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What Alternative Fiberglass Insulation Can Do for Green Home Designs
By admin | March 17, 2010
Adding insulation in your Green Home Design can help you reduce your electric consumption and more importantly, your electric bill. There are several different kinds of insulation that you can use. This article will help you understand these alternative and economical options so that you can start living in a better insulated home and have more money in your savings.
A properly insulated home or building will keep it warm in the winter season and cool in the summer. One of the most popular that is being used today in residential homes and commercial buildings is fiberglass alternative insulation. People have used this kind of insulation way back in the 1930s. It is made of really fine strands of glass being held together by a thick mat. You can easily find this insulator at different hardware stores or online merchants. Owens Corning has been one of the leading merchandisers for different insulation products. It is usually being retailed by rolls and the price is anywhere from $15 – $100, depending on how much square feet it would actually cover.
Homeowners typically install this to attics, garage doors, ceilings, basement walls and crawl spaces. You can find out how much insulation your house needs by consulting NAIMA (North American Insulation Manufacturers Association). They have recommended insulation levels depending on what climate zone your area belongs to.
Another popular fiberglass alternative insulation is cellulose which has a light density. Some materials being used in this insulator include newspaper, cardboard, straw, cotton, sawdust and corncob. There are generally four types of cellulose products that have been developed throughout the years by different manufacturers. These are: dry cellulose (loose fill), spray applied cellulose, low dust cellulose and stabilized cellulose. These are applied to different parts of the building for distinctive reasons. Cellulose has become a very popular choice among eco-friendly individuals as it has up to 80% of recycled materials which makes it an ideal product for insulation. Though this is a widely used insulator, there are some negative sides to it as well. For one, it contains flammable materials so the other 20% is made up of flame-retardant chemicals which can wear away or oxidize pipes and wirings if wet. The chemicals can also cause allergic reactions so it is advisable to wear protective clothing and masks during installation. Better yet, have a professional install it for you. You can purchase these through manufacturers like Nu Wool and Green Fiber.
Bubble foil insulation is also a great thermal insulation widely used today. This type of fiberglass alternative insulation for Green Home Designs is made of reflective and film and air bubbles. The good thing about this insulation product is it is not limited for house or building use only. A lot of shipping companies also prefer this insulation method to keep their products fresh during transport. Some trusted names you can buy from are: IPC, EcoFoil and Prodex. It would cost around the same as fiberglass insulation. Installation can be a bit tedious, not an easy hook and loop kind of task. An important part of the installation process is to make sure you close up everything nicely as it might affect its performance. A lot of women also find window quilts not just effective but also decorative. These quilted insulators are usually done as craft projects which can add a little something to the interior of your house. Most insulators rarely look good on the eyes, so this is a different step to take that you might also enjoy.
Additionally, using fiberglass alternative insulation in Green Home Designs also has a lot of environmental benefits. Aside from a lovely home that is well insulated, you will find that you will save up to 50 percent of your electric consumption. These insulation technologies have certainly made our lives much easier and economical.
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