The main motive behind proper insulation is to keep the temperature of your home within your desired range. Insulation keeps you comfortable even during excess cold in winter and extreme heat in summer. Many of you might not know that insulation also keeps noise pollution at bay. This article contains all the important aspects related to wall insulation.
Heat Transfers in Three Ways
Radiation
We get heat from the sun through radiation. The only way heat can come from the sun is through ultraviolet light. The sun sends UV rays into our atmosphere. After reaching the earth, this heat transfers through convection.
Convection
Convection occurs when heat transfers through gas or liquid into the atmosphere.
Conduction
Conduction occurs when heat transfers from one object to another object through direct contact.
Radiant Barriers
A radiant barrier protects a house from heating up with radiation. But in order for it to work, you need to do it very carefully while using an insulator. You cannot use a foam insulator with a radiant barrier because then the barrier will not work. A foam insulator is sprayed on the surface, which means heat will be conducted from force to the insulator, then to the environment, thus negating the work of both products.
So you will have to use an insulator that can put up with a gap and does not need to be attached to the surface. The gap will allow the heat to go back instead of coming in.
Types of Wall Insulations
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
EPS has the highest R-value per dollar. Its closed-cell foam technology makes it an excellent insulator. There is no thermal drift or loss of R-value over time, no off-gassing on site. It is 100% recyclable.
The problem with EPS is that it is fire retardant, can attract ants and termites, flammable, and not biodegradable.
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)
Compared to EPS, XPS is inexpensive. Like EPS, it has no thermal drift or loss of R-value over time. It is moisture and mildew resistant with greater compressive strength. It is 100% recyclable.
It is not biodegradable. It can attract ants and termites. It is flammable.
Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso)
Compared to EPS and XPS, it is the most expensive of the three. Its advantages include: the highest R-value per inch. It will be stable over a large temperature range. It does not absorb water and will also not be affected by chemicals.
The problem with this insulator is that it does not work in cold climates. It has thermal drift, and it’s also not biodegradable.
Stone Wool Insulation
This insulator is made by using chemicals and metals like copper, iron, nickel, and lead. Roxul or Rockwool are the two most popular manufacturers of the stone wool insulator. A semi-rigid product can be used inside homes on walls connected to the outer walls. A compressed, rigid product can be used outside homes for continuous insulation. You can use a Safe-and-Sound insulator for interior partitions.
Fibreglass Insulation
Fibreglass insulation is probably the most commonly used wall insulation for extreme cold locations like Alaska. In Alaska, this type of insulation is available in various shapes and sizes. People in Alaska commonly use loose-fill fibreglass insulation as it has an R-Value of 60. Free from biodegradation, this insulation type does not rot or decay. It is made of chemicals and crushed glass.
Comparison Between Fibreglass and Stone Wool Insulation
Stone wool insulators and fibreglass insulators work like they’re trapped between its fibre. With time, both lose their R-value, which causes thermal drift. Stone wool has a higher density than fibreglass, which means it has more trapped air. It provides better sound absorption than fibreglass. Stone wool is waterproof, and fibreglass is not. Fibreglass can absorb water and moisture, which can make it lose its insulating properties with time. Stone wool is fire resistant whereas fibreglass is not as fire-resistant. It will burn!
Stone wool is firmer and denser compared to fibreglass, which makes it more convenient to put up in the walls or ceiling. Fibreglass is floppy; it needs wires or staples to keep it in its place.
Stone wool and fibreglass might not look like they can hurt you, but their small particles can get into your skin and cause irritation. It is important to wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and a respirator when handling both of these materials.
Hemp Wool Insulation
Hemp is a versatile plant. As time goes by, more and more information on how we can use it to our advantage is coming forward. For some years, it has been used in clothes, canvas, ropes, etc. But now its usage has expanded.
Hemp insulation is made out of the outer layer of the plant, which is called bast fibre.
Wool Insulation
Wool insulation is pure and organic. It has no mixture of any other material. The wool first gets washed and dried in a large washer after which it is spread like sheets with the use of a large pendulum. These thin sheets are layered on top of each other and stitched together.
Comparison Between Hemp Wool Insulation and Wool Insulation
Hemp wool and wool insulation are almost similar except for their prices. Wool insulation is more expensive. Both insulations have an R-value of 7.
Like any other insulation, hemp wool and wool both work due to trapped air between their fibres. Hemp sheets are stiff where wool sheets are floppy. Wool insulation will require stapling or wiring to keep it in place, whereas hemp will see no such issues. Wool insulation might win some of you over after learning that wool insulation does not only work well because of trapped air, but its fibres are also good insulators. This is why wool clothing is so famous.
