Reflective insulation and fiberglass work differently and one type may be better than the other for specific needs though neither is inherently objectively better for roof insulation.
How does fiberglass roof insulation work.
Fiberglass insulation or glass wool is a man made vitreous fiber.
Also it comes in rigid boards and insulation made specifically for ductwork.
Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity.
3 many companies don t own the expensive equipment insulation blowing machine and dedicated truck to perform the work so they promote rolled fiberglass.
How does fiberglass insulation work.
Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in.
It is made by pulling strands of glass into thin fibers.
It is lightweight yet strong and since glass isn t a good conductor of heat it s a very effective insulation material.
Other varieties would be loose fill which would be the material you see being blown into attics.
There are however a few dangers associated with the installation of fiberglass if you are considering installing fiberglass insulation in your home here are a few dangers to know before you get started.
The more common formats of fiberglass insulation are the batts most people are familiar with as well as rolls of insulation.
While any type of insulation will work for roofs some prefer foam because it usually manages air flow better and the r values are higher.
How does insulation work to prevent heat loss.
4 most homeowners are very familiar with fiberglass they ve seen it at home improvement stores or at new construction sites so that familiarity lends towards helping sell it.
If fiberglass isn t fitted in properly it can leave gaps for airflow.
Fiberglass insulation can sometimes get compressed causing its r value to decrease.
Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils.
Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive heat flow.
While fiberglass batts continue to be a widely used form of insulation they don t always perform to their rated r value.
How fiberglass insulation works.
Fiberglass is a composite material made of a plastic matrix reinforced by tiny glass fibers.
In this how it works department associate editor rob yagid looks at some of the ways you can avoid common mistakes that prevent fiberglass batts from performing well.