While fiberglass insulation does provide some protection, it's not as effective as spray foam; the latter creates an impenetrable barrier that prevents air from entering or escaping.
Air Leakage
Fiberglass insulation is less dense than other types of insulation and does not create an airtight seal, which means air can travel freely through the insulation. This is called air leakage and it's one of the most common sources of energy loss in a house.
Some Buyers May Be Uncertain Of Spray Foam Insulation.
If they don't know the contractor who installed it, they may worry that the foam was installed by people who didn't know what they were doing. Other buyers have heard negative stories about spray foam insulation.
Foam Board or Rigid Foam
They provide good thermal resistance (up to 2 times greater than most other insulating materials of the same thickness), and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs.
Spray foam insulation is one of the most durable, effective, and reliable forms of home insulation. It can last a lifetime or longer. Because it is mold resistant and does not hold moisture, it doesn't move around and typically stays put until physically removed.
If your primary concern is the upfront cost, fiberglass may seem like an attractive option. However, it's crucial to consider long-term value. Foam insulation outshines fiberglass in terms of performance. It excels at effectively insulating your home, providing superior energy efficiency.
Fiberglass batt insulation does have some drawbacks. They can be itchy and irritating to handle, and inhaling the fibers can cause respiratory problems. It's important to wear protective clothing and a mask when handling and installing fiberglass batts.
Directly against electrical wiring or fixtures: Spray foam insulation should not be applied directly against electrical wiring, fixtures, or recessed lighting unless they are rated for contact with insulation. Contact with insulation can cause overheating and pose a fire hazard.
The chemical aspect of spray foam makes it very hard for standard insurance companies to provide coverage. Most standard lines insurance carriers want to write the risks with no liability not spray foam contractors that manufacture plastic every day in the field.
Spray foam insulation is one of those many factors that can throw up a red flag to a mortgage lender. For a lender, your insulation matters because it affects crucial metrics such as the home's saleable value and energy efficiency rating.
Spray foam insulation approximately has R-6, whereas fiberglass insulation has an R-value of between R-3.8 and R-5. In general, fiberglass insulation is less effective at stopping heat transfer than spray foam insulation. This makes spray foam insulation a better choice when it comes to energy efficiency.
In many ways, mineral wool is a superior insulation product. It has a higher R-value per inch compared to fiberglass, about a 22-37% higher R-value. It contains 70% recycled material, making it a greener product than fiberglass at 20-30% recycled material..
Exposure to fiberglass can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, or throat. It may also cause itching and irritation when the fibers get stuck in the skin.
Common Lifespans of Different Attic Insulation
Natural materials will inevitably degrade faster than synthetics, and some high grade synthetic materials can last virtually indefinitely if well taken care of. Fiberglass Insulation--The actual lifespan of this commonly used attic insulation is from 80-100 years.
Blown fiberglass insulation scores an R-value of 3.2 to 3.8, making it slightly less likely than rolled fiberglass to prevent the flow of heat into and out of your house. That being said, though, blown fiberglass insulation isn't meant to cover huge areas like rolled fiberglass insulation.
Fiberglass batts can sag over time, creating gaps that compromise performance. Other problems, such as dust or mold growth, can occur if the installation area experiences a lot of moisture or air infiltration.
Fiberglass batt is considered to be the best insulation for attics. Compared to other insulation materials, it is the cheapest and easiest to install. Fiberglass batt is also incredibly energy efficient, as it helps to slow the spread of hot and cold air.
Spray foam insulation can cause bad smells
There's a pretty unfortunate problem associated with spray foam insulation – bad smells, or more specifically, a fishy odour that seems to hang around for months after installation. Whilst unpleasant, the issue is rare, especially if installed correctly by professionals.
Independent chartered building surveyor, Geoff Hunt said due to government initiatives open cell spray foam has gained popularity in recent years. But he called for 'caution and refusals on higher-risk applications' as mortgage lenders struggle to assess spray foam.
Although spray foam insulation has been used in many homes for years, it has been known to cause issues of late with some insurance companies outright refusing to provide building insurance and mortgage lenders not accepting properties with spray foam insulation.
House insulation: The most effective insulation
So having in mind that spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose are the three mostly used insulation materials we made a comparison, and here are the results: Spray foam has by far the highest R-value, which is crucial for homes in extremely cold climates.
Spray foam insulation costs an average of $1.25 to $1.50 per square foot, though it can range as high as $4.50. Prices can increase based on the following factors: Type: Various types of spray foams are used in residential construction, and they each have different costs. Area size: Larger areas cost more to insulate.
Spray Foam is Ideal for Use in Crawl Spaces
Most builders and contractors agree that spray foam is a far better product for use in a potentially damp environment. This rigid foam insulation repels water and is resistant to biological growth. At first glance, spray foam insulation is more expensive than fiberglass.