Properly insulating your home or building minimizes the loss of heat or cooled air. Well-insulated structures cost less to heat and cool, and they are more comfortable to be in. A well-insulated structure is one that is insulated top to bottom, from the attic to the crawl space and everything in between. Proper insulation and air sealing can dramatically improve the energy efficiency and comfort of the structure.
When it comes to insulation, you have many choices of materials. They include:
- Fiberglass (loose or batt)
- Mineral wool
- Spray foam
- Foam sheathing boards
Each of these materials has its benefits. All things considered, however, fiberglass is hard to beat.
Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass has been used as insulation for residential and commercial structures for many years. It is very budget-friendly! Fiberglass as insulation often is at least as effective as costly insulation methods, and fiberglass is often cheaper, faster to install, and most optimal for your home or building.
Whether installed as batt or blown-in, fiberglass is cost-effective and formaldehyde-free fiberglass is environmentally friendly. Made of tiny glass fibers, fiberglass insulation can be installed in attics or used to insulate walls and crawl spaces. It also helps to
- Make your home or building more comfortable year round.
- Reduce noises not only from outside your home or building, but also between different rooms and levels inside.
- Improve the performance of your HVAC equipment.
- Increase the energy efficiency of your home or building.
- Control mold issues.
- Provide fire resistance.
It is easy to install in new construction, and fiberglass is often installed in retrofit insulation projects on existing structures. Common projects that insulation contractors will help with include attics, crawl spaces, exterior and interior walls, basements and ceilings.
For the performance fiberglass insulation provides, it is an exceptional value.
How Fiberglass Insulation Can Save Money
The greatest energy savings come from the first inch of insulation installed, and you can add more insulation to increase your savings. Note that savings from wall insulation are almost equal to those you’ll realize from ceiling insulation. For insulation to work properly, however, the air spaces in the insulation must be maintained. You can add more insulation, but do not pack it too much insulation into an area or you will reduce the effectiveness of the insulation.
One inch of fiberglass batt or blankets provides an approximate R-value of 3.2. Ten inches of fiberglass provides an R-value of about 33.2. According to the North American Retail Hardware Association, only expensive rigid insulation materials provide comparable or better R-values than fiberglass insulation. Rigid materials are not flexible like fiberglass and cannot be easily installed in irregular spaces.
Another way fiberglass insulation saves you money is that it is comparably easy and fast to install. It requires minimal time and special equipment.
Installation
To maximize the benefits fiberglass insulation can provide, it must be installed properly. Professional installation will add to the cost up front, but will be a good investment in the long run. Do it right the first time with Beyond Exteriors. They work with Johns Manville Formaldehyde-free home insulation: the formaldehyde-free fiberglass pioneers, and the only certified formaldehyde-free fiberglass home insulation. Though known for their superior insulation products, Johns Manville insulation is perfect for the budget-conscious customer. Available in varying thicknesses, Johns Manville fiberglass insulation can fit attics, walls, garages, and crawl-spaces, of any size or shape.
Whether your project is a simple repair or a complete home renovation, you can trust that Beyond Exteriors will handle your project with great attention and care. Consult with one of the expert insulation contractors or schedule an appointment online or call at (703) 830-0863.