What Materials Are Used for Insulation?
- Polyester fibers are used to create batts of insulation. Polyester is a synthetic material created from several esters (an organic chemical) linked together in a fiber. The batts are installed between framing members on exterior walls and roof rafters. Polyester fibers are preferred for their ability to form pockets that trap air, increasing the effectiveness of the insulation. These same polyester fibers also have the desirable characteristic of being able to hold their shape for many years.
- Perlite is used to make loosefill insulation. Tiny particles of insulating material are inserted into wall cavities to provide extra insulating value. Perlite is a scientific term used to describe a kind of volcanic rock. Perlite is silicon rock, and when it is heated to 1,600 degrees, it explodes into many tiny pieces. These bits of volcanic rock have excellent insulating properties and are lightweight.
- Polystyrene is a plastic material made from petroleum products. The plastic is commercially known as Styrofoam and has many applications, including the creation of 4-by-8-foot sheets of insulation material. These sheets are typically several inches thick and often installed around the inside surface of a masonry foundation. Polystyrene is made from the styrene monomer. Since the final product is 95 percent air, it can be used as an effective insulation material.
- Polyurethane spray comes out of an aerosol can to provide extra insulation value to small nooks and corners. The foam material is sprayed into hard-to-reach places, where the wet material expands to fill the space, no matter the shape. In the can are a resin polymer and isocyanurate, an organic chemical. When released, these compounds combine to form an effective water resistant insulation material.
