While it’s not a much talked about subject, adding insulation to your attic can have significant impacts on your home, and one of the most popular types is fiberglass. A whopping 85% of American homeowners are lining their attics with fiberglass insulation as their insulation material of choice, making the glass fiber cotton candy look– a– like the top-selling insulator by a landslide.
In which case, what’s made fiberglass such a popular household staple for the past several decades? Here’s a list of the top five benefits that homeowners who have used fiberglass for their attic insulation installation will enjoy.
1) It’s Both Moisture-Resistant and Fire-Resistant
Among the many risks that come with owning a home include the possibility of property damage caused by a natural disaster. Thankfully, in the case of both a flood or fire, you can count on fiberglass to resist the elements.
Fiberglass isn’t entirely waterproof, as it can get damp or wet. But it neither holds nor retains water, which makes it easy to dry off and put right back up in the attic. And the fact that fiberglass is adept at resisting moisture means that you won’t have to worry about the growth of mildew or mold on it.
Fiberglass is also noncombustible, a particularly coveted attribute given the fact that, in most cases, the process of installing insulation in an attic requires material to be lined within wooden joists.
2) It’s Super Easy to Install
Since fiberglass is one of the most used types of attic insulation, its safe to say that it’s also super easy to install. Whereas some popular insulators are a nightmare to set up properly in your attic, installing fiberglass batts insulation is a relatively painless process.
Batts are conveniently designed to be the same width as the standard distance between studs on a wall, which makes fiberglass insulation installation as easy as unrolling and stapling them.
The thermal performance of fiberglass batts will drop dramatically if they’re cut to the wrong length or somehow installed improperly, so it’s recommended that you hire a professional to install a fiberglass batt insulation instead of a DIY method. Because it tends to be such a straightforward process, however, professionals are likely to charge you less for batt installation than they would for installing an alternative insulation material like foam. You can also ensure that it is installed properly when you go with an insulation company.
3) It Comes in Loose-Fill Form Too
Though batts are oftentimes easy to install, the task becomes a bit more complicated for attics with:
- Awkward spacing between joists
- Minimal headroom and crawl space for an installer to maneuver around
- Heating and cooling units or other cumbersome obstructions situated on the ground
- Pipes resting on the walls
Thankfully, you can avoid the migraine of having to dice fiberglass batt insulation to a specific size by using loose fill insulation instead. Loose fiberglass insulation installation involves chunks of fiberglass that are packaged in bags and applied to gaps in coverage courtesy of a large blowing machine.
4) It’s Extremely Effective
Fiberglass for attics stands at or near the top of its class in virtually every meaningful category. When fiberglass is installed properly, you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting outstanding:
- Performance – Fiberglass varies greatly in density and thickness, which means that its R-value (i.e. the term used to indicate an insulator’s effectiveness in resisting airflow) has a wide range as well. But at its best, fiberglass has an R-value of 4.3, good enough to match and even exceed most of its competition.
- Durability – In attics where ideal conditions are maintained, fiberglass can last up to 100 years without needing maintenance. This is a good 20 years longer than the staying power of the next most durable material.
- Soundproofing – In addition to blocking airflow, fiberglass also has a knack for blocking sound. Even if you have loud neighbors or a heating and cooling unit that won’t shut up, fiberglass insulation ensures that the acoustics in your home stay sharp.
- Eco-Friendliness – Fiberglass is composed of a combination of glass, sand, and other recycled materials, and naturally conserves non-renewable fuel sources. This makes it among the most environmentally friendly insulation product on the market.
- Long-Term Value – Speaking of energy efficiency and conservation, fiberglass has the capacity to conserve up to 12 times as much energy as it puts forth. Get ready to shave about 2/5 off of your utility bills!
5) It’s Cheap
Not only is it effective, durable, eco-friendly, and energy efficient, but it’s also cheaper than most materials. Though fiberglass insulation products are excellent insulators, you wouldn’t guess it from the cost. In some cases, you can find it for well under $1 per square foot. Even at its costliest, fiberglass insulation cost per square foot will unlikely exceed $1.30.
Fiberglass is like a superstar athlete that you’ve managed to retain on a rookie contract: it’s incredible how little you have to pay for the top-tier efficacy. The price point and savings on energy costs and bills make it a clear winning choice for home insulation when comparing fiberglass insulation vs spray foam insulation.
Call Attic Construction to Install Fiberglass in Your Attic
Fiberglass is among the most dynamic insulators and is easily the most cost-effective. At Attic Construction, we pride ourselves on achieving that same standard: unrivaled service at a rate that won’t make you break the bank.
Whether you want us to handle your next fiberglass installation or you’re simply looking for expert guidance before you do it yourself, we’re here to help you with all of your attic insulation needs. We provide comprehensive attic services such as insulation removal, wall insulation, radiant barrier insulation, rodent proofing, and more. Still confused about the difference between each insulation type?
Give us a call for a free quote today! Our San Diego, Orange County or Phoenix insulation removal & installation services are just a call away.
Resources
1) “Fiberglass Insulation vs. Spray Foam Insulation” by Editorial Staff at Diffen
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Fiberglass_Insulation_vs_Spray_Foam_Insulation
2) “Everything You Need to Know About Insulation’s R-Value” by editorial staff at Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford
https://www.todayshomeowner.com/insulation-r-value/
3) “How Much Does it Cost to Insulate a House?” by editorial staff at Home Advisor
https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/insulation/