Hemp wool and wool both absorb moisture, but they do not lose their shape. They also dry quickly. As for the fire-retardant properties, hemp wool does not work well. It catches fire quickly and releases smoke while spreading the fire. Sheep wool does not release smoke, nor does it spread the fire. Both products are very environmentally friendly.
If you are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional insulation, then hemp wool and wool both are excellent options. After some improvements, both insulations will work really well. You can use hemp wool as exterior insulation, whereas sheep wool can be used either as loose-fill insulation or if you need to have better stability.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation costs significantly more than fibreglass insulation in Alaska. Also, it has an impressive R-value ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 per inch. Other beneficiary features include the formation of an air barrier when it settles down. The initial stage of applying spray foam insulation starts by applying the liquid. First, it comes tapped as a liquid and then expands to form, filling all the cracks and crevices. After the finishing is done, the material turns into rigid foam insulation. You can also cut the excess material to leave an even surface.
Loose-Fill Insulation
People living in South Carolina better know the “loose-fill” insulation as the “blow-in insulation.” It is a great option for insulation in moderate climatic regions. It reaches certain areas beyond your capabilities. Moreover, loose-fill insulation does not lose its noise pollution-reducing capability overtime.
Concrete Slab Insulation
For people living in moderate climates, concrete slab insulation is a good option. The concrete blocks raise the average R-value of your wall. It exerts minimal stress on the floor and does not require extra fire-resistive material.
Radiant Barrier Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation is probably the most effective insulation method during heat conditions in Florida. Its effectiveness lies in the material as it allows minimal heat to pass through the material. To make the framework more effective, people living in Florida add an element of reflective insulation. This initiative of customizing the material makes a living space cooler and more comfortable.
Rolled Batt Insulation
If you have a limited budget, rolled batt insulation is the best insulation method for you. Being a cost-effective alternative, it is the foremost choice of many people living in Florida. The packaging is in the form of stapled yellow or pink rolls. It cools down your living space when it is installed between the wall studs.
Aerogel
Aerogel might be the most amazing insulator you can find on the market. The only problem is that it is very expensive. Aerogel has many varieties. The most common one is Silica Gel. It is the lightest material on earth, with only three percent solid materials and 97 percent air. Aerogel comes with the ability to change the world. It is versatile. It can be made using different materials. This product will be revolutionary in nanomedicine, biomaterial energy production, nanoelectronics, and consumer products.
Aerogel prevents conduction, and convection, making it a food insulator. Since Aerogel is mainly made of air, it is very fragile. It does not repel water, but with some treatment, it can repel it. It can absorb oil. The amazing quality of aerogel is that it does not impact the environment negatively. It is non-toxic.
Insulating Properties
When two products were tested, one without the insulator and another with it, it was found that the other product melted in seconds, whereas the product on the insulator took time to start heating up.
Usage of Aerogel
- Thermal wrap aerogel blankets are used in historic preservation where space is very limited.
- They are vapour-open so they will allow water to evaporate. Old buildings were built differently. They were meant to breathe. Open-cell spray foam will work, but it is hard to remove so it might cause serious damage to the structure of old buildings.
- They are also used to insulate sub-sea pipelines.
- They are also used in museums where silica aerogel will absorb the moisture in the air and protect the old paintings.
- NASA uses aerogel to capture comet dust.
- As aerogel can absorb oil, it can be very handy during oil spills. Large sheets of aerogel can be used to absorb these spills. Aerogel can absorb more than its weight.
Vapour permeability is the ability to allow the movement of water vapour molecules through the material. If it is used as an exterior insulator, it allows the house to breathe and keeps it dry. Fibreglass is also vapour permeable, but you need to use it carefully. The foil or paper batts should face inward in a cold environment and outward in a warm environment.
Best Insulation Materials For Different Climate Types
Insulation for Cold Climates
- Fibreglass Insulation
- Stone Wool Insulation
- Spray Foam Insulation
- XPS Insulation
- EPS Insulation
- Hemp Wool Insulation
- Wool Insulation
Insulation for Moderate Climates
- Loose-Fill Insulation
- Concrete Slab Insulation
- Polyisocyanurate Insulation
- Hemp Wool Insulation
Insulation for Hot and Humid Climates
- Radiant Barrier Insulation
- Road Batt Insulation
- Stone Wool Insulation
- Wool Insulation
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you think all insulations are the same, then you are wrong. Some insulations work in all climates, but some are good only for specific climates. Before deciding on your insulation, check its properties and if it will serve the purpose of your requirement.
