Blow in Insulation Perth is a type of home insulation made from various materials and blown into wall and attic cavities. This type of insulation has a high R-value and can help reduce energy costs.
It typically only takes a day for an experienced team to install blown-in insulation, which is much quicker than traditional options like faced batting or rolls.
Fiberglass is the insulation of choice in new construction, and you’ve probably seen it being installed on building sites or in rolled forms in home improvement stores. It is made from spun molten glass into long, thin fibers that form both the insulating material and the backing of a fiberglass batt. It’s also a good choice for retrofits in existing walls, where it can be blown into wall cavities without removing the exterior siding and interior drywall. However, it’s not a very efficient choice for attics because it does not fill gaps between the attic floor and ceiling framing well.
Blow-in fiberglass insulation, on the other hand, can better reach the hard-to-reach areas of attics. This type of loose-fill insulation conforms to unique spaces and crevices, providing a much higher R-value than fiberglass batts. It also blocks airflow, slowing conductive heat transfer. However, it does not stop air infiltration, so hot or cold outdoor air, allergens, or dust can enter a home through these gaps.
One of the disadvantages of blown-in fiberglass is that it is much more expensive than installing fiberglass batt insulation. It’s also more difficult for homeowners to install on their own because you have to purchase or rent a blower and have the right tools for the job, like safety goggles and a face mask.
It’s also important to note that blown-in fiberglass can lose its R-value over time, particularly if the installation is not done properly. This is because it can settle and create pockets that allow outside air to enter the home. It also does not perform as well in wall cavities, where cellulose is the better choice because of its ability to fill gaps.
Cellulose is made from recycled newspaper and other paper products, and it comes in tightly packed bales or bags. It is very dense and can be blown into attics using a special machine that churns the material with paddles to mix it with air, then uses a large hose to blow it where needed. This is usually performed by professionals specializing in the process.
Mineral wool is a man-made insulation product made from spun glass fibers. It is very fire resistant, and when used in walls and ceilings, it reduces the spread of fire within framing cavities and helps to contain a fire. It is non-combustible and can often be used in places that require high levels of fire safety, such as schools, hospitals and public buildings.
It has the advantage of being much more environmentally friendly than fiberglass. This is because the raw materials used to make mineral wool are abundant, and the production process uses less energy. It also has the benefit of being inherently fireproof, without having to be treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
Like cellulose, it is water resistant, and will not encourage the growth of mold or mildew. It is also inherently odorless and contains no formaldehyde. Mineral wool is stiffer than fiberglass, and this makes it easier to cut and install into a space. It is also denser, which means it takes more effort to move around during an installation. The higher density also means that it is more costly than fiberglass.
It is a very good thermal insulation, and can achieve an R-value of R15 in 2×4 stud wall construction. However, if your project requires a higher thermal R-value, it is a better idea to use polyiso instead. This is because it comes in boards that can be cut to size by hand, and the modular sizing means that it only takes 2.5″ of polyiso to meet R15, whereas it takes 3.5″ of mineral wool.
Mineral wool is also very good at sound-deadening, and it has an NRC rating of 0.95 – 1.05 depending on thickness. It is a great choice for any home renovation where noise reduction is an issue, and it can be used in attics, walls, and ceilings.
Service Partners offers a wide selection of mineral wool/rockwool blown insulation to fit any budget, application, or construction need. Contact your local Service Partners branch today to find out more about which blow-in insulation products are right for you.
Rock wool insulation, also known as mineral wool, is an environmentally friendly product made from natural rock materials and recycled slag. It’s similar to fiberglass insulation in many ways, but it differs in terms of its fire safety, acoustic comfort, and durability. In addition, it is less expensive than other types of insulation and can provide an excellent R-value for your home.
Rock wool is manufactured by combining basalt and diabase rock material with recycled steel-making slag, which is superheated to liquefy them into a lava-like liquid. This molten liquid is then spun into fibers that have the consistency of raw sheep’s wool. These strands are then knitted tightly together, which minimizes gaps and ensures that the rock wool is as dense as possible. This gives it superior compression strength, which is important for applications like flat roofing, where it may be walked on during installation and maintenance.
While not quite as eco-friendly as cellulose, this type of blow-in insulation is still an effective way to save energy and improve the thermal performance of your home or business. It has a high R-value per inch, making it suitable for a variety of building applications and is extremely durable, retaining its R-value for several decades. It also does not absorb moisture, so it is resistant to mold and mildew.
As with all insulation, if you choose to use rock wool, it’s important to wear a mask when handling it. The material can cause eye and respiratory irritation if it comes into contact with your skin. However, this is far less severe than with fiberglass insulation, which contains microscopic bits of glass that can be inhaled by installers.
Rock wool insulation is an ideal choice for attics, basements, and heated crawl spaces. Its density and friction-fit batts prevent gaps that reduce thermal efficiency and can help you reach a more comfortable temperature throughout your home. It’s also an effective way to achieve a higher R-value in walls and ceilings where it might be difficult to install other types of insulation. Your local Service Partners branch can help you find the best blown-in insulation brand to fit your budget and needs.
Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide and the main constituent of plant tissues. It consists of unbranched chains of glucose molecules linked by beta 1-4 glycosidic bonds. Unlike other polysaccharides, each alternate glucose molecule in the chain is inverted and has its hydroxyl group directed above the plane of the glucose ring. This characteristic gives cellulose its strength, rigidity, and ability to absorb water. It is found in the cell walls of plants, algae, bacteria, and tunicates. In addition to cellulose microfibrils, the primary cell wall also contains acidic polysaccharide and a cross-linking polysaccharide matrix with calcium.
Blown-in cellulose insulation is typically made from finely shredded recycled newspaper or cardboard. It is treated with boric acid or other compounds to resist mold, fire, and pests. It is an excellent choice for eco-minded homeowners because it is a renewable resource and requires less energy to manufacture than fiberglass or other furnace-produced mineral insulation. It is also more pliable than other insulation materials, so it is better suited to retrofits than new construction.
It is important to note that cellulose insulation must be installed by professionals to ensure the best results. Amateur attempts to install cellulose insulation may result in popped nails, sagging drywall, or other damage. It also poses safety risks for homeowners because they are exposed to chemicals, dust, and other harmful particles during the installation process.
Cellulose insulation is treated to be fire-resistant, and this makes it safer to use in homes than other types of insulation. However, this also means it has a lower R-value than fiberglass or other more modern insulation materials. Cellulose is also more susceptible to moisture than other insulation materials. Moisture can significantly reduce its R-value and lead to mold and mildew. This can be especially problematic in wall cavities, where it can take a long time for the insulation to dry after a leaky roof or pipe. This is why blown-in cellulose insulation is better suited to attics than walls. The thicker the layer of cellulose insulation in an attic, the more it will slow air movement and keep moisture out.