Types of Home Insulation and Labeling

 

Fiber glassA material consisting of glass fibers used in making various products, including yarns, fabrics, insulation, and structural objects or parts. Fiber glass is resistant to heat and fire., rock woolA synthetic vitreous fiber insulation made by melting predominantly igneous rock and other inorganic materials, and then physically forming them melt into fibers. See Mineral Wool., and slag woolMan-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag. insulation provide a wide-range of R-value alternatives.

 

Fiber Glass, Rock Wool, and Slag Wool BattsPre-cut pieces of insulation in standard sizes; batts may have a facing of kraft paper, aluminum foil or poly (plastic) or no facing at all. and Rolls

Fiber glass, rock wool and slag wool insulationMan-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag which is spun into a fibrous form. batts and rolls comes in various thicknesses (R-valuesMeasure of resistance to heat flow. Insulation materials have tiny pockets of trapped air. These pockets resist the transfer of heat through material. The ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat is measured in R-values. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation material's ability to resist the flow of heat through it. The Federal Trade Commission prohibits expressing R-value in terms of inches, because R-value is not a linear measurement. R-values can be added togehter for a total system R-value.). Most common R-values are R-11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 25, 30 and 38. Both batts and rolls are available with or without a facingDefinition One: A thin layer of laminate, usually factory applied, on the surface of an insulating material. Definition Two: A protective or decorative (or both) surface applied as the outermost layers of insulation.. The facing material is generally applied toward the ‘warm-in-winter’ portion of the home to help resist the movement of moisture vapor to a cold surface where it can condense. Fiber glass, rock wool and slag wool batts and rolls are most commonly installed in the sidewalls, attics, floors, crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, and basements of homes.

R-values are on the packing as well as printed on the insulation batts and rolls themselves.

R-values are additive. If, for example, a ceiling requires R-38 insulation, two layers of R-19 batts or rolls can be used. Note: when batts or rolls are compressed to less than labeled thickness during installation, the rated R-value or ability to slow heat flow will be reduced.

Savings may vary. Find out why in the seller's fact sheet on R-values.

Fiber Glass, Rock Wool, and Slag Wool Loose-Fill InsulationInsulation in granular, nodular, fibrous, powdery or similar form designed to be installed by pouring, blowing or hand placement.

Fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool loose-fill insulation is designed for ‘open blow’ applications such as attic spaces or closed cavityThe empty space between studs or joists typically filled with insulation. applications such as those found inside walls or covered attic floors. Ideal for weatherizationTypically refers to free services or grants available to low-income households for improvements to the thermal efficiency of dwellings (typically insulation, caulking, and weatherstripping)., retrofit, or new construction, loose-fill insulation is available in two forms – either processed from a by-product of manufacturing batts or rolls or from "prime" fibers produced especially for blowing applications. Both must be applied using a mechanical blowing machine.

All loose-fill fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation is packaged in plastic bags. Whether pre-printed on the insulation bag or included on the package label, each package must contain certain information including:¹

• The type of insulation
• Minimum settled thickness
• Initial installed thickness
• Maximum net coverage1.  The rate in square feet per gallon (coatings), or gallons per hundred square feet (mastics), at which products must be applied to obtain satisfactory performance. 2.  The area to be covered per unit volume of coating to obtain specified dry thickness and desired performance. 3.  The quantity of loose-fill insulation required to provide a given thermal performance for a given square footage. area
• Minimum weight per square foot at R-values of 13, 19, 22, 30, 38 & 49
• Minimum net weight of the insulation in the package
• Information on blowing machines and machine settings used to derive the initial installed thickness

1. 16 C.F.R. Section 460.12.(a)(b)(2)

• Questions and Answers About Home Insulation (BI409)
• Recommendations for Installing Insulation in Residential and Other Light-Frame Construction (Fiber Glass Home Insulation) (BI402)
• Recommendations for Installing Insulation in Residential and Other Light-Frame Construction (Fiber Glass Loose-Fill Insulation) (BI403)
• Recomendaciones Para Instalacion en Construcciones Residenciales y Otras de Entramado Liviano (Aislamiento de Fibra de Vidrio para Edificios) (BI402SP)
• Recomendaciones Para Instalacion en Construcciones Residenciales y Otras de Entramado Liviano (Aislamiento de Fibra de Vidrio de Relleno Suelto) (BI403SP)
• Facts #9: Facts About Fiber Glass Loose-Fill Insulation (BI456)
• Facts #21: High-Performance Batts for Walls and Cathedral Ceilings Offer Energy and Money Saving Construction Alternatives (BI467)
• Insulation Facts #32: A Guide To Selecting Fiber Glass Insulation Products For New Home Construction And Remodeling (BI473)
• Maximum Thickness Restrictions for Spray Foam (RP067)
• Building Insulation: A Performance Comparison (BI502)