Although there are many different options when it comes to insulation, some types work better than others, at least in certain situations. For those who want a very effective form of insulation that has added fire protection as well, mineral wool insulation is a good choice. This type of insulation is created from rocks such as basalt and/or furnace slag. It is sometimes known as rock wool insulation or slag wool insulation. You can get it in the form of batts or blow in insulation.

There are a lot of advantages to using mineral wool insulation. Of course it insulates well, usually about the same as spray cellulose insulation and high density fiberglass bats, but it can also help to keep your home safer from fires since it requires nothing extra to make it fire resistant. This is because the materials it is made from have a very high melting point which is unlikely to be reached in most cases. If you buy mineral wool batts these have a higher R rating than if you purchase this insulation in the blow in format. Make sure to follow the installation instructions, that way there won’t be any problems with the insulation not being effective or any health issues. Since mineral wool insulation does not contain any asbestos, it has no cancer causing properties. It is safe to use in your home, and can make your energy bill a lot lower than it would be if you did not have your house properly insulated.

Although commercial properties commonly use this type of insulation due to its sound retardant and fire retardant properties, homeowners can also use it. There are a number of mineral wool insulation products available for residential use. For those looking for blown in insulation, you can try Amerrock Premium Plus. They sell versions for attic use and for use in side walls, and it can be used for new construction or existing homes. They also make a spray on insulation that contains adhesive. It is called Amerrock Cavity Wall Spray, and you mix it with water when you spray it to activate the adhesive. Thermafiber is a brand of mineral wool batting that you can use in order to insulate your house if you prefer this type of insulation.

Author: Simon Harris

Simon Harris writes about Mineral Wool Insulation at http://www.insulationanswers.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Harris

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If you are told that your attic along with the roof are two of the weakest places in your thermal insulation system it is possible that many may not believe. According to statistics poor (or absent) attic insulation will account for up to 15 % of the total energy loss in your house. Insulating an attic which is generally unheated is vital in the home energy saving process.

What is really the attic in your building?

Attic is defined as the space enclosed by the building wall and is located directly under the roof. As this is an area generally not occupied continuously by anybody (except in special designs and home modifications) it is unheated. Some components of utilities such as water heaters, hot water storages, air conditioning and heating air ducts and also goods storages may be located here depending on the volume of space available. Generally the roof and the floor are insulated though more often than not inadequately.

Areas of heat loss in an attic

Some major points of heat loss have been identified by researchers. For example;

• Roof
• Attic floor
• Air vents
• Attic access
• Poorly erected hot/cold air distribution ducts and,
• Poor insulation in hot water tanks and plumbing

The silver lining in the whole issue is that of all insulations of an old or new building attic insulation is the easiest to tackle. And in most cases can be carried out by semiskilled amateurs as a DIY project perhaps during a weekend!

Types of attic insulation

Commonly used attic insulations are as follows:

• Cellulose Insulation – loose fill
• Cellulose Insulation – Stabilized Insulation
• Fibreglass and mineral wool Insulation- loose fill
• Fibreglass and mineral wool insulation- batts
• Expanded Polystyrene or Phenolic foam insulation- rigid boards
• Cellular Foam Insulation – sheets of Butyle and Nitrile rubber foam etc.

Tips for DIY enthusiasts

• The use of cellulose insulation is currently gaining grounds over fiberglass and mineral wool insulation. The reasons being none other than economy! The thermal resistance value "R" per unit material cost for cellulose fill is the lowest for any attic insulation.

Further the modernized material does not require a vapor barrier (subject to local building codes permitting it)

• The cellulose loose fill can be filled in between timber joists. This may raise dust posing a health hazard. Adequate precautions are advised. These fibres may settle about 20 % over the time. An overfill of at least this amount is therefore recommended. On the other hand stabilized cellulose material does not show this weakness and is therefore better suited for the job in spite of the higher price.
• On the other hand the EPS, PF and cellular foam slabs can be easily cut to exact size between joist spacing and also can be fitted over them completely eliminating any thermal bridges unlike fiberglass, cellulose material etc.
• Handling of Fibreglass or mineral wool insulation should be done with care. Protective clothing and masks need to be worn.
• Check all hot water plumbing insulation and renew if necessary. Continuous insulation through out is essential. Check near the storage tanks for weak insulation and rectify as needed.
• Hot/cold air ducts are easily neglected items in an unconditioned attic. Poor seals between flanged joints, weak insulation in these places and elsewhere, non continuity in insulation etc. may cause high thermal energy losses.
• Another cause of heat loss from conditioned areas to the attic is the recessed light fittings. Caution should be exercised when insulating the fitting as this will also entrap the heat emitted by the lamp leading to disastrous fires. Seeking manufacturer’s instruction is therefore essential in this matter.
• Vent grilles to and unheated attic is essential for proper ventilation of the occupied areas. Special care need to be taken to prevent obstruction of these grilles (generally located at the periphery of the attic floor).

