Perth Insulation is the key to saving energy and keeping your home comfortable year-round. It works by slowing heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation.

The effectiveness of a material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is known as its R-value and depends on thickness, density, and age. Good insulators include nonmetallic materials filled with tiny air spaces, like the foam in your sofa or penguin feathers.

Insulation is a material that prevents heat and sound from transferring from one area of your home to another. Its ability to restrict the flow of thermal energy is what gives it its insulating properties, keeping heat in during winter and out during summer. This reduced flow of thermal energy lowers your energy costs by decreasing the amount of power your heating and cooling systems have to use to keep your house comfortable.

The main types of insulation are fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, and spray foam. They range from bulky fiber materials to rigid foam boards to sleek foils. They all work similarly, resisting conductive heat flow between the different layers of a building cavity. Most types of insulation contain millions of tiny pockets of air, which are extremely good insulators and help reduce heat transfer.

Some of these materials also have moisture resistance properties, which can be important if your home is susceptible to condensation problems. Most manufacturers have information on their websites about the moisture performance of their products. If you have any environmental concerns, it is also worth checking how much recycled content is in the product.

Adding insulation is usually done when the house is being built, but it can be a cost effective upgrade for existing homes too. It is essential that the right product for your climate is chosen and installed correctly to ensure it performs well and avoids condensation issues.

Cellulose

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper and other organic material, including cotton, sheep’s wool, hemp, corncobs, and sawdust. It is often installed in old homes as a retrofit or in new construction. It is available in loose fill and dense-pack form. In loose fill, water is added to the insulation at the spray nozzle, activating natural starches in the product, which helps it adhere to interior wall surfaces. In dense-pack, the product is blown dry into closed wall cavities from a special rig. This method requires professional training and certification to avoid improper installation, which can leave areas of the wall uninsulated.

Cellullose insulation is highly effective in reducing moisture issues, particularly in older homes, where the movement of air between the inside and outside of the building is common. Moisture-laden air moving through the walls and ceilings can cause mold, rot, and other structural problems. Typically, the movement of moisture in a home is the result of one of four different transport mechanisms: bulk water movement (rain and snow); capillary action; air movement, especially stack effect; and vapor diffusion. Cellulose impedes the movement of moisture generated by wind, stack effect, and mechanical imbalances, limiting it to manageable levels.

The raw materials for cellulose insulation are 75-85% recycled paper, usually post-consumer waste newsprint and other paper products. Boric acid and sodium borate are also used to give the product fire retardant properties. Although boron is an essential nutrient for plant growth, it is toxic to boron-sensitive plants at high concentrations and can be absorbed into groundwater and the bodies of people and animals who eat or drink contaminated soils and water. In addition, the chemicals are water-soluble and can leach out of landfills into surrounding soils.

Mineral Wool

Mineral wool is a common insulation material that has been in use for decades. It’s known to be softer and less itchy than fiberglass, but it still has some pitfalls you should consider before purchasing.

First, it’s not as water resistant as fiberglass. Any water that gets on it will just ride down the surface, which reduces its insulating ability, unlike fiberglass insulation that will absorb and lose its R-value when wet. Mineral wool also tends to irritate the skin and lungs when in direct contact.

It is made from either natural or synthetic stone and slag materials. The resulting product is then spun like cotton candy and coated with a binder to hold it together. Most commonly, manufacturers use either phenol formaldehyde or a urea-extended phenol formaldehyde binder to hold the fibers together. This chemical off-gasses formaldehyde into the homeowner’s indoor air, which is a health concern. In recent years, however, the industry has moved to low and no VOC binders, mitigating this concern.

The porous nature of mineral wool makes it an excellent acoustic insulator. According to MIMA, the fluctuations of the air molecules that form sound waves move into the fabric of the mineral wool, where friction between the particles and its narrow airways dissipate the energy as heat.

Another positive of mineral wool is its fire resistance. MIMA says that when combined with a special fire-rated sheathing, mineral wool batts can be used to create a one-hour-rated wall assembly without additional work on the part of the builder or the homeowner. It’s also available in batts that fit 2×8 framed walls, which isn’t the case with most other types of insulation.

Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is a liquid that expands to several times its original volume when it is sprayed on walls, ceilings and foundations. It forms an air and vapor barrier that stops heat loss, reduces energy costs and keeps moisture out of the structure.

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is applied by a trained installer using a specialized spray gun. It starts as a liquid and reacts to other ingredients within the container, creating a thick foam that can fill small cracks and crevices. The foam then hardens to create an air barrier that is highly effective.

It is also an efficient packing material, protecting fragile objects of all shapes and sizes, such as sculptures, vases, large fossils, lamps, tables and furniture from damage while being shipped. It is able to fit around curved surfaces and provide a custom fit, keeping items secure in the box while protecting them from damage during transit.

The foam is comprised of many tiny pockets called cells that make it very difficult for heat or sound to pass through them. The cells interlock with each other to form a dense wall that blocks air and vapor from entering or exiting the insulation. This makes it an ideal insulator for homes and commercial buildings, as it stops most of the energy leaks that waste money and create a comfortable environment inside.

Closed cell spray foam has the added benefit of being a green option that uses recycled materials. It is a great alternative to other insulation types, which can have toxic materials such as asbestos and fiberglass. While it does cost more than other insulation types, the long-term savings in energy costs and a healthier living environment should make this a smart choice for most homeowners.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a popular insulation choice for residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial applications. It is composed primarily of small glass fibers bonded loosely together, and it works to slow the flow of heat through walls, floors, and ceilings. It is often used in the attic, crawl space, or rim joist area, where it helps to keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.

It comes in a blanket form, which is commonly known as batts, and in bags that contain standard pre-cut lengths and widths. Fiberglass batts can be stapled into place, or they can be installed using a loose-fill method where the fiberglass granules are blown into attic, wall and floor cavities. Most fiberglass insulation is manufactured with a paper product on one side, which can help to repel moisture, reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew, and improve airflow.

While fiberglass insulation is a common and effective option, it can be dangerous to work with due to the tiny glass fibers it contains. When the material is disturbed, the particles may be inhaled and can cause irritation to a person’s skin and lungs. This is why it is important to wear gloves, a dust mask, and long sleeves when installing or removing fiberglass.

When selecting a contractor for your project, be sure to ask about the safety protocols they follow during installation and removal of the material. It’s also important to specify your specific needs and expectations, so there are no misunderstandings. This will help to minimize the risk of miscommunication and ensure that your job is completed to the highest standards. Lastly, be sure to seal any cracks or gaps in your home before installing insulation to maximize the material’s effectiveness.