Fibreglass insulation is also known as mineral wool or glass wool. It is made by heating recycled glass to extremely high temperatures and spinning it into fibres, which are then densely layered into mats or batting.

It works by trapping air in the pockets between spun threads, and since air is a very poor conductor of heat, the pocket of air keeps warmth in and cold out of the home.

R-Value

The effectiveness of all insulation is rated using an R-Value. The maximum R-Value for using fibreglass insulation in walls is R2.8 [90mm wall] and up to R5 in the ceiling and up to R3.2 under floor [depending on the space available].

Key Benefits of Fiberglass Insulation

The key benefits of Firbreglass insulation are:

Inexpensive compared to wool or loose fill insulation
High R-Values
Easy to install
Widely available
Special varieties for acoustic soundproofing and wet areas

Installation

Car should be taken in handling fibreglass insulation. Long sleeves and long trousers should be worn, along with gloves as particles can irritate the skin. The material can be installed by the home remodeler, but it is generally recommended that a professional installation is used.

The cost depends on the R-Value (level) of insulation required. The higher the R-Value the higher the cost, but the greater the benefit.

Next: Polystyrene Insulation