Author: J Mahoney

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various renewable energy topics topics including Attic Insulation . For more info contact http://www.techstore.ie

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Mahoney

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Insulation is the process of enclosing or covering an object with a material that serves as a barrier and reduces (or blocks) the flow of energy, specifically heat. It is essentially used for the following reasons:

-To reduce heat energy losses.

-To prevent nearby objects from heating up.

Below are some examples where insulation is typically used:

-On appliances – stoves and ovens, refrigerators and freezers, water heaters, water pipes, etc.

-On industrial applications.

When done properly, insulation can provide indoor comfort (by keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter) and energy efficiency.

Determining and buying the insulation that is right for your household can be a challenge. Below are some helpful hints on how to go about buying the perfect insulation for your home.

1. What to insulate. The first thing to consider is to identify where the insulation will be installed or used. A personal inspection of your home may be sufficient, but it is still best to let the qualified people (such as your contractor) do the job.

Depending on your (or an expert’s) findings, your household might need any or all of the following insulation:

-Wall/cavity wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation prevents your house from being exposed to rapid temperature changes outside. Studies show that heat loss due to un-insulated walls can reach as much as 50%, and cavity wall insulation could possibly prevent 70% of this from happening.

-Loft/roof insulation. Because hot air rises, heat loss through the roof can reach as much as 25%. This can be greatly reduced with proper attic or loft insulation.

-Duct/pipe insulation. Leaky ducts or pipes can contribute to an increase in your heating (or cooling) costs. They can also burst (or freeze), so it is also important to have them properly insulated.

-Water cylinders/storage tanks. Hot water cylinders and cold water storage tanks also need to be insulated to prevent them from being exposed to intense cold or heat.

2. What to use. Traditional insulating materials that are commonly-used in the households are the following:

-Fiberglass/fiberglass mats/mineral fiber. Fiberglass is the most common and versatile type of insulating material that is made from molten glass and spun into microfibers.

Usually pink or yellow in color, fiberglass comes in 3 forms:

Rolls – blankets of insulation that may or may not have vapor barriers, which prevent condensation in cold areas that could result in damage (such as mold).

Batts – similar to rolls but come in lengths ranging from 4 to 8 feet.

Blown – these are loose insulation that can be ‘blown’ into walls or ceilings.

-Cellulose. Another insulating material that is commonly used in households is cellulose. It is a fibrous material made from scrap or recycled paper (like newsprint or cardboard) that is shredded and treated with chemicals that would make it resistant to fire and insects. It is then applied (poured or blown-in) into place, either as loose-fill or wet-sprayed with the use of a machine.

-Rock wool. As the name implies, rock wool is an insulating material that is made from rock. Manufactured similarly to that of a fiberglass (with molten rock replacing glass), rock wool can be in the form of a hollow brick or a porous concrete block.

-Synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulating materials are manufactured in several forms, some of which are the following:

Polystyrene foam – usually as rigid, pre-cut boards.

Polyurethane foam – usually as boards or foamed ‘insitu’ ("in position").

Spray-on expanding foam – similar to that found in aerosol cans, it can completey seal and insulate even the smallest areas in the house by ‘poofing’ up to as much as 2 to 4 times the original size when applied.

Deciding on the right material to be used for installation largely depends on the area that requires installation. Below are some of the standard insulating materials that are recommended for the specific areas in your home:

-For loft or roof insulation

*Mineral wool quilt

*Blown mineral wool

*Blown cellulose fibre

-For duct or pipe insulation

*Mineral wool mat

*Pre-formed split foam insulation

*Foil-faced fiberglass insulation

*Vinyl-faced insulation

*Ridged foam insulation

-For wall insulation

*Blown-in cellulose

*Fiberglass (batt and roll) insulation

3. Check with an expert. Aside from your personal considerations, the key to finding the perfect insulation for your home is to consult a professional who is knowledgeable in this field. It is still best to check with an expert, who could provide you with several options that would best suit your needs.

Insulating your home may add to your household expenses today, but in the long run, it will not only save you money (by lowering your utility bills); it will also protect you and your property.

Author: John Morris

For more great insulation information and resources check out:

http://www.insulationhq.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris

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