Foam Insulation or Fiberglass - Which Should You Choose?

A well insulated home is one that is nice and warm during the cold winter months and nice and cool in the hot summer months. Foam insulation improves the efficiency of a heating and cooling system and can also keep the cost of power down. Foam insulation (or spray foam as it is sometimes called) is thought to be preferable to using fiberglass sheets because it can fit into the smallest spaces. Not only does foam offer a means of keeping warm or cool air exactly where you want it, but it also helps to keep out undesirable substances such as allergens in the air, insects and dust. 

When it comes to a contest- foam insulation versus fiberglass insulation- not everyone is in total agreement. Insulating a home with fiberglass is still something that is done regularly, both by contractors and by homeowners who do their own work. Spray foam though is not far behind and is growing more popular all of the time. It is a type of polyurethane foam that can be sprayed onto ceilings and walls that require insulation. Once it has been applied it then needs time to dry. As it dries it expands and then hardens, thereby filling in the cracks and spaces and bringing about a barrier on the surface. 

Foam insulation does tend to be more expensive than fiberglass but as far as insulating methods go it is of higher quality and is a more budget savvy choice in the long-term. Many contractors and insulation installers will tell customers curious to know which material is superior that spray foam is the better choice of the two. Foam is able to make its way into crevices and teeny tiny areas that fiberglass cannot even get close to. All of those hard to reach spots do not present a problem for polyurethane foam. Once there the expanding nature of it can provide the seal that is needed to make it airtight and impenetrable. Having airtight spaces means that your energy bill will be on the decline as opposed to the incline! 

Another big advantage of using polyurethane foam to insulate your residence is that it will increase the value that your house has. Or more to the point, it will increase the r-value of your dwelling. The r-value for those who are not acquainted with this concept is the measure of the capability inherent in the insulation method you have chosen. You want a home with a high r-value because this means that it is a great deal more energy efficient than if the home has a low r-value. Foam insulation is also the most appropriate choice if you are concerned about the environmental impact of insulation. 

If you are concerned about your health when it comes to using foam then you need not worry because using polyurethane foam is safer than fiberglass. When fiberglass is used it produces tiny particles that end up floating through the air that can find their way into your nose and from there your lungs. This is not what you want circulating through your body or your heating and cooling equipment! When you choose foam over fiberglass you protect your health and the health of those dearest to you.