Spray Foam vs. Fiberglass Insulation: a Comparison
When it comes to building and maintaining the health of a home, homeowners find themselves facing an important decision – what insulation should one choose? Spray foam insulation is the new, popular material on the market that countless new homes are using while fiberglass is an older, popular option in its own right. In this article, we are going to get into various important factors to help you make your choice, such as thermal conductivity, durability, and environmental friendliness.
Temperature Insulation
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an insulation material is the main reason it’s used for – its ability to insulate the heat in your home. The main way that this is measured is in R-value. When it comes to that, fiberglass has an R-value that ranges from 2.2 to 3.8. Closed-cell spray foam wins hands down on that count, with an R-value of 6 to 7 per inch.
Then there is the characteristic of thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity is measured in units of W/(mK) and indicates how easily heat transfers through a material. The lower the thermal conductivity value, the better the insulator the material is. Polystyrene foam has a lower thermal conductivity than fiberglass. The typical thermal conductivity value for foam is 0.030 to 0.035 W/(mK), and for fiberglass, it is 0.040 to 0.048 W/(mK).
Protecting the Home or Building
Another crucial characteristic of insulation materials is their ability to protect the inhabitants or occupants from any undesirable or harmful outside influences.
Moisture Resistance
The pray foam closed cell structure renders it virtually waterproof, preventing moisture absorption and susceptibility to rot or mold. This property makes basement, attic, and crawl space spray foam insulation far and away the best choice due to their common moisture issues. By contrast, fiberglass gets wet quite easily and can remain so for extended periods of time, during which its insulation power decreases and the structure of the home can become damaged as a result.
This is because spray foam is easy to install. For that reason, particularly open-cell spray foam is great at reaching into all of those tiny crevices, cracks, and hard-to-reach spaces and expanding to up to 100 times its size. Meanwhile, fiberglass requires a vapor barrier to prevent moisture accumulation, is more challenging to install, and requires special equipment. For optimal protection and comfort in basements and crawl spaces, foam is certainly the insulation material of choice.
Rodent and Insect Protection
Because spray foam is so air-tight, it prevents any way of rodents or insects from crawling through it. It contains no nutrients and does not provide any shelter. Fiberglass, by contrast, though resistant to pests, provides a place for them to nest and cause damage both to the insulation and the home itself.
Structural Stability
Spray foam insulation (closed cell and open cell) retains its size and shape over time without compacting or deforming. This guarantees consistent thermal insulation throughout the life of the building.
Durability
Foam is a durable material that can withstand significant loads without damage. This makes it suitable for use in a variety of structures, including walls, floors, and roofs. Foam’s durability also provides consistent insulation and reduces the need to replace or repair insulation in the future, resulting in savings, longer-term spray foam R value ot enjoy, and improved energy efficiency. On top of that, spray foam also lasts 30 to 50 years, which is twice as long as fiberglass.
Health and Safety
Fiberglass insulation can pose health and safety risks due to its fine glass fibers that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Handling it necessitates protective clothing and masks to prevent fiber inhalation.
Fire Resistance
As far as insulation materials are concerned, fiberglass is among the best. As for spray foam, though it ignites at a higher temperature than cellulose for example, it burns at a lower temperature than fiberglass. That said, because less spray foam insulation vs fiberglass is required to be used in installation, it will provide less fuel for the fire to burn.
Environmental Friendliness
We only have one planet and that’s why when completing any construction-related project, one of the first concerns has to be for the environment and those living in the property.
Recyclability
Currently, as an older material, fiberglass already has more established recycling processes and facilities available. However, advancements in recycling technologies and increased awareness of sustainability have led to similar treatment of spray foam materials as well. It can be reused in a variety of products, reducing its impact on landfills. Some foams are made from renewable resources, such as cornstarch and soybean oil.
Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Spray foam production over its lifetime results in fewer greenhouse gases being produced since it requires less energy to heat the home. The R value of spray foam insulation keeps the home warm or air-conditioned as needed. This is despite the fact that the initial installation of spray foam requires more emissions. There is an interesting study we covered on this topic that you can read.
Soundproofing
Spray foam insulation (closed cell) has lower sound absorption rates compared to fiberglass. Its dense structure prevents the passage of sound waves and enhances spray foam sound insulation. Fiberglass works best to reduce impact noise, while spray foam does a better job of reducing airborne noise.
Ease of Installation
An insulation spray foam kit makes it easy to install polyurethane on your own and cut to the desired shape to render it uniform. This renders it very suitable for do it yourself spray foam insulation. When you compare the ease of handling spray foam insulation vs fiberglasss, meanwhile, it’s more challenging, due to the fibers’ potential to irritate the skin and eyes. Though polyurethane requires using a closed cell spray foam kit and protective gear as well, its adaptability allows you to not only initially install it yourself but also go back later should any problems be discovered and reapply the spray foam to cover whatever additional aspects that need to be sprayed on.
Final Thoughts
When deciding between foam and fiberglass insulation, it’s crucial to consider your project’s specific requirements and priorities. On the whole, it’s hard to deny that there has been a changing of the guards as polyurethane spray foam, a newer, more efficient material for fortifying your home’s envelope has emerged and begun to dominate insulation in new homes. It saves you money, better protects you, and is kinder to the environment.
Consulting with a professional spray foam insulation companyh is advised in order to best assess your needs and determine the optimal insulation material for your home or building. When it comes to progressive, green spray foam insulation materials, Ecothermix is ahead of the curb and provides some of the sturdiest insulation in America. When you contact us for a free appointment, our professional will come survey your home, help you decide on your insulation project, and use his spray foam insulation cost calculator to provide your a ballpark estimate.
A more comfortable home is just a visit away.
Get in touch with Ecothermix to set an appointment today.
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