Is your home or office starting to feel cold as the weather changes, even though you’ve turned your furnace onand turned up the thermostat? If so, you may have aninadequateinsulation.
Insulation helps maintain comfortable temperatures in your home or office building. If you don’t have sufficient insulation, you may be paying much more for your heating or cooling bill than you should have to.
Luckily, this situation can be remedied by installing new insulation. What type is best, though?
We have the know-how you need when it comes to spray foam insulation vs. fiberglass. Keep reading to learn about these two options.
Some Things to Keep in Mind
As you read about these two types of insulation, there are some things you should keep in mind.
First, what is your budget? These options don’t cost the same, so it’s good to know what you can afford before you’re sold on one or the other.
What’s the scope of your project? If you’re doing an entire building or house, that’s going to affect your budget. If you’re doingsomething smalleryou may be able to afford the more expensive option even on a small budget.
Keep these and any other needs in mind as you read about these two types of insulation.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation comes in thick sheetsor rollsof fibrous materialcalled batts. It’s a common material in many older homes throughout the United States. One reason for this is the low upfront cost.
You may save in cost but you pay for itin effectiveness. Fiberglass insulation does helpto filter cold air out tosome degree, but ithas no true air seal. Air will still flow in and out of your house or business with this type of insulation.
Easy installation is another reason fiberglass is so popular.Homeowners can normally install this themselves.Though it’s smart to hire a professionalto ensure proper installation, if necessary,you could do it yourself.
While this may sound like a major benefit, keep in mind that fiberglassbatts can sag and deteriorateover time. This means you’re left with gaps that don’t provide any insulation at all.
How it Works
This type of insulation is made up of lots of tiny fibers of glass. This barrier of glass fibersstops some of the air that tries to flow through it,but it is nowhere near as effective as spray foam insulation.
Spray Foam Insulation
There are two types of spray foam insulation: closed cell and open cell. Both are effective.
Closed cell spray foam completely blocks air flow from inside or outside of your home or office. This means you’ll have better control over the building’s internal temperature as well as your heating and cooling bills.
Closed cell spray foam also adds structural strength to the building. This is ideal for areaswith potential for high winds or earthquakes. It’s also helpful when the home or building could use more support for upper levels.
Not only does spray foam block air, but it’s also resistant to moisture and mold.
Open cell spray foam is usually a less expensive option than closed cell, and can not only be used as insulation but also to help with sound reduction.
How it Works
Spray foam is made of a polymer. When applied, it expands to fill in space.
Closed cell foam hardens as it dries. This allows it to effectively block all air that tries to penetrate it.
Open cell foam stays soft and it absorbs air that tries to pass through it.
Some Comparisons
Now that you know a bit about each type of insulation, here’s how they stack up against each other.
The Cost
When paying for fiberglass insulation you’ll pay by the square foot.
The cost of insulating a room or homewith fiberglasswill depend on how much space you want to cover andhow much R-value you need to achieve.
Spray foam is paid for by board foot instead of bysquare foot. A board footis a space that is one inch thick and one foot wide and long.For example,1,000 square feet area covered with 3” of closed cell spray foam is equivalent to 3,000 board feet.
One board foot of closed cell spray foam can cost youdouble to triple the price of a square foot of fiberglass insulation. But keep in mind thatyou get much better insulationand air sealingwith spray foam.
Length of Life
Fiberglass insulationcan lastseveral years, but during that timeit loses its effectiveness andyou never have a complete seal against air flow. The level of effectiveness will depend on if any moisture is present, too.You may need to replace this type of insulation or add to it as it settles and deteriorates over time.
Spray foam, on the other hand, can last as long as 80 years or more. It’s a much more permanent and effective option. While you’ll pay more up front, the longevity and efficiency of spray foam make ita verycost-effective option.
Sound and Allergy Considerations
If you’re looking for insulation that also blocks sound, fiberglass isn’t the best option. While it will block some sound,open-cellspray foam blocks a lot more of it.
Spray foamhelps to blockpollen and dust too, which is great for people with allergies.
Fire Hazards
Fiberglass insulation is flammable in certain situations. Spray foam can be too. With spray foam, you’lloftenneedan intumescent paint to be applied over it to provide a 15-minute thermal barrier.
Spray Foam Insulation vs. Fiberglass: Which is Best?
When it comes to which is best in the spray foam insulation vs. fiberglass debate,spray foam wins, hands down.
If you’re a DIY-er, you maybe used toinstalling fiberglass insulation. But if you’re looking for something that will last a lifetime, let a professional install spray foam.
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