5 Things to Know Before Buying Glass Wool Roof Insulation

We're always looking for ways to save money at home, particularly during costly renovations.

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When it comes to keeping a house warm, glass wool insulation uses melted, spun glass for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional insulation options, such as mineral wool.

But how do you know if it's right for your home before investing? And what are the pros and cons? We spoke to construction and insulation experts for their thoughts, so you can keep your house warm without turning up the heat.

What is glass wool insulation – and how to know if it's right for your home

What is glass wool insulation?

During house-builds and renovations, one of the main things to consider is insulation to keep rising energy costs as low as possible. Consider all areas, including insulating a basement ceiling or even insulating a crawl space.

Using traditional materials such as mineral wool, available at Amazon can be costly, so glass wool is an effective, cheaper alternative you may not have heard of before.

'Glass wool insulation is a fun name for fiberglass insulation,' says Josh Rudin, owner at ASAP Restoration LLC, with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. 'It is a blend of glass filaments and fibers made from spun melted glass at extremely high temperatures.'

The fine glass fibers then trap air to reduce heat transfer, holding warmth into your home. 'It's inexpensive, fire-resistant, and easy to install,' adds Jerome Bertuglia, owner of a residential construction company, Prime Homes, Inc., with over 30 years of experience with glass wool insulation.

What are the pros of glass wool insulation?

One of the most attractive pros of using glass wool insulation is that it is cheaper than traditional alternatives, and can be used to keep your attic at a comfortable temperature year round.

'Glass wool insulation is a very effective insulation, mainly for dry areas of the country,' says Matt Balducci, co-owner & CEO of HomeHero Roofing. 'The major "pro" of this material is that it insulates very well, keeping your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer.'

Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent to Own Labs also points out that it's simple to install, so can be used for any DIY renovation projects. He says, 'It's easy for homeowners to install themselves, making it a great option for DIY projects to retrofit attics and basements,' and it will save you money on home renovations and add value to your home, too. It's also highly fire resistant, so can be used to ensure your attic is safe.

And, if you're wondering why your heating is so expensive, Jason Hedtler, owner of Hedtler Roofing LLC, assures, 'I've found that in attics, glass wool cuts energy bills up to 25% in Massachusetts.'

What are the cons of glass wool insulation?

So, with so many pros, what are the cons of using glass wool insulation in your home?

Importantly, glass wool is not water-resistant. 'In fact if fiberglass insulation gets wet at all it will nearly instantly lose it’s insulation properties and at the same time become a substrate for old and mildew growth to run rampant,' says Rudin.

Owing to this, it loses effectiveness over time, and may need replacing more regularly than other alternatives. This is important if you live in a humid area. 'It is mainly suitable for areas without high humidity, since in damp conditions this insulating material will not work as well,' warns Balducci.

If you do attempt to DIY install this insulation, it is also prudent to note that glass wool insulation will cause extreme skin irritation. While there is no evidence that fiberglass poses severe risks like asbestos, there is still ongoing debate. 'One warning: protect yourself when handling this material,' says Orefice. 'The glass fibers can easily get into your skin, causing irritation.'

Be sure to wear fiberglass protection gloves, available at specialist stores, safety goggles such as the DEWALT DPG82-11 Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle available at Amazon, and a mask, such as the N95 Sanding and Fiberglass Disposable Respirator with Cool Flow Valve available at Home Depot.

Because of this, you may be wondering if you should hire a handyman. If you choose to, our essential guide to attic conversions is filled with handy advice from the pros, before you find a good contractor for your next project.

How do you know whether glass wool insulation is right for your home?

The first thing to consider is where you live – if your home is somewhere humid, rule out glass wool insulation immediately.

'To determine if it’s right for you, consider your budget, and whether you’re insulating an attic or walls,' says Bertuglia. 'In colder areas, higher R-values are better.'

The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more thermally resistant your home will be. 'For attics, loose-fill glass wool is common; for walls, batts or blankets are typical,' adds Bertuglia.

'In my experience, glass wool suits many homes in Massachusetts if attic R-values of R-38 and wall R-values of R-13 are used,' says Hedtler. 'Higher R-values provide better insulation for the cost in cold weather. With proper thickness and professional installation, glass wool can lower heating bills despite downsides.

For the price, it's hard to beat if installed correctly.'

FAQs

What is the safest insulation to breathe in?

Insulation gets a bad reputation for being harmful to breathe in, but if you want a non-toxic option mineral wool or foam insulation inserts can be used, although foam inserts often contain formaldehyde. If you're looking for sustainable home renovation tips, our expert-led guide suggests ways to make your home more eco-friendly with features of sustainable design.

To stay safe, wear a protective mask during installation,

Studies show that poor insulation can cause around 25 percent – 30 percent of energy loss. One of the simplest ways to reduce heat loss and carbon emissions, advance home energy efficiency, surge home value, and reduce heating bills is definitely through roof insulation. In addition to this, insulating your roof can help in maintaining a pleasant indoor temperature in both summer and winter season, it can limit the formation of moisture inside the house, maintain a healthy interior, and most importantly protect the interior from heat.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Geyu Energy Saving sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

In this blog, we aim to highlight the 5 most important things around Roof Insulation that you may want to know, keep reading.

