAC system.
A trained fiberglass insulation installer will be able to tell you exactly the type of insulation you need and how much of it! The fiberglass batts are pre-cut to size, so they are simply installed between your floor joists or between your wall studs for a secure and draft-free fit. A thermal camera can even be used to show that it is working the way it needs to.
Thankfully, your home will most likely tell you that something is amiss. Insulation is a crucial part of your home’s infrastructure, and it is vital to your air flow. If you are struggling with these issues in your home, it’s time to evaluate the insulation in your attic for removal and replacement:
If any of these problems are present in your home, it’s time to call the professionals at Master Attic. Our team is ready and willing to handle your entire installation process! We will remove old insulation, clean your space, and add fresh insulation material that will last for decades in the right conditions.
Fiberglass insulation in your attic can be the solution to your home problems! Call Master Attic today at (800) 285-4009 for a free evaluation.
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