The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20%–30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. Some less common [...]
Posts under ‘Home Energy Savings’
Loose-Fill Insulation
Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing any structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for places where it’s difficult to install some other types of insulation. [...]
Homes built using an insulating concrete form (ICF) system have the insulation built into the walls
Insulating Concrete Forms Homes built using an insulating concrete form (ICF) system literally have the insulation built into the walls as part of the structure. This system creates walls that have a high thermal resistance, with R-values typically above R-17. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they look just like traditional stick-built homes. [...]
Types of Foam Board
The most common types of materials used in making foam board include polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyiso, and polyurethane. Molded Expanded Polystyrene Foam Board Molded expanded polystyrene (MEPS) is a closed-cell material that can be molded into many everyday items, such as coffee cups and shipping materials, or into large sheets of foam board insulation. MEPS [...]
Proper installation of foam board insulation
The maximum performance of foam board insulation depends heavily on proper installation. Therefore, it’s best to have a certified insulation installer do it. If you’d like to have it installed professionally, you should do the following: * Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the R-value you need. Don’t be surprised to find quoted [...]
Foam Board Insulation
Foam boards—rigid panels of insulation—can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They provide good thermal resistance and often add structural strength to your home. Foam board insulation sheathing reduces heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs. Source: EERE, U.S. Department of [...]
Install Concrete block insulation
Concrete block insulation is typically installed for new home construction or in homes undergoing major renovation. Since installation involves masonry skills, it’s best to have a certified cement mason do it. When using masonry blocks for a foundation wall, filling the block cores with high-pressure foam works better than most poured-in insulations, like polystyrene beads [...]
Concrete Block Insulation and Types of Concrete Block Insulation
Insulated concrete blocks can accommodate many walls in a home. Their cores are filled with insulation (except for those cells requiring structural steel reinforcing and concrete infill), which raises the average wall R-value. The better concrete masonry units reduce the area of connecting webs as much as possible. Types of Concrete Block Insulation There are [...]
Blanket (Batt and Roll) Insulation in the Basement
Blanket insulation—the most common and widely available type of insulation—comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep’s wool. Batts and rolls are available [...]
Moisture Control in Basements
To effectively insulate your basement for energy efficiency and to create a comfortable space, you need to properly control moisture in your basement. Most basement water leakage results from either bulk moisture leaks or capillary action. Bulk moisture is the flow of water through holes, cracks, and other discontinuities into the home’s basement walls. Capillary [...]