Did you know that the EPA estimates that homeowners may save an average of 15% by air sealing their houses or an average of 11% on overall energy costs?
But, insulation materials and sheet insulation aren’t always interchangeable. You’ll want to know what you may reasonably anticipate from insulation and construction materials. Therefore, you need to understand how these materials operate.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of sheet insulation types and what makes each of them unique.
Sheet Insulation 101: Types of Rigid Foam Board Insulation
Let’s start with some of the basics when it comes to rigid foam board insulation.
The qualities of a rigid foam panel might vary. It depends on the manufacturing process. Three distinct forms of rigid foam board insulation come from different production processes.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
Professionals use continuous extrusion to make this sort of foam board insulation. There is, therefore, the formation of a homogeneous and sealed cell structure. It can withstand the effects of moisture, humidity, and heat transmission.
It’s also more robust and maintains its R-values well, even in winter’s lower temperatures. XPS foam boards are also appropriate for kitchen and basement insulation. After all, they are moisture-resistant.
In general, the R-value of XPS foam boards is roughly 5.0 per inch of thickness. With their unique panels in shades of green, blue, and pink, they are instantly identifiable.
Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) Foam Board
Two face sheets sandwich a closed-cell foam core in a polyisocyanurate. It’s also known as a polyiso foam board insulation structure.
To begin, a manufacturer forms a stiff panel by spraying liquid foam over a substrate layer. Professionals may use paper, foil, and any other organic or inorganic material to make the face sheets.
They make rigid insulation boards, especially for flat roofs, from these components. And, they are frequently utilized in residential construction. Polyiso insulation boards, which have an R-value of 5.8 to 6.0 per inch and cannot be recycled, are the most common.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
Spherical beads are expanded in a mold to form this rigid foam board. The beads are then fused together using a combination of pressure and heat. R-values of 4.0 to 4.5 per inch of thickness are typical for EPS, the most common rigid foam board insulation.
Residential structures typically employ EPS foam boards to insulate their walls, roofs, floors, and attics. Professionals use the outside insulation sheathing above or below ground.
Foam board insulation made of expanded polystyrene is the most cost-effective method. It meets or exceeds all energy and construction regulations. And, it doesn’t deteriorate or settle over time.
However, it’s quite an investment. It is possible to acquire EPS foam board panels of different densities and thicknesses depending on the use.
Fiberglass Insulation: An Overview
One of the most often utilized materials in the United States to insulate houses is fiberglass. It’s also perfect insulation for lofts. The thin glass strands of fiberglass insulation are usually rolled up in a densely packed roll.
Fiberglass is made from a mixture of these chemicals, heated to around 2500°F before being melted down. The molten raw materials move from the furnace into a rotating cylindrical perforated metal container.
The molten glass oozes out of the perforated container’s microscopic pores as it rotates. When the molten glass pours out of the container, it forms thin, threadlike filaments.
The molten glass is then split into multiple small strands by a powerful blast of cold air. Fiberglass insulation batts are made by interlacing these strands together on a conveyor belt. Then, manufacturers sell them at home improvement shops.
Fiberglass insulation is able to withstand heat flow because of a complex production process. As a result of the glass fibers’ ability to trap air pockets, heat transfer through the material is slowed.
That is why installing fiberglass insulation on your home’s walls, and floors may help you save money. It helps by minimizing the loss of conditioned air.
Types of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation comes in two basic varieties, each with its own set of benefits and downsides.
Let’s explore them one type at a time, as learning their qualities and separate benefits will help with your purchasing decisions.
Loose-Fill Fiberglass
Fiberglass loose-fill insulation comprises microscopic glass fiber particles. Manufacturers may blow them into completed wall cavities and attics. Fiberglass insulation must be installed using a mechanical blower.
Architects and construction constructors tend to use loose-fill fiberglass. It’s mainly because it is non-combustible, fire-resistant, and inorganic. Mold, mildew, and fungus can’t grow on this insulation since it consists of inorganic materials, such as fiberglass.
For loose-fill fiberglass insulation, increasing the volume of fibers blown into an area will raise the R-value. In addition, since it doesn’t absorb moisture, loose-fill fiberglass won’t rot, settle, or otherwise degrade over time.
Fiberglass Batts
The use of fiberglass batts or rolls to insulate homes and businesses has been around for a long time. The thickness of these batts ranges from three to six inches. They’re easy to work with and can be customized to fit your specific needs by simply cutting and pasting.
Put molten glass filament on the conveyor belt until the appropriate thickness is attained. Then, cut it into batts R-value rises with increasing batt thickness. Fiberglass batts typically have R-values per inch of thickness ranging from 2.9 to 3.8.
Home Insulation and Insulation Types: Exploring Your Options
Were you looking into attic insulation options or house insulation in general?
Well, you can’t make the right purchasing decision without understanding your market options. Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on the sheet insulation types and materials you might want to get for your home.
And, if you’re still looking into better avenues of home maintenance, you should check out our home improvement and products section for all the additional tips and explainers you need.
