Table of Contents
Is fiberglass good in compression?
Properties. An individual structural glass fiber is both stiff and strong in tension and compression—that is, along its axis.
Can insulation be packed too tightly?
Fiberglass insulation gets its R-value from the amount of air it traps between its fibers. If it’s jammed too tightly into a cavity, it can’t trap as much air and won’t be as effective.
What happens if you compress batt insulation?
When you compress fiberglass insulation, you increase its R-value per inch, up to a point. However, when you compress a batt of a particular thickness, the total R-value does decrease. This is a much higher R-value per inch, but the total value of R-14 is still substantially less than the R-19 you started with.
Does compressing loft insulation make it less effective?
Tests by the National Physical Laboratory on the market-leading mineral wool insulation found: Compression from 270mm to 100mm (4” joist height) results in a reduction of the thermal resistance of 50\% Compression from 270mm to 75mm (3” joist height) results in a reduction of the thermal resistance of 61\%.
Does fiberglass insulation lose R-value when compressed?
When compressed to less than its’ labeled thickness, glass fiber insulation will experience a reduction in R-value.
How thick is r38 fiberglass batt insulation?
10¼ ” thick
10¼ ” thick, R-38C EcoTouch® Thermal Batt insulation prevents moisture damage and help assure long roof life by providing 1″ of ventilation air space between the insulation and roof deck.
What is the R-value of 2 inch fiberglass insulation?
Here are the R-values per inch of the most common types of insulation: Fiberglass (blown): 2.2 – 2.9. Fiberglass (batts): 2.9 – 3.8.
What is the R-value of compressed fiberglass insulation?
The standard R-19 fiberglass batt is 6.25″ thick. If you put that batt in a closed 2×6 wall, it will be compressed 0.75″ because a 2×6 is 5.5″ deep. That means the batt labeled R-19 really gives you R-18 in a closed cavity. One place where you’re pretty much always going to end up with compression is around windows.
Can you compress fiberglass insulation?
Gaps are a problem. But you can compress fiberglass insulation as much as you want. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has a little two-page document about compressing fiberglass insulation ( pdf ). Here’s what they say:
Does compression affect R-value of insulation?
Here’s what they say: “When you compress fiber glass batt insulation, the R-value per inch goes up, but the overall R-value goes down because you have less inches or thickness of insulation.” As long as you’re filling the cavity and getting the R-value you want, compression doesn’t matter.
Does fiberglass insulation cause cancer?
Myth: Fiberglass insulation causes cancer. In the late 1980s, the National Toxicology Program and the state of California declared fiberglass insulation a possible carcinogen. That was based on early studies that later were shown not to be accurate.
Are fiberglass-insulated homes too leaky?
Myth: Fiberglass-insulated homes are too leaky, resulting in high energy bills and comfort problems. Whoa, there! Yes, fiberglass is an air-permeable insulation and many houses where it’s been installed are definitely too leaky.