Discussing Different Types of Insulation

No home is complete without the right insulation. Though insulation is not a very visible part of the home, it is impossible to build a modern home without it. The right insulation in your home can go a long way toward increasing your family’s comfort, saving you significant energy costs, and preserving our environment.
Different types of insulation work toward some of these goals better than others. Some insulation that is better for the environment is not as effective at temperature control. Your insulation needs will vary depending on the climate and temperature range where you live.

What kind of home insulation types are available out there? Which one is best for your needs? Which ones are the most cost effective? This guide to the different types of insulation will answer those questions and more. It will start by outlining the most common materials used to insulate a home. It will also discuss the pros and cons of these insulation types, based on climate and expense. This guide covers three traditional materials for home insulation and introduces the wide variety of green materials available to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional home insulation materials.

Asbestos
Asbestos is highly recognized but no longer used. Asbestos is a good, fireproof thermal insulator, but it causes cancers. Asbestos was banned in 1989 for its carcinogenic qualities. Most uses of asbestos are prohibited, unless performed under strict regulations.

Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)
UFFI is another culprit in the green movement. In the 1970s, UFFI caused high formaldehyde emissions levels in over ten thousand homes. UFFI is generally considered one of the unhealthier insulations, especially if improperly applied.

Fiber glass
Fiber glass is a cheap and effective insulating and weatherproofing material. Fiber glass is made from glass heated to high tempretures and treated with boron and a phenol formaldehyde binder for fireproofing and texture. The glass is then spun into a wool-like blanket material, typically pink or yellow in color.

Fiber glass insulation is readily available and is easy to cut and install. It is important to remember, when working with fiber glass, to wear protective gear, including gloves and clothes that cover all of your skin. Also, fiber glass must not be moistened or compressed. To ensure proper insulation, all ends should be butted together flush and firm. Fiber glass has its share of problems, too. If it gets wet it can transform into a breeding ground for microorganisms. Fiber glass can cause severe skin allergies. Also the phenol formaldehyde binder may release offensive ammonia-like or dead-fish odors.

The federal government has made strides ensuring fiber glass be more ecologically responsible. The US Environmental Protection Agency requires all large fiber glass manufacturers to use at least 20% recycled glass in the production process. This brings up another important sustainability fact about fiber glass. The boron used to make debris glass flame retardant and more flexible is a relatively rare element. Almost all boron comes from only two large deposits in the whole world, so it should not be over used.

Mineral Wool, Including Rock Wool
Mineral wool and rock wool are the once common predecessors to fiber glass. Rather than heating, treating and spinning glass into insulating fiberous mats, manufacturers use iron ore slag or natural volcanic rock. Because of the source material for mineral wools, they automatically contain an average of 75% recycled industrial content. Mineral wools are excellent insulators of heat and are very fire resistant.

Cellulose
Cellulose is a strong contender in the green home improvement world. Recycled cellulose is getting a lot of attention as an effective insulating material. Cellulose insulation for homes is made up of 4/5 post-consumer newspaper. The remaining 20% of cellulose insulation is made of fire retardant chemicals and sometimes acrylic binders. In the long term, the biggest disadvantage of cellulose insulation is its susceptibility to moisture. If cellulose insulation gets wet, the water can leech out the fire retardant borates, weakening the insulation’s fireproofing ability.

Textile
Textile insulation is made from mill scraps of cotton and polyester. This fiber mixture is then fluffed up with shredded plastic for volume and treated again with borates to prevent pest infestations and retard fire. Cotton and textile insulation is more expensive than traditional fiberglass, but better for human health and the environment.

Straw
Some green builders are drawing from history and using bales of straw for insulating exterior walls. Straw is actually quite effective, but it requires special precautions to prevent moisture and insect infestations.

Foam insulations
There are many types of foam insulation compounds, including polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, and polystrene. Foam insulations can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, and respiratory system. Some foams used to be blown with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), but have gradually been replaced by hydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFC). HCFC are not quite as damaging to the Earth’s ozone layer. Some foam insulation is not blown, and therefore does not need CFCs and HCFCs for application. An example of this kind of foam is expanded polystrene, or EPS. EPS is foam insulation in board stock form laid into wall cavities, rather than sprayed into them.

