One drawback is the amount of space each layer of insulation takes up. Their low R-value means you might need a foot of insulation to protect your home, so you have less usable space. They also cause skin irritation for people who are exposed during installation and inhaling fibers may increase cancer risk.
Advantage: Sprayed/foamed materials are excellent for enclosing and insulating existing walls, abnormally shaped areas, or working around obstructions. They are also energy efficient. Disadvantage: Liquid polyurethane foam isn't very thick and contracts with age, pulling away from the framing.
Moisture: In regions with high levels of humidity, fiberglass isn't as efficient at repelling moisture. Roof leaks and moisture in attics and basements can contaminate fiberglass insulation and lead to mold and mildew problems down the line.
Insulation in your home provides resistance to heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs. Properly insulating your home not only reduces heating and cooling costs, but also improves comfort.
Signs It's Time to Replace Insulation
For most homes, it can last for 20-80 years! That being said, like all things, insulation tends to wear down over time. If you are living in an older home and encountering some of the following problems, it may be time for a replacement.
If the temperature is 70 F on one side of a wall and 0 F on the other, a wall without insulation will lose approximately 117 Btu per hour per square foot. Adding 3.5 inch of fiberglass insulation (R-11) will reduce that heat loss by about 95 percent down to only 6 Btu/hr per square foot.
Inhaling large quantities of insulation fibers, including fiberglass particles or the chemical off-gassing of spray foam insulation, can also lead to lung inflammation and scarring. In severe cases, it can even be fatal.
Similarly, if you breathe in fiberglass particles, they can easily make way into your lungs, causing different types of breathing problems. Even if you wear breathing equipment and proper masks, you can develop a cough and irritation if you are exposed to an environment with fiberglass for too long.
Mineral Wool Insulation
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..
The added insulation will allow a homeowner to sell their house at a higher price point. The impact on property value varies depending on the size of the home and the type of insulation installed; however, homeowners can expect to enjoy at least a 2 to 6 percent increase on overall property value.
In some cases, insulation can last up to 20 years without needing to be replaced. However, in other cases, it may need to be replaced as often as every five years. If you're unsure whether your insulation needs to be replaced, keep reading for more tips!
Solid walls are more expensive to insulate, but it's well worth it – they lose twice as much heat as cavity walls, so you'll save even more. Roofs or lofts: An uninsulated house loses a quarter of its heat through the roof, but you can stop this with loft insulation.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Sound proofing: exterior insulation does not only keep the cold and heat out, but also noise. It contributes to the acoustic comfort of your home. Space: as the insulation is fitted on the outside of your home, you don't lose indoor space, as would be the case with interior wall insulation.
Eyes may become red and irritated after exposure to fiberglass. Soreness in the nose and throat can result when fibers are inhaled. Asthma and bronchitis can be aggravated by exposure to fiberglass. Temporary stomach irritation may occur if fibers are swallowed.
One of the best ways to banish cold from your living space is to insulate the attic. Since heat rises, the attic is the logical place to install insulation. You can insulate your attic either by blowing in loose-fill cellulose insulation or by laying fiberglass batts between the ceiling joists.
When insulation is exposed in areas you don't spend much time in, usually in basements and attics, you're not typically at risk of health issues. However, if you and your loved ones spend time in rooms with exposed insulation, it can lead to skin or lung issues.
Inhalation: Vapors may cause mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory tract discomfort. High concentrations may result in headache, nausea, insensibility and other central nervous system effects.
Fiberglass that makes it to your lungs may remain in your lungs and thoracic region. While low levels of exposure will result in irritation, inhaling high levels of airborne fiberglass can cause bronchitis-like conditions.
Exposure Limits
OSHA treats fiberglass as a nuisance dust and has set the permissible exposure limit at 5.0 mg/m3 for respirable dust and 15.0 mg/m3.
Cracks in Walls, Windows and Doors
Around 38% of heat loss in your home comes from cracks in your walls, windows and doors (often invisible to the naked eye). In fact, a ⅛ inch gap under a 36-inch wide door will let as much cold air into your home as a 2.4 inch hole through your wall.
Over time, insulation can wear down. Old age, harsh weather conditions, and critters in your walls can degrade the material, rendering it less effective. If you fail to replace your home's insulation, you may find that it requires more energy to heat or cool your home.
Fiberglass insulation is a popular choice because it is both effective and cost-effective. Unless damaged, it can last 80 to 100 years in most houses before it needs to be replaced.