Fiberglass Insulation Has Stood the Test of Time, But Can It Stand Up to Therma-Comfort?

Fiberglass insulation has been a staple of heat loss prevention for many years. The commercial use of glass fibers started as decoration for goblets and vases during the Renaissance, but the use of glass fibers for home insulation came to be a common practice only in the last century.

In the 1930s the Owens-Illinois Glass Company and Corning Glass Works developed a method of pulling molten glass through almost microscopic holes to create glass fibers that are pliable and cost effective. "Fiberglas" was officially trademarked in 1938 when the two companies merged to form the Owens-Corning company. It has become so common that the name "fiberglass" is now synonymous with any insulation made of glass fibers. Along with thermal insulation, fiberglass is used for sound insulation and as a reinforcing material.

Glass fibers are produced in two different ways. Continuous fibers are used in textiles and yarns, while discontinuous fibers (or short fibers) are used in batts and blankets. These discontinuous fibers make a thick, wooly material which works well to hinder heat loss and air flow. The fiberglass is formed into pads that are glued to an aluminum foil backing paper. The fiberglass blankets, pads, or batts make great fiberglass wall insulation that are divided into standard widths of 15 to 23 inches that fit between the exposed support studs of an unfinished wall. Fiberglass batts can usually offer an R-value of 3.1 to 4.2.

Another application of fiberglass is blown in insulation. Blown fiberglass insulation is great for attics. You can use fiberglass batts but it requires great patience and detail. Blown in fiberglass insulation requires a special machine to evenly blow the fiberglass material onto the floor of the attic. It takes two people to work the machine, one to work the blower, or "hopper," and one to hold the hose and keep it out of the way of the insulation. This is a good method to create a seamless blanket on your attic floor, but we recommend that blown in fiberglass insulation be installed by a professional. Fiberglass batts have an advantage to blown in fiberglass as far as R-value is concerned. The batts are pre-packaged and a specific R-value can easily be determined. But the R-value of blown in fiberglass is dependent on thickness and location. The R-value of blown in fiberglass insulation is usually about 2.3 to 2.8 per inch of thickness.

Other fiberglass products that prevent heat loss are fiberglass tape, an exterior fiberglass door, and a fiberglass entry door. Buying a high quality exterior fiberglass door does not mean sacrificing design for function. Fiberglass doors now come in many realistic looking wood grains with an infinite number of door styles and stain colors. They are a beautiful addition to your home, and a wise choice for saving unnecessary expenses on your monthly utility bills.

Installing fiberglass insulation is a fairly simple process, but it cannot be emphasized enough just how important it is to wear protective goggles, masks, long-sleeve shirts and gloves. Fiberglass insulation is made from actual glass that forms into small shards and microscopic bits of glass powder. It is irritating to your lungs if breathed in or to your skin if touched. The fiberglass can stay on your skin even after multiple washings. The most damage caused can be to your eyes. If the glass comes in contact with your eyes, wash them immediately with clean water. If problems persist it may be necessary to visit an eye doctor for an emergency treatment.

An excellent alternative to fiberglass is reflective insulation. Therma-Comfort is a unique system of materials made of layers of insulating, heat sealed air bubbles encased by a 99% pure aluminum foil outer surface. This combination of sealed bubbles inside the aluminum delivers a highly effective method of insulating all structures from houses to barns to steel buildings to concrete industrial buildings.

Radiant heat is the largest source of energy loss or gain, and Therma-Comfort reflective insulation reflects 97% of radiant heat. Not only is it a radiant barrier, it is also a vapor barrier. Fiberglass insulation can absorb moisture and condensation. The water then acts as a heat conductor, which defeats the purpose of insulation all together.

The R-value of fiberglass insulation can be increased with the addition of inches upon inches of uncomfortable, irritating batts. Therma-Comfort is significantly thinner, more lightweight, and easier to install. It causes no irritation to the skin and eyes.

The R-value of Therma-Comfort, which is determined by the direction of the heat flow, can be up to R14.6, as opposed to the fiberglass R-value of 3.1 to 4.2.

We stand behind our products at Therma-Comfort. We are happy and excited to answer any questions that you might have concerning your insulation needs, whether it be fiberglass insulation or reflective insulation. We are committed to providing the best service and support so that you can stay toasty warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer. Please call us at (951) 675-1207 to find out what we can do for you.