1] What Is Roof Insulation?

Unquestionably, the roof is an integral part of any building structure as it protects the structure against extreme weather. Without it, the walls and even the foundation of any structure are defenseless to damage. A roof that is well-maintained can act as an excellent defense element for the building shielding it from all harsh elements – hence roof insulation is imperative.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy heating and cooling home accounts for approximately 48 percent of the overall energy consumption. And a typical house loses nearly 44 percent of the available energy to poor insulation. Explaining in simple words, deprived of any material blocking it, warm air would rise upwards naturally and cold air will descend – Resulting in abrupt interior temperatures. There may also be significant heat gains through roofs during the summer. This means that insulating a loft, attic or roof is a simple and effective way of reducing heat loss, the size of heating and cooling systems, energy usage and so carbon emissions. Hence if you wish to improve energy efficiency in a home, you would need to work on your home insulation.

Here is a simple video that explains roof insulation:

https://youtu.be/yOLRh8BqVS4

2] Different Types Of Roof Insulation

There is a range of different materials available that are easily available for roof insulation, few of which are comparatively cheap and can be installed without any specialist expertise:

·Blanket Insulation Or Matting Insulation

One of the most common and easiest to install is blanket insulation. These generally come in foil-backed rolls or rafters, and are held in place using timber battens between the rafters or joists. Blanket insulation is usually made of glass wool or mineral but sometimes these are also made from plastic fibers and natural fibers like cotton and sheep’s wool.

·Foam Boards

Rigid panels of insulation that are first cut and then fitted in place. Commonly foam boards are made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane.

·Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers constrain heat transfer by thermal radiation and are more effective in hot climatic conditions. These can be easily stapled to the underside of the rafters. According to studies, this type of roof insulation can significantly gain heat.

·Blown-In Insulation

This type of insulation involves cellulose mineral fibers being blown into a void in the roof space. These demand specialist equipment and expertise, but again, these are very quick to install and are very effective for spaces that have limited access, like the gaps between roof joists.

·Spray Foam Insulation

Here, spray foam is formed of polyurethane, and then it is sprayed as a liquid which slowly expands to up to 100 times its original volume. Once it sets, it creates an effective thermal and noise insulating layer.

3] Advantages Of Insulation

As a homeowner, there are multiple reasons to insulate, here are a few:

• Energy and cost efficiency – With efficient insulation, you will save energy and money. Around 30 percent of a building’s heat loss is in the roofing. When an efficient insulation system is properly installed, you are saving both.
• Adds an additional layer of protection – It prevents damage in the long run that can potentially come from moisture and ice dams.
• Reduces carbon footprint – Insulating your roof is one of the most important energy-saving projects you can complete in your home. Studies suggest that efficient insulation reduces CO2 emissions which aid in combating air pollution.
• Prevents the growth of molds – Insulation is the best tool to prevent molds from forming. Because insulation manages the temperature and moisture of a building, it directly affects the growth of molds.

Roof insulation may add to your expenses during construction for now, but soon you would see that you are getting more returns in the term of savings in the long-run.

4] Roof Insulation – Inside Vs Outside

The insulation of your roof can be done either from inside or outside:

Insulating your roof from the outside has many advantages. In addition to avoiding emptying any rooms in the attic, insulation from the outside does not cause a decrease in your living space and limits the risk of thermal bridges. This is a preferred solution if you are renovating a facade or roof. Among other benefits, this technique leaves the frame apparent from the attic.

Insulation from the inside is a suitable solution, mainly in new construction. This roof insulation method is ideal if you have not yet fitted out the attic and allows you to keep the roof covering system unscathed.

5] Things To Consider Before A Roofing Insulation Installation

If you feel that you need roofing insulation, here are a few things you should know and consider more things to know.

• Insulate Flat Roof From Above

A flat roof should if possible be insulated from above. A layer of rigid insulation board could be added either on top of the roof’s weatherproof layer or directly on top of the timber roof surface, with a new weatherproof layer on top of the insulation.

• Decide Whether To Insulate Your Attic Floor Or Roof

If you plan to utilize your attic space as a bedroom, you need to keep it warm as the rest of the house. In that case, insulate the roof. But if you don’t use your attic, you can insulate the floor. This option is easier and more affordable. Insulating both the attic floor and the roof is possible. Just keep in mind that this process is difficult and expensive.

• Get A Roof Replacement During The Fall Season

Fall makes a perfect time to replace your old roof. Your roofing contractor can do a roof insulation foam installation at the same time. This prepares your roof for the winter. With new roofing insulation, you save on winter heating.

• Beware Of Fire Hazards

Find a qualified and legit roofing contractor that knows how to install roof insulation foil or your preferred material. Incorrect installation can create fire hazards.

In The End…

When you are considering a new roof, do not overlook the importance that insulation plays in the endurance of your home.

Also Read – 6 Best Cool Roofing Materials for Warmer Climates

Wienerberger India offers roofing solutions that ensure protection from heat and moisture with long-lasting results. Our systems provide roofing over homes in South India. Their quick and easy installation makes them extremely desirable for home-constructions. Additionally, we include underlays, insulating materials and other such accessories.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Glass Wool Roof Insulation.