Term
Definition/Explanation
1 f/cc
One fiber per cubic centimeter of air. On this site, 1 f/cc refers to the permissible exposure limit identified as the appropriate exposure level for fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulation products to significantly reduce potential irritation to throat and eyes.
Batts
Pre-cut pieces of fiber glass insulation; batts may have a facing of paper or aluminum foil.
Blow-in-Blanket Systems® (BIBS)
A patented application process that combines loose-fill insulation with a fine adhesive mist, then blows it into a home's cavities behind netting.
Cavity
The empty space between studs or joists to place insulation batts.
Emissivity
A measure of the ability of a material to radiate energy. It is expressed as a ratio (decimal) of the radiating ability of a given material to that of a black body. A black body emits radiation at the maximum possible rate at any given temperature, and has an emissivity of 1.0.
Energy Audit
A thorough assessment of a home’s thermal efficiency, often conducted free of charge by most utility companies.
Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)
A special type of mortgage that takes into account the monthly operating cost savings realized by living in an energy-efficient home, thereby enabling mortgage underwriting guidelines to be adjusted to reflect the economic effect of lower monthly payments for energy.
Face Staple
Stapling facing flange to the front side of a stud or rafter, along the 1-1/2" dimension.
Faced Insulation
Insulation with an attached vapor retarder (kraft paper or foil-backed paper).
Fiber Glass or Glass Fibers
Glass in a strand form.
Fiber Glass Insulation
An effective resistor of heat flow that is spun from molten sand and recycled glass into fibers.
High-Performance Insulation
Fiber glass insulation with densely packed fibers, resulting in higher R-values for a given thickness. Most commonly used in confined spaces such as walls or cathedral ceilings.
HSPP
Health and Safety Partnership Program, NAIMA’s voluntary worker protection program developed in concert with OSHA.
HVAC
Acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning systems
Inset Staple
Stapling to the inside portion of the stud or rafter.
Insulation Density
Denser insulation products have more fibers per square inch and, therefore, give you greater insulating power through higher R-values.
Insulation
A material used to separate the interior of your home from the outside environment, thereby preventing the transfer of heat.
Loose-Fill Insulation
Particulate insulation, made from either fiber glass or cellulose, that is blown into a home using a motor and hose
Man-Made Vitreous Fibers (MMVF)
(See also SVF) A generic term for a group of man-made materials reflecting the glassy, non-crystalline nature of these materials. This group was historically referred to as man-made vitreous fibers. Most definitions include fiber glass and rock and slag wool products used to make insulation in this category.
Mineral Wool
A broad term used to refer rock wool and slag wool.
NAIMA
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, a trade organization representing manufacturers of fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulation products in North America.
R-Value
Measure 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.
Rock Wool
Man-made material comprised of natural minerals like basalt or diabase.
Slag wool
Man-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag.
Synthetic Vitreous Fibers (SVF)
(See also MMVF) A generic term for a group of man-made materials reflecting the glassy, non-crystalline nature of these materials. This group was historically referred to as man-made vitreous fibers. Most definitions include fiber glass and rock and slag wool products used to make insulation in this category.
Sound Transmission Class (STC)
A numerical rating of the sound control performance of a wall or ceiling; the higher the number, the better the sound control.
Stapling Flange
A protruding edge on faced insulation used to staple the insulation to the framing.
Unfaced Insulation
Insulation with no attached vapor retarder.
Vapor Retarder
Helps control the amount of moisture passing through the insulation and collecting inside exterior walls, ceilings and floors.