Fiberglass Insulation and its dangers and shortfalls
Fiberglass Insulation Danger - Unfortunately, fiberglass insulation batts has many downsides. If it was not so familiar, no one would willingly subject themselves to the danger and misery of installing fiberglass insulation given the option. Even if it is cheap fiberglass insulation, discount fiberglass insulation or fiberglass insulation wholesale, it's not worth the health risk. Warnings on insulation rolls advise you to completely protect yourself from coming into any kind of contact with the fiberglass - wear safety glasses with side shields, face mask or respirator, gloves, long tight sleeves, long pants and a hat. And still, the itchy fibers manage to get in. Batts are particularly unpleasant to hang overhead in ceilings and under floors and they require straps or wire mesh across the joists to hold them up.
Don’t use fiberglass insulation in basements or crawlspaces: Moisture problems in basements have lead experts to recommend against using fiberglass insulation blanket or batts in a basement. The old standard installation of fiberglass batt insulation between framed stud walls on the basement interior with a vapor barrier over the studs is no longer recommended because of excessive problems with mold, mildew, decay and rot. To maintain its effectiveness, fiberglass must not be exposed to high-moisture conditions such as a damp basement. Moisture will negate the insulation value of fiberglass batts and promote mold and mildew which degrade indoor air quality. Installing a vapor barrier over the interior of the fiberglass will prevent the foundation walls from drying to the interior, a problem with mitigating capillary rise, groundwater leakage and construction moisture. Batts with no vapor barrier will not be effective either as interior humidity will still be a problem. Therefore fiberglass wall insulation in basements is not recommended.
Make sure any fiberglass insulation roll that you purchase is encapsulated foil faced batt insulation. No itchy fibers! Fiberglass core is encapsulated. Vinyl is reinforced. This foil batt insulation is ideal for commercial or residential applications where white facing is preferred. 1/4-inch fiberglass core bonded to one layer of 99% pure aluminum and one layer of durable white scrim-reinforced facing material. The R-value ranges from 7.6 to 10.3 - R value details.
Don't Use Fiberglass Insulation in Metal Buildings, steel buildings or pole barns. Steel skinned buildings require an insulation that addresses the following: Condensation, Radiant Heat, and Cold. to address these issues a radiant barrier is more effective.
Adding traditional fiberglass batt insulation to slow the loss of inside heat from a steel building creates a problem. Moisture trapped within the insulation will cause its R-value and effectiveness to drop dramatically as water is a very good conductor of heat. Even though the metal in a quality steel building will be treated, water trapped between the insulation and the building exterior will, over time, cause rust, oxidation, mold and fungus growth - conditions that will degrade the steel walls and shorten the service life of the building. Condensation can also result in ruined crops or bacterial growth.
A vapor retarder installed on the warm side of the insulation will act as a physical shield to repel moisture, keeping it inside in the form of water vapor. A vapor retarder like aluminum foil will slow the movement of water vapor. Air infiltration through the building exterior in humid areas will also allow some moisture in below the roof decking and into the insulation. As any amount of moisture seriously degrades the insulation capabilities of fiberglass batt insulation, fiberglass is not recommended for use in steel buildings in humid areas. Prodex Total Insulation is recommended instead because it insulates, eliminates condensation, cools the building in summer and creates a vapor barrier that protects the building.
More Disadvantages of Fiberglass insulation
- Does not stop radiant heat transfer. The primary source of heat-flow in and out of your structure.
- Potential health risks such as lung damage
- Batts do not seal wall and ceiling cavities tightly
- Need an additional vapor barrier to protect it from moisture
- Can settle resulting in a decline in effectiveness
- Compressing the insulation reduces its effectiveness
- Resistance to heat transfer drops dramatically when wet
- Moisture buildup between the fiberglass and the building exterior cannot evaporate and causes mold, mildew and decay
"To be effective, fiberglass must keep its pillowy loft and not be exposed to high-moisture conditions such as a damp basement where the material will be compacted if it gets wet, negating its insulation value" (Vaughn, 2007). Fiberglass insulation requires an additional vapor barrier (or vapor retarder) between the warm surface of the wall or ceiling and the insulation. Vapor retarders, made of either aluminum foil (such as reflective insulation), treated paper, or plastic, inhibit the passage of water vapor and keep moisture from migrating into insulation and building cavities.
Fiberglass insulation does not adequately control air infiltration. Cutting the batts to accommodate electrical boxes, ducts, wiring, plumbing and chimneys creates a free air path through the wall cavity or attic floor. Rigid insulation or reflective insulation attached over the studs instead of in between them provides a tighter air barrier. Sprayed foam insulation also seals and insulates by creating a barrier against air infiltration.
Health and safety issues for installers are a major disadvantage of installing fiberglass insulation. Issues include potential cancer risk from exposure to glass fibers (based on animal studies) and formaldehyde off-gassing from the resin used in the backing and petrochemicals in the resin. Green building practitioners shun fiberglass insulation altogether.
Direct contact with fiberglass and exposure to airborne fiberglass dust can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. In addition to physically protecting your self from fibers during installation with safety gear, installers are advised not to scratch or rub skin or eyes until after thoroughly washing in the shower.
Fiberglass also has the lowest R-value per inch of any insulation on the market - another serious disadvantage. The average resistance of fiberglass insulation to convective air flow is R-3 per inch. R19 fiberglass insulation will not perform at this value once pinched into place or introduced to moisture.
