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Character and Types of Loose-Fill Insulation
The most obvious difference between loose fills and other types of insulation is their form. They are either produced as—or broken down into—shreds, granules, or nodules. These small particles form fluffy materials that conform to the spaces in which they are installed. Loose fills are most commonly sold in bags and are blown into building cavities using special equipment. All three primary types of loose-fill insulation are considered "environmentally positive" because recycled waste materials are used in their production.
Cellulose loose-fill insulation is made from wastepaper, such as used newsprint and boxes, that is shredded and pulverized into small, fibrous particles. Chemicals are added to provide resistance to fire and insects. Also, less energy is required to produce loose-fill cellulose than to produce other insulations.
Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is spun from molten glass into fibers. The glass is typically melted in high-temperature gas furnaces. Most major manufacturers use 20% to 30% recycled glass content.
Rock wool (or slag wool) loose-fill insulation is similar to fiberglass except that it is spun from blast furnace slag (the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal) and other rock-like materials instead of molten glass. The production of rock wool uses by-products that would otherwise be wasted.
Primary Applications of Loose-Fill Insulations
Loose-fill insulations are well suited for places where it is difficult to install other types of insulation, such as irregularly shaped areas, around obstructions (such as plumbing stacks), and in hard-to-reach places. They can be installed in either enclosed cavities such as walls or unenclosed spaces such as attics. Blown-in loose fills are particularly useful for retrofit situations because, except for the holes that are sometimes drilled for installations, they are one of the few materials that can be installed without greatly disturbing existing finishes. Rock wool or slag wool loose-fill insulation is often used for insulating existing walls and ceilings in mobile homes.
In most new construction, however, the more common choices in insulation are batts or rolls because they can be installed without the use of special equipment before walls are finished. Batts are available in standard widths designed to match the cavities created by wall studs.
Loose fills are sometimes used in new construction, though. A mixture of loose-fill insulation and an adhesive can be sprayed into wall cavities before the walls are closed. Such methods may result in fewer gaps in the building's thermal envelope than can occur with batts.
Recommended Specifications by Insulation Type
| | Cellulose | Fiberglass | Rock Wool | | R-value/inch | 3.2—3.8 | 2.2—2.7 | 3.0—3.3 | | Inches (cm) needed for R-38 | 10—12 (25—30) | 14—17 (35—43) | 11.5—13 (29—33) | | Density in lb/ft3 (kg/m3) | 1.5—2.0 (24—36) | 0.5—1.0 (10—14) | 1.7 (27) | | Weight at R-38 in lb/ft2 (kg/m2) | 1.25—2.0 (6—10) | 0.5—1.2 (3—6) | 1.6—1.8 (8—9) | | OK for 1/2" drywall, 24" on center? | No | Yes | No | | OK for 1/2" drywall, 16" on center? | Yes | Yes | Yes | | OK for 5/8" drywall, 24" on center? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Comparative Performance of Loose-Fill Insulations
Insulation materials are compared on the basis of their R-values per unit of thickness, density per unit of volume, and weight per unit of area.
There are several performance characteristics to consider when selecting an insulation material. Among the most important to compare are insulating capacity, weight, convective heat loss, settling and loss of insulating capacity, fire resistance, and moisture resistance.
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