Why Is Fiberglass Attic Insulation so Popular?
Fiberglass attic insulation is possibly the most popular for modern house owners. It is mainly used in walls and pipes, and it resembles cotton candy in appearance. Fiberglass has some great properties, like the fact that it doesn’t rot and is not flammable, properties which are derived from its chemical stability.
On the downside, it is possible for it to melt provided there is enough heat, and it is not water resistant either. This makes it appropriate for temperate climates, and it should be avoided in arid regions or in wet or damp regions. Fiberglass is also one of the preferred materials of rodents.
There are several forms in which fiberglass insulation is being manufactured, in order to suit all needs. If you want to insulate your walls, your floors or ceilings, the most appropriate form is the fiberglass roll. Very similar to the rolls are the fiberglass batts, the only major difference is the fact that they are precut. Both of them have an incorporated vapor barrier (which protects your attic from moisture).
Fiberglass blankets are another popular form of insulation, and they share one attribute with the batts, the fact that they come in precut lengths. However, what’s different from the batts is the fact that the blankets do not have a vapor barrier. The best use for the blanket is to install it over an already existing insulation in order to increase the R-value of the attic.
You can pour loose fill fiberglass on the floor of your attic. This is the most popular choice of people who want to do a quick addition of insulation to an old building. Installing a vapor barrier is absolutely essential in the case of fiberglass, because it tends to soak up a lot of water, which in turn creates a dramatic drop in its insulating ability.
Most of the people who have worked with fiberglass at one point or another agree to the fact that it is very irritating and scratchy. If you ever decide to work with fiberglass, it is essential that you avoid skin contact. That’s why you should wear gloves and protective clothing, along with a dust mask and eye goggles. Another issue is the fact that some people believe that fiberglass can create lung problems similar to the ones created by asbestos.
Some of the things that you must absolutely do when installing fiberglass insulation include: making sure that there is good air circulation between the insulation and the roof, making sure that you know the exact recommended R-value in your area, ventilating properly. Also, you need to make sure that you install a vapor barrier and that it faces the inside, not the outside. The vapor barrier should not be punctured unnecessarily. However, in the case that you decide to install 2 layers, you need to make sure that you puncture the vapor barrier of the top batt. Also in the case of batts, make sure that you don’t squeeze or distort them in any way.