Insulation is strongly affected by innovations in sustainability, spurred on by federal and state guidelines for recycled-content and by consumer demand. For example, EPA guidelines require minimum recycled content for construction projects receiving over $10,000 in federal funding.

Your decisions and choices are very important, not only for your own personal needs and safety, but your choices send strong messages. Attention to the safety of insulation was heightened after the 1970’s use of urea-formaldehyde-foam insulation in a half million homes in the U.S. Within a few years, there were so many health related complaints about this product that the CPSC (Consumer Product & Safety Commission) banned its use in residences and schools. That ban was later overturned, although this product lost most of its market and is rarely used today.
Insulation can be the most cost effective material in your building project and needs careful consideration. Reducing the energy use of a building is usually the most important thing you can do to reduce it’s overall environmental impact. Consider the house as a whole system for maximum insulation efficiency. Address all of your buildings’ noise and surface temperature needs. This includes not only walls and ceilings, but also windows and floors, water heaters and ducts.
Insulations are often compared by their R value (resistance-value). The higher the R-value, the better the insulating ability. For example R-30 has a better insulating ability than R-12. An exterior wall would require a higher R value than an interior wall.
There are a variety of different types of insulation for use in various areas of your building. There are Batt, Loose-fill, Blown-in-place, Boards and Foam-in. Our Sage Learning Center helps you carefully consider each type of insulation’s advantages and disadvantages, including their sustainability criteria. Criteria includes materials, effectiveness, indoor air quality, R-values, and lifecycle of the materials — resources, manufacturing and recycling.
Sustainability Criteria: There are no completely safe and sustainable insulations, although most insulation materials currently available can be used safely when properly installed. That includes using appropriate materials (such as drywall or plaster) to completely separate the insulation from the living space; observing heat and fire precautions (such as appropriate insulations designed to be near furnace flues and water heaters); and avoidance of any small particles near any air circulation (such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning [HVAC] systems).
Fiberglass batt is the most familiar insulation, one of the least expensive and it’s used in many homes. Many improvements have been made from the older, less healthy variety to currently include 30%-90% recycled glass content, stronger fibers and elimination of some of the more toxic binders such as formaldehyde. Fiberglass is also available in loose-fill for blown-in applications.
Mineral wool comes in blankets and batts as well as loose-fill. It generally has a 95% recycled content. It’s been tested to have superior sound insulation qualities as well as high fire retardant abilities.
Cotton batt or loose-fill insulation is made from recycled cotton bluejean scraps, up to 95%, with some polyester for binding and stability. Boric acid has been added as the fire-retardant to conform to building flammability codes. Borates are considered to be low in toxicity.
Cellulose is another recycler’s dream — made from up to 100% recycled paper. This choice of insulation can fill the gaps left by batt insulation, making for a more complete insulation. It is a professionally installed, loose-fill, blown-in application.
Cork is one of the oldest, most sustainable and effective insulators. It is naturally fire-retardant and provides excellent noise and thermal insulation. From cork oak tree bark.
Polyurethane and single urethane foams have the advantage of covering every gap within the structural cavity thereby creating greater insulation. Once cured, most do not offgas in any measurable way. More often used in commercial buildings.
Cementitious Foam Insulation, including Airkrete™, is made from inert materials and considered non-toxic. It’s a professionally installed foamed-in (injected) product and a very effective insulator. More often used in commercial buildings.
Perlite and vermiculite insulations are professionally poured-in-place applications, most often inside hollow concrete or masonry blocks. More often used in commecial buildings.