Insulation

Eco-friendly Insulation Perth options help to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. They are made from natural, renewable materials that are free from harmful chemicals and formaldehyde.

Foam board insulation (similar to Styrofoam) and spray foam both come in a variety of R-values and are easy to install. They are plastic, however and take a long time to break down naturally.

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper materials, mostly old newspapers. It’s a very effective material for resisting heat flow through walls and floors, which will reduce your energy bills significantly over time. It’s a very good choice for homes in cold climates.

It can be installed in both new and existing structures, although it’s especially popular for retrofit applications. It’s blown in through open attics or enclosed wall cavities using a blowing machine. It’s also available in batt form for easy installation between floor joists, ceiling joists, and wall studs.

For new construction, cellulose can be either damp sprayed or installed dry behind netting. When it’s damp sprayed, a small amount of moisture is added to the spray nozzle tip, which allows the cellulose to adhere better to the interior walls. This process is called a “tight” or ” dense-packed” installation.

Wet cellulose requires special care and maintenance because it’s hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and holds water. When the cellulose gets wet, it can sag within framing cavities and lose its thermal value. In addition, it can produce sulfuric acid and boric acid if exposed to wet conditions for extended periods of time.

This acid can damage or corrode steel truss fasteners, copper pipes, electrical wires and other metals in your home. The good news is that cellulose insulation must pass special corrosivity tests before it’s sold for residential use. However, many wet-spray contractors use only a small fraction of the treated material and limit its exposure to wet areas in attics or wall cavities to prevent corrosion.

The biggest advantage of cellulose is that it’s made from recycled materials and doesn’t create dust during installation. This is a very important consideration for homeowners who are concerned about asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems caused by fiberglass batt insulation and other traditional forms of insulation.

Another major benefit is that cellulose supports the concept of a circular economy. This is a system of economic design that aims to eliminate waste and pollution from our economic systems. Instead of relying on a linear model of production and consumption, it encourages the reuse of products and materials, which cuts down on raw material extraction and leads to natural ecosystem regeneration.

Sheep’s Wool Insulation

Sheep’s wool is a renewable, sustainable product that requires 15% less energy to manufacture than fiberglass insulation. It is safe and easy to install with minimal risk of irritating the skin or eyes (unless you have a wool allergy). It can be used in new construction and remodels in homes, as well as in water tanks, ducting and pipes.

Sheeps’ wool is an excellent insulator due to its crimped fibre structure, which creates millions of tiny air pockets to help trap heat. It also has a low thermal conductivity, meaning it takes up to twice as much energy to transfer heat through it than it does to absorb it – an important consideration for those looking to reduce their home’s carbon footprint.

It is fire resistant, too: the fibres char rather than burn, which helps prevent toxic gases being released into the home and it’s surroundings. Like other insulating products, it must pass fire tests and is treated with flame retardants to be considered safe for use in homes.

Another benefit of sheep’s wool is that it can regulate humidity levels in the home. It is hygroscopic, which means it can absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture without losing its insulating ability. This can help to preserve wood structures in the house, as well as preventing mould and mildew from growing.

However, the same moisture that makes sheep’s wool so good for insulating purposes can cause problems if it is not managed effectively. If left unchecked, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew that can degrade the wool, causing it to rot. To minimize this risk, it’s important to keep the environment in your home dry and to regularly inspect it for signs of dampness or water damage. If it does occur, it’s important to take quick action to waterproof your home and replace the affected insulation. This will help to avoid further damage and health issues, as well as saving money on expensive repairs.

Cork Insulation

Cork insulation is a relatively new product in North America, but it’s long been used for insulating buildings and ships in Europe. It is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees and is one of the most sustainable types of insulation available. Cork is also naturally resistant to moisture, making it ideal for preventing water damage and mildew in the walls of a home. Additionally, it’s not susceptible to insect or vermin infestations.

Cork is also very effective at reducing sound transmission. This is due to its natural structure, which is filled with tiny cavities. It is particularly good at absorbing impact noise, which can be problematic for homes with a lot of foot traffic or apartments above each other. Cork insulation boards are available in rigid forms that can be cut to size and fastened with nails or screws, as well as in a sprayed-on form that is easy to apply in hard-to-reach areas of the wall.

One of the major reasons why cork is so eco-friendly is because it doesn’t require any type of artificial binding agent during production. This makes it a very biodegradable product that can be easily recycled at the end of its life cycle. It also doesn’t have the potential to cause any of the toxic off-gassing that can be associated with some synthetic insulators.

The biggest drawback to cork is that it does tend to be more expensive than other eco-friendly options, but this price tag is typically offset by the reduced energy bills that homeowners can expect. It’s also worth mentioning that, because no trees are felled in order to harvest the cork, it’s an incredibly sustainable option.

In addition to being eco-friendly, cork also provides a high R-Value of up to 3.4 to 4.8, meaning that it’s a very effective insulator. It’s also a very breathable material, which can improve indoor air quality by eliminating the buildup of harmful gases. This can be especially helpful for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. It is not as thick as other insulators, however, which may make it less suitable for older buildings.

Mineral Insulation

Many popular insulation materials, like fiberglass batts and EPS and XPS foams, are made from unnatural substances that require significant amounts of energy to manufacture. This makes them tough on the environment during production and throughout their useful lives as well. These synthetic materials insulate buildings and homes, but they are also difficult to recycle when they’re no longer needed. Thankfully, eco-friendly alternatives to these conventional products have been developed from renewable resources or recycled materials. These alternative options like cellulose, sheep’s wool and cotton offer sustainable insulation, while still providing excellent thermal and acoustic control.

Cellulose insulation is one of the most common types of green insulation available. It is made from recycled newspaper and other paper that would otherwise be thrown into landfills, where it could decompose and release harmful greenhouse gases. Cellulose is treated to make it fire resistant, and it’s usually sold in the form of loose-fill for blow-in installation or in pre-made insulation boards. It is the most cost-effective type of green insulation. Its low embodied energy also means that it doesn’t use as much energy to produce as other insulation materials.

Mineral wool insulation is another option for a green home. It is a blanket-type insulation that can be placed between studs in a wall, or it can be stuffed between joists in a attic. It is a denser material than fiberglass, which allows it to achieve a higher R-value, up to R-49 in 2×4 walls and R-23 in 2×6 walls. It is also water-resistant, preventing moisture from damaging the walls and allowing it to resist mold and mildew growth.

It is a good choice for acoustic control, as it effectively absorbs sound waves. However, it is more difficult to install than fiberglass batts and can be a bit expensive. It also requires more maintenance, as it is prone to dust and dirt buildup.

Sheep’s wool is another environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fiber insulation, and it is harvested from animals without harming them. Sheep’s wool has excellent insulating properties and is also fire-resistant, which makes it ideal for use in a home or commercial building. It is also water-resistant and doesn’t encourage the growth of mold or mildew, and it doesn’t attract bugs.