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Formaldehyde-free Fiberglass Insulation
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If fiberglass insulation is your choice consider using a formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation to eliminate one of these potential health issues. Formaldehyde has no thermal or acoustical value therefore does not affect the insulating quality of the product.
Most fiberglass products use phenol formaldehyde as a binder which should be avoided because the formaldehyde out-gasses, contributing to indoor air quality problems. There are options using formaldehyde-free binders or no binders at all. Fiberglass is also a skin and respiratory irritant as airborne fibers are small enough to be inhaled and lodge in the lungs. Also, airborne fibers are a suspected carcinogenic hazard. Some manufacturers attempt to mitigate this by encapsulating the batts in plastic wrap.
One product even uses twisted fiberglass fibers that are enmeshed which eliminates the need for a binder. The fibers are not as friable, reducing concerns about loose airborne fibers. However, both methods of reducing airborne fibers can be subdued when batts are cut to fit into nonstandard joists. In response to that, manufacturers created another product with vertical perforations this product allows easy tear-apart for a perfect fit in odd spaces. This eases the headache of cutting insulation for those hard-to-fit places.
Top-Rated Products
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Climate Pro®Climate Pro bllow-in fiber glass insulation is blown into place to completely fill voids, gaps and h |
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Unfaced BattsJM offers traditional kraft and unfaced formaldehyde-free insulation. Same thermal and sound control |
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Before you buy... Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs)
When you build with Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), you’re building homes that can save 50% or more on energy costs compared to conventional stick framed homes. This translates to less fossil fuel consumption, which means lowered greenhouse gas emissions.
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