1. The Environmental Impact of Different Insulation Materials
By: Sarah Gingrich

2. General Environmental Concerns
Effectiveness
Suitability
Structural Compatibility
Maintenance Requirements
Production Aspects
Retrieval / Transportation Impacts
Preparation / Processing
Recycled Content
By Products
Energy & Material Consumption
Disposal / Degradation / Recyclability
Environmental Integrity of Producer

3. Types of Insulation Materials
Fiberglass
Cellulose
Agricultural
Mineral
Plastic

4. Fiberglass Different types Advantages Disadvantages Recent Innovations
Batts
Blow–in
Advantages
~25% Recycled Content
Disadvantages
Chemical Binder Used
Fiber similar to Asbestos – Air quality issues
High Embodied Energy
Recent Innovations
Higher density – better R-values
Healthier – no chemical binder, less irritation

5. Cellulose Usually Blow-in Insulation Advantages Disadvantages
~75% Recycled Materials
R per inch
Low embodied energy
Disadvantages
Possible Off-gassing
Fire Retardants Added

6. Agricultural Cotton Fibers Batts or Loose-Fill Advantages
Made from Mill waste or recycled cotton
Does not irritate skin
Disadvantages
Treated with a fire retardant

7. Agricultural Straw Bale Advantages Disadvantages
Low cost
Disadvantages
Only R per inch
Compressed Straw is new to the market

8. Mineral Perlite Used as insulation in concrete block cavities
Advantages
Made from volcanic material
Aggregate
Non-flammable and lightweight
~ 23% recycled content
Disadvantages
High embodied energy

9. Mineral Rock Wool Usually Blow-In insulation Advantages Disadvantages
~75% recycled steel slag
Non-flammable, chemically inert
Disadvantages
High embodied energy
Air quality problems similar to Fiberglass

10. Mineral Cementitious Foam Usually blow-in insulation Advantages
No indoor air quality issues
Naturally fire proof, lightweight
Made from magnesium from sea water
Disadvantages
Not usually a recycled content
Friable (easily crumbled)

11. Plastics Kinds of Plastics Types of Insulation Polyurethane
Polystyrene
Polyisocyanurate
Icynene
Types of Insulation
Blow-In
Rigid Board
Fiber Batts

12. Plastics Blow-in and Rigid Board Advantages Disadvantages
Very high R values
~5-9% recycled content
Disadvantages
Possible Off-gassing
especially CFC and HCFCs

13. Plastics Recent Innovation – Fiber Batts Advantages Disadvantages
100% recycled PET plastic
R values per inch
Does not burn
Disadvantages
Melts at relatively low temperatures
Difficult to cut

14. Different Ways to Insulate
Batts
Blow-In
Rigid Board
Structural Insulated Panels
Insulated Cement Blocks

15. Batts and Rigid Board Advantages Disadvantages Easy Installation
Leaves cracks and crevices  Air leaks
High embodied energy to form

16. Blow-In Insulation Advantages Disadvantages
Fills in cracks and crevices
Can be trimmed to fit
Disadvantages
Requires expert installation
Expensive equipment
Can off gas

17. Structural Insulated Panels
Advantages
Fit together perfectly, easy installation
No holes
Cracks are sealed
No need for framing
Disadvantages
Usually made with Chemical Insulation

18. Insulated Cement Blocks
Advantages
Create your own mix of cement
Very high structural stability
Disadvantages
Uses plastic or Styrofoam
Off-gassing, harmful to atmosphere

19. Importance of Proper Installation
Energy Reduction
Super Insulation
Air Leaks
Air Quality