About Fiberglass Insulation

Its ease of use and high R value, combined with a low cost, make fiberglass as an insulation one of the most popular insulation materials used for both commercial and residential projects. There are many different types of insulation. It falls into the category of loose-fill insulation because it is produced with small particles of material and is flexible enough to fit snugly into almost any space.

You can picture it as a very long roll of cotton candy. It is produced using glass fibers which have been brought to their melting point and then spun into insulation. The use of recycled glass for much of the product materials makes fiberglass insulation a reliable and eco friendly product.

Many of the products that do an excellent job of limiting thermal transfer are not practical for common installations due to their density and bulk. Many homes and businesses are constructed using drywall for the ceiling panels, a material which is not strong enough to handle extreme weight. If you installed heavy insulation on top of drywall you would eventually end up with a sagging ceiling or worse yet a broken one.

Other choices in insulation include cellulose and rock wool, both of which are fairly heavy materials and therefore not usually recommended for ceiling applications. This is where fiberglass would make a great alternative; it gives you the benefits of reliable and effective insulation without the bulk and weight. This is probably why you see fiberglass installed in most homes.

Where is Insulation Most Important?

Your attic, of course! There are a few reasons that the attic is the most important location for good insulation in both residential and commercial structures. First, the attic contains a large surface area. Second, the attic is the prime location where heat either enters or leaves the home. Insulation in the attic will prevent heat from entering the home in the summer and from escaping in the winter. The air in the attic can have a huge impact on the space below it, as it is usually just over prime living or working space.

The use of insulating materials is nothing new, as people have been looking for ways to keep their homes and bodies warm in the winter for centuries. People have definitely not evolved to a place where they can handle extreme cold temperatures, so it is a good thing that technology has evolved to help keep our homes warm. Insulation works in the same way as a warm coat would, it helps to keep us warm by regulating temperatures.

Attic Insulation for Lower Energy Bills
Most people are more familiar with attic insulation than any other form of insulation. Insulation, in its recognizable pink rolls, is everywhere helping to keep us warm. Of course insulation performs a valuable service in the summer as well, reflecting heat away from our homes and helping to keep them at a more comfortable temperature.

When purchasing insulation you will see it measured with two separate values, one that describes the loss of heat and one that show the level of heat that is transferred between two areas. The level of heat that is transferred between two places is referred to as the U value. The less heat that is allowed to travel, the lower the U value. The R value works the opposite of the U value, which means that the insulation performs better the higher the R value.