The purpose of thermal insulation in buildings is to maintain a comfortable and hygienic indoor climate at low ambient temperatures. An minimal amount of thermal insulation is required to protect the constructional elements against thermal impact and moisture related damage. The main aim of thermal insulation in winter is energy conservation leading to a decrease in heating demand and hence the protection of the environment.
Different types of insulation Many types of insulation are available, including the following: - Blanket insulation is the most widely used type of insulation, and it is typically available in the form of rolls or batts. It is used in floors and ceilings, and unfinished walls, including foundation walls.
- Foam board or rigid foam can be employed to insulate any portion of a home, from the foundation to the rooftop. It is an effective insulation method in interior sheathing for basement walls, exterior wall sheathing, and special applications like attic hatches.
- Loose-fill and blown-in insulation involves using small particles of foam, fiber, or other materials to form an insulation material capable of conforming to any space without causing disturbance to finishes or structures. The use of radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems reflects the radiant heat away from homes. Radiant barriers are typically used in attics, and reflective insulation integrates radiant barriers into insulation systems. These insulation systems are used in floors, ceilings, and unfinished walls.
- Rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation is composed of mineral wool material or fiberglass and is predominantly used to insulate air ducts in buildings and in places that require insulation that is capable of withstanding elevated temperatures. Sprayed-foam and foamed-in-place insulation are liquid foam insulation materials that can be poured, injected, sprayed or foamed-in-place. They are used in unfinished attic floors, open new wall cavities, and enclosed existing wall.
- Structural insulated panels (SIPs) offer superior and homogeneous insulation compared to conventional construction techniques. These prefabricated insulated structural elements are widely used in roofs, floors, ceilings, and building walls.
Materials Used in Insulation A wide range of insulation materials is available, including fiberglass, mineral wool insulation materials, cellulose insulation material, natural fiber insulation materials, and much more:
- Fiberglass Fiberglass is the most widely used insulation material in loose-fill and blanket insulation. It is also used in duct insulation and rigid boards. Manufacturers are now involved in the production of medium- and high-density fiberglass batt insulation products, which exhibit R-values slightly higher than the standard batts.
- Mineral wool insulation materials Mineral wool consists of 75% post-industrial recycled content on average. Additional chemicals are not required to make this insulation material fire resistant. Mineral wool is widely used in loose-fill and blanket insulation. The two types of mineral wool include rock wool and slag wool.
- Cellulose insulation material Cellulose insulation uses recycled paper products, predominantly newsprint. It is employed in both existing and new structures, as densely packed in building cavities like cathedral ceilings and walls and as loose-fill insulation in open attic installations. It is also used in new constructions by damp-spraying or installing dry behind netting. The R-value of cellulose insulation is in the range of 3.6 -3.8 per inch.
- Plastic fiber insulation material The main raw material for the manufacture of plastic fiber insulation material is recycled plastic milk bottles. Like high-density fiberglass, the fibers are produced into batt insulation. Treatment with fire retardant imparts fire resistance to the insulation, but the insulation does melt upon exposure to flame. The R-values differ with the density of batts that vary between R-3.8 per inch at 1.0 lb/ft3 density and R-4.3 per inch at 3.0 lb/ft3 density
