What is Fiberglass Insulation?

Most people underestimate the importance of home’s insulation in the summer. Insulation is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter.Fiberglass insulation is one of the best options if you are looking for something efficient as well as affordable.

R-Value of fiberglass insulation 

R-value is a measure of resistance-to-heat flow through a certain density of the material. This value is one of the key factors that determine the effectiveness of the insulation material. The higher the R-value, the greater will be its heat resistance.

Fiberglass insulation has a lower R-value than most insulation materials which is why it is less expensive. However, the R-value of fiberglass insulation is much higher than that of cotton.

Location matters

As a homeowner, you know that some areas of your home require more insulation than others. For example, since attics are highly exposed, they need additional and thicker insulation.

But your walls don’t need that much extra insulation since they act as a layer of insulation themselves.So, if you are installing fiberglass insulation inside your walls, you can use lower-R-value fiberglass because heat, cold, and wind will have to pass through several layers. Also, if you live in the Midwest or north east, you need more insulation in the winter than those who live on the West Coast (well – not if you live in the mountains).

How expensive is it?

As with any insulation material, the price varies depending on two factors:

• Amount
• R-value

As you can imagine, if you want a higher amount of insulation or more effective insulation, it will cost you more.

If you are looking for something to go by, fiberglass insulation installation usually costs around $1,000.

Types of insulation 

In order to understand the fiberglass insulation industry better, you should know about the other types of insulation as well:

Mineral wool: It is quite similar to fiberglass but it’s much more expensive and hard to find. Have you ever seen dusty dryer lint? That’s what it looks like. You can also find the mineral wool insulation in loose form to pour or blow it into place. But it cakes when wet and settles over time which is why it is less effective in insulating.

Cotton: It is made from recycled and renewable resources, and is much more environment-friendly than any other material. Cotton insulation is safe to touch, handle, and install in your home, which makes it ideal for people who have breathing issues.

Cellulose: It is made from recycled paper and is easily available in the loose fill form. Homeowners use the cellulose insulation to resist damage from moisture and pests. But when it absorbs moisture, this insulation material loses its effectiveness and becomes heavy and compressed.

Spray foam: It is a very high R-value material made of polyurethane. In spray foam insulation, two chemicals are mixed then applied with a hose. Since it involves chemicals, you will need to be careful especially if you or someone in your family has serious health issues.

Key takeaway

Fiberglass may have a low R-value but it is the most popular type of insulation in the market. Whether you are insulating an empty gap or your walls, you will never go wrong with fiberglass insulation.