It’s clear that most insulation comes with some risk to the environment. As time and technology move on, more ecologically sound and effective insulation choices are sure to become available. Since building without insulation is impossible, a homeowner’s best bet is to get educated and demand insulation solutions and materials that will suit the consumer and help the environment.

Comparing Common Countertop Materials

Countertops are one of the most prevalent features of kitchen space. Because they are such a central part of kitchens, the size, color and material of countertops can really spruce it up.

Kitchen remodeling is a large and important job for any homeowner. Kitchens attract the most traffic of any room in a home. With that in mind, it is a good idea to choose high quality components when outfitting your kitchen.

What is the best material to use for kitchen countertops? Rather than try to cover them all, this guide to kitchen countertops deals specifically with two materials. We will weigh the pros and cons of two different materials that have good reputations for countertop quality. Those materials are granite and richlite. Granite is a classic stone component. While Richlite, like paperstone and other such products, is a 20th century synthetic material made from pressed and baked paper fiber.

Granite: Pros and Cons
Granite is king of the hill in terms of kitchen countertops. When a homeowner doesn’t have to make any other considerations – like price – granite is the material of choice. Granite sets the bar for kitchen elegance, functionality, and beauty. The beauty of this age old stone enhances the beauty of even very modest kitchens. Granite is a countertop that will not depreciate in value. In fact, granite countertops are considered home improvements that increase the overall value of a home. Granite is sanitary, being resistant to bacterial contaminants. Granite is also earth-formed stone, created from heat and pressure, so it can handle hot pots and pans. Furthermore, granite is easy to clean with mild detergent and warm water. Granite comes in thousands of colors and is nearly as hard as diamond. Granite is so hard, that it will dull knives if you cut directly onto the stone.

On the other hand, granite is expensive. It is true, as granite becomes more widespread it comes down in price. Granite is a porous stone, so it requires some maintenance. Some types of granite absorb stains if they are not sealed periodically. For optimal stain resistance granite must be cleaned and sealed one or two times per year. If you seal granite before cleaning off a stain, that stain will become permanent. The good news is that newer sealants are very easy to apply, reducing the necessary maintenance time for granite. Because of granite’s hardness, it can crack if it is installed incorrectly or stressed. Because of its weight, granite requires additional labor and structural support to install. Often installation costs significantly more than the material itself. Granite is quite permanant, so if you get tired of the color, tough luck. Removing a granite countertop entails replacing the entire cabinetry. Granite is also naturally variable, with differences of appearance in each slab. If you want a totally uniform look thoughout the kitchen, granite may not supply that uniformity.

Richlite: Pros and Cons
Richlite is a representative brand of composite and recycled materials. Other name brands for paper composites are Paperstone, Shektastone, and EcoTop. Some manufacturers use glass and resin composites, like IceStone and EnviroGlas. The most common composites are made of wood pulp combined with resin, pressed into a slab, and baked into a rock hard solid. Richlite only uses woodpulp from managed forests, so it is eco friendly. Richlite does not need sealing, but rubbing it with an oiled sponge every so often eliminates signs of wear. Richlite ages very well. In that regard it has been compared to leather. It looks great when it’s new, it shows wear while it’s young, then it develops a smoothness and beauty as it ages.

Though Richlite ages very well, it is not scratch resistant. Composites like Richlite will will show wear, but develop a patina over time, achieving a warmth and smoothness that stone can not offer. This composite is heat resistant, but only up to 350 degrees, so taking a pot out of the oven and putting it on the composite countertop may leave a scorch mark. Some colors of Richlite may not be UV stable, so if your countertop area gets a lot of sun, check to see if the color you like will fade in the sunlight.

Of course there are far more than two options available for kitchen counters. The other materials include engineered quartz, kitchen glass, soapstone, laminate, ceramic tile, marble, slate, acrylic and copper. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. When choosing a countertop material, there are many factors to take into account, including price, appearance, and durability. By learning to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various countertop materials, you can make an informed decision and choose the material that best suits your needs.