Published March 13, 2024
There are a variety of reasons why one type of insulation may be specified for any given portion of a project. Here’s a list of the common types of insulation and the properties that determine when and how they’re used.
1. Fiberglass Insulation:
- R value: 2.2-3.8 per inch, depending on density and thickness of the material.
- Performance Properties: Made from tiny glass fibers, it’s one of the most widely used types of insulation, with good thermal performance, soundproofing properties and comparatively low cost.
- Characteristics: Available in batts, rolls and as loose-fill, it’s easy to install. It’s non-combustible and doesn’t absorb moisture—making it resistant to mold2.
2. Mineral Wool Insulation:
- R value: 3.0-4.0 per inch, depending on density and thickness—comparable to fiberglass.
- Performance Properties: Made from molten glass or stone and spun into fibers, it’s also known as rock wool or slag wool. Can withstand high temperatures and is fire-resistant.
- Characteristics: Available in batts, rolls and loose fill, mineral wool insulation is generally easy to install. It’s moisture-resistant and provides good thermal and soundproofing properties. Costs 25-50 percent more than fiberglass.
3. Cellulose Insulation:
- R-value: At 3.2-3.8 per inch, its thermal performance is comparable to fiberglass and mineral wool.
- Performance Properties: Made from recycled paper products and usually treated with fire retardants. Available in panels or loose fill, it has good thermal performance and can be blown into cavities, making it useful for renovations and refitting of existing buildings.
- Characteristics: Eco-friendly with good soundproofing properties. Blown-in material can settle over time, resulting in reduced thermal performance. It also absorbs water, which is a mold risk, and shouldn’t be used in wet or humid environments.
4. Spray Foam Insulation:
- R-value: 3.5-4.0 per inch for flexible open-cell structure; and 6.0-7.0 for rigid closed-cell formulations.
- Performance Properties: Expands to fill gaps, creating a tight seal and reducing energy loss.
- Characteristics: Open-cell foam is less dense and provides soundproofing benefits, but is subject to water infiltration. Closed-cell foam is denser and heavier, but offers improved water resistance and structural stiffness. More expensive than fiberglass, and requires specialized equipment for installation.
5. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Insulation:
- R-value: 5.0 per inch, putting it on the higher end of thermal performance.
- Performance Properties: This is the material that DuPont trademarked as Styrofoam. A rigid, closed cell foam available in panels, it’s lightweight and easy to install.
- Characteristics: Resistant to moisture absorption and development of mold, it retains insulation properties when wet. So it’s useful in below-grade areas and high-humidity environments. High compressive strength allows use in places subject to heavy loads, such as underneath concrete slabs and roofs. It’s also fire-resistant and, while petroleum-based, it can contain significant amounts of recycled content.
6. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Insulation:
- R-value: 3.6 to R-4.2 per inch, depending on the density of the material.
- Performance Properties: Versatile and available in boards, panels and blocks, it’s suitable for walls, roofs, floors and below-grade installations.
- Characteristics: Lightweight and easy to install, its low density and rigidity make it easy to transport and reduces overall load on building structures. Closed-cell structure resists moisture absorption. It’s combustible and is often treated with fire retardant to meet building codes. EPS is significantly less costly than XPS.
7. Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) Insulation:
- R-value: 6.0-8.0 per inch, offering the highest thermal performance among the most commonly used materials.
- Performance Properties: Available in rigid panels – usually with foil facing – it’s lightweight and easy to install.
- Characteristics: With good compressive strength and water resistance, it’s appropriate for commercial applications where it will be exposed to weight and moisture. It is not resistant to flame and requires additional fire protection in certain applications. Considerably more expensive than fiberglass.
Sources: Insulation Institute, EcoHome, Homedit, DuPont
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