How Does Fiberglass Roof Insulation Work

Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils.

How does fiberglass roof insulation work. 3 many companies don t own the expensive equipment insulation blowing machine and dedicated truck to perform the work so they promote rolled fiberglass. While fiberglass batts continue to be a widely used form of insulation they don t always perform to their rated r value. Fiberglass insulation can sometimes get compressed causing its r value to decrease. Other varieties would be loose fill which would be the material you see being blown into attics.

Also it comes in rigid boards and insulation made specifically for ductwork. People can be affected by fiberglass when they come into contact with it either during the manufacturing process or when it is being used in a building. If fiberglass isn t fitted in properly it can leave gaps for airflow. In this how it works department associate editor rob yagid looks at some of the ways you can avoid common mistakes that prevent fiberglass batts from performing well.

Fiberglass insulation or glass wool is a man made vitreous fiber. Fiberglass is a popular residential and commercial insulator because of its energy saving qualities and minimal fire hazards. Reflective insulation and fiberglass work differently and one type may be better than the other for specific needs though neither is inherently objectively better for roof insulation. While any type of insulation will work for roofs some prefer foam because it usually manages air flow better and the r values are higher.

Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive heat flow. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target r value and to prevent thermal bridging the heat loss that occurs through the wood framing. It is lightweight yet strong and since glass isn t a good conductor of heat it s a very effective insulation material. How does fiberglass insulation work.

Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity. It is made by pulling strands of glass into thin fibers. How fiberglass insulation works. How does insulation work to prevent heat loss.

Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in. 4 most homeowners are very familiar with fiberglass they ve seen it at home improvement stores or at new construction sites so that familiarity lends towards helping sell it.