Insulation Perth keeps your home warm by blocking the flow of heat energy from the outside to the inside. It helps reduce your heating and cooling costs and improves indoor air quality.
It’s available in blankets, rolls, and poured-in-place materials. Some homeowners can install insulation themselves, but most require professional installation.
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most popular options for homeowners because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install. It’s made of glass fibers that have been bonded together by an additive, creating a blanket-like product that’s often pink, yellow or white and has a soft, spongy feel. It’s available in bags containing standard pre-cut lengths and widths, or in rolls that can be cut to fit the area being insulated.
It slows the flow of heat by trapping pockets of air, making rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, according to InterNACHI. It also limits the movement of moisture through walls, preventing mold and other problems from occurring in the home.
Like other types of insulation, fiberglass can be hazardous if it’s improperly installed. It’s important to work with a certified insulation contractor to ensure that it is installed correctly, and to protect your health. It’s also recommended to use a mask and coveralls when handling fiberglass insulation. The small glass fibers can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs.
It’s also essential to ensure that the installation space is adequately ventilated to prevent inhalation of the fiberglass particles and vapors. Lastly, it’s best to wash your hands after touching fiberglass to avoid irritation. This is especially important if you’re going to be working with it on a regular basis. The best way to minimize skin contact is to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and tight-fitting eye goggles and gloves. Those who plan to do regular insulation projects should invest in a respirator with dual-cartridge capability.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is a fiber insulation material that can be installed in walls and attics. It is a thick, dense, clumpy insulation that is made of recycled paper. It is a green insulation option that comes from a cellulose plant source, but most commonly from post-consumer waste paper such as newspaper, cardboard, and office paper. It is then treated with non-hazardous chemicals like boric acid and ammonium sulfate to make it fire retardant and resist pests.
Blown cellulose can be used to retrofit old homes or be added to new construction. It is blown into wall cavities with an insulation blower machine. When blown in, it can be applied as loose fill or as a dense pack to help reduce air gaps and voids. Loose cellulose is a bit more unstable in terms of settling after installation and can leave areas uninsulated. When it is installed to a tested density, however, this settling is less likely to occur.
The insulating value of cellulose is determined by the number of free hydroxyl groups it contains. The more hydroxyl groups, the lower the insulation’s thermal conductivity. The reactivity of cellulose is also influenced by its structure. The crystalline areas of the paper fibers are more reactive than the less ordered amorphous regions.
Because cellulose can be produced with up to 85% recycled content, it is a more environmentally responsible choice than mineral or fiberglass insulation. However, it requires more energy to produce in a furnace than other insulation types. The majority of cellulose insulation is manufactured locally from paper products, reducing the amount of energy used in transportation. It is also a more sustainable option because it can be recycled once it is no longer suitable for use.
Foam
Foam insulation offers a wide variety of benefits. It can reduce energy costs, block outside sound and seal air leaks as well as effectively block moisture. It has a higher R-value than fiberglass and can be used on its own or with other materials, such as wood-framed walls or concrete block in an ICF (insulated concrete form) system. It also provides superior fire resistance, and it can be used to insulate hot water pipes or ducts.
Spray foam insulation is typically made from polyurethane and comes in cans that are sprayed on the surface of a building or wall cavity where it expands and hardens. It can be sprayed in any area where insulation is needed, including cracks and crevices that might otherwise be difficult to reach. It’s easy to use and can be a great choice for insulating attics, sealing holes around windows and doors, or preparing homes for cold weather.
There are many different types of spray foam insulation. Some, such as ocSPF (open-cell spray polyurethane foam), are semi-rigid and sponge-like, while others are more rigid and have a closed-cell appearance. Some have a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from absorbing the insulation.
Other foam insulations can be poured from containers or applied with a brush to large areas, such as empty wall cavities in existing buildings. They can be applied over bare walls to save energy and prevent drafts, or they can be added to existing insulation to boost the R-value and provide a more complete sealing solution.
Other types of foam insulation include cellular, elastomeric and molded. Cellular insulation, which consists of small beads of polyurethane that expand to fill spaces, is typically less expensive than other forms of foam insulation. Elastomeric and molded insulation are thicker than spray foam, making them more suitable for insulating larger areas.
Recycled Materials
Recycled insulation material is another popular option for eco-friendly homes. It can be made from a variety of recycled materials including paper, plastic, and natural fibers like cotton or wool. It is produced from renewable resources in a less energy-intensive process than conventional insulation materials. These types of materials are typically much cheaper than traditional insulation and offer comparable performance.
Using recycled insulation can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your home and promote sustainability in the building industry. These products divert waste from landfills and reduce the need for new manufacturing processes, which contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important to keep in mind that recycled insulation cannot replace the need for other environmentally-friendly home and building construction practices.
Fiberglass is a popular recycled insulator that has been used for decades. It is a cost-effective, low-maintenance option that provides excellent thermal and soundproofing properties. It is also easy to install and readily available in a wide range of sizes and formats. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for both new and existing homes.
Cellulose insulation has become a popular option among green builders. It is a cellulose-based product that uses shredded newspaper and other organic material as the main ingredients. The resulting insulation is fire resistant and does not contain any toxic chemicals. It can be purchased as a loose-fill or batt insulation. It is sometimes treated with boric acid or ammonium phosphate to make it more resistant to mold and pests.
Other sustainable options include Icynene, which is a spray-on product that seals air leaks and reduces drafts. It contains a special oil that causes it to expand when it comes into contact with moisture, which increases its resistance to heat transfer. It can be installed in walls and roofs and is effective at reducing both heating and cooling costs.
Mineral Wool
Mineral wool insulation is made from natural or recycled material – such as rock and slag – and can be used in new construction or for retrofitting existing homes. It is typically sheathed over joist spaces or placed between studs to improve the acoustic performance of walls and ceilings. It can also be used to improve thermal performance in attics and trusses. It is often combined with fire-rated drywall to create an effective and safe wall assembly. Its density, moisture resistance, and flame retardant properties also help to ensure it remains durable over time.
This type of insulation is made by melting natural rocks or minerals, such as basalt, diabase or slag, at high temperatures. The molten material is then spun into long, thin fibers through a process known as centrifugal spinning. The resulting fibers are then sheathed to form boards or mats and are available in different densities to meet specific application requirements.
Unlike fiberglass insulation, which is sprayed on and blown in, mineral wool insulation is a pre-formed sheet material. The product is typically installed over a substrate such as plywood and secured using nails or 3” washers. It may be used with strapping to keep it in place until drywall is installed, but it’s not required since the product is designed to fit standard stud widths tightly. It is naturally resistant to fungus, mold and insects and will retain 90% of its R-value over its lifetime.
In addition to its good thermal properties, mineral wool is a highly efficient sound barrier that can reduce unwanted noise pollution. It does this by restricting the transmission of sound and absorbing it, making it an excellent option for multifamily dwellings and single-family homes near busy roads.