Insulation Types | Commercial, Thermal, Fire, Sustainability

When choosing an insulation product, it’s crucial to understand that no single type is the deemed the "best" insulator. According to insights from the Building Sciences Corporation, all insulation varieties can perform uniformly well if they are properly installed and sealed against air. Nevertheless, there are multiple factors you should evaluate when selecting an insulation type.

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Thermal Performance

• Getting more for your budget. Since all insulation types are equally effective when installed and sealed correctly, aim to maximize the R-value you secure per dollar spent. You might find products boasting superior insulative qualities due to a higher R-value per inch, yet any insulation with the same R-value will insulate effectively. Thus, it is wise to seek the best R-value for your budget in the insulation you select.
• Minimize air infiltration. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center and other independent tests indicate that when fiberglass and mineral wool insulation are combined with standard air-sealing methods (like taped house wraps or caulk), air infiltration can be significantly minimized, approaching zero.
• Account for product settling. Fiberglass and mineral wool batts are stable, with minimal settling in loose-fill types. This stability ensures that their thermal performance remains intact throughout the building's lifespan.
• Investigate UV stability. Fiber glass and mineral wool insulations are UV stable, so they won't degrade or lose thermal performance due to UV exposure. Conversely, spray foam may be compromised by such exposure.

Acoustic Insulation

Insulation plays a key role in achieving sound control within a building, creating a tranquil environment or allowing occupants to enjoy increased noise levels without disturbing others. Both fiberglass and mineral wool insulation excel at sound attenuation between rooms, floors, and exterior sounds. Installing these materials can easily enhance acoustic control in interior walls while maintaining existing construction practices.

STC Ratings

• Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation reach a Sound Transmission Class (STC) of 43 as part of a comprehensive exterior 2x4 wood framed wall system.
• Spray foam insulation typically achieves an STC of 37-39.

Sound Insulation and Absorption

• Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of up to 1 (where higher is better).
• Spray foam and cellulose insulation generally reach an NRC of less than 1.

Fire Safety

• Both fiberglass and mineral wool insulation are inherently non-combustible.
• Spray foam insulation ignites at 700°F.
• Cellulose insulation requires manufacturing with approximately 20% fire retardants by weight, thereby enhancing fire resistance, although the final product is neither non-combustible nor smolder-resistant. The Consumer Products Safety Commission mandates that manufacturers inform consumers that cellulose can pose a fire hazard.

Health Concerns

• Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation have been deemed non-carcinogenic by reputable sources including the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the US National Toxicology Program, and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
• Spray Foam Insulation may contain isocyanates, which can trigger asthma and sensitization. There is no safe exposure level for individuals already sensitized; isocyanates are often cited as a leading cause of work-related asthma. Installation requires evacuation of all other personnel from the structure.

Moisture and Mold Resistance

• Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation:
  • Do not require drying or curing phases post-installation, preventing moisture from entering cavities (unlike cellulose or spray foam, which are usually applied wet).
  • Withstand moisture absorption of less than 1% of their weight, unlike cellulose, which can absorb 5-20% of its weight.
  • Come unfaced and inorganic, preventing mold growth (cellulose, being organic, can provide a food source for mold).
  • Available in batts with specialized facings and advanced vapor retarders to facilitate moisture escape from cavities.

Sustainability Aspects

• Both fiberglass and mineral wool insulation:
• Incorporate recycled materials, with fiberglass containing 40-60% recycled content, contingent on the manufacturer. Mineral wool varieties differ in composition; rock wool averages 10-15% recycled blast furnace slag while slag wool insulation offers 70-75% recycled blast furnace slag. Spray foam, however, lacks significant recycled content.
• Are reusable at the end of their lifecycle, a feature not applicable to chemical-based materials like spray foam.
• Do not emit potent greenhouse gases which many spray foam products do.

For further insights on the sustainability advantages of mineral wool, click here.

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