Foam Sheet Insulation Vs Fiberglass

Multiply the total depth in inches of installed fiberglass batts by 3 2 and compare to the department of energy insulation zone map to determine if you need to add more to reach current minimum standards.

Foam sheet insulation vs fiberglass.

A thicker application of fiberglass however can prove to be a bit more efficient. Fiberglass insulation is significantly cheaper than spray foam insulation but it is also less effective especially in extremely cold conditions. Compare spray foam vs fiberglass insulation costs summary. For instance a 5 5 inch wall cavity can be filled with 2 inches of foam and an r 13 fiberglass batt as a cost effective system that seals the walls with an r 25 insulation system exceeding u s.

For example insulating a 10 square foot wall area to r 15 costs about 3 40 to 4 00 with fiberglass insulation while a comparable r value for rigid foam costs roughly 10. Used in roughly 85 of american homes fiberglass insulation is the most common form of home insulation. Standard fiberglass insulation in the attic provides an insulating r factor of about 3 2 per inch. Building pros of course know better.

Foam insulation whether it s in the form of foam board sheets or spray on insulation requires a smaller amount of material to achieve the same amount of insulation. As a home insulation spray foam also doesn t make for good nests. Fiberglass cellulose and foam dominate the conversation but the. Few construction topics bore homebuyers more than insulation.

The studs conduct more heat than the insulation between them. The panels provide a continuous energy efficient surface. Most fiberglass contains formaldehyde and may emit formaldehyde fumes into your home. Many spray foams do not provide a source of food for rodents termites or other nasty critters.

This eliminates thermal bridging which is the energy lost through wall studs. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available but they may need to be special ordered. You re well aware that heating and cooling account for roughly half of the energy used in the average home. Consider using spray foam insulation as well to seal smaller cracks and gaps.

Fiberglass insulation is less than half the price of rigid foam insulation when calculated by r value per square foot. Average cost of spray foam vs fiberglass insulation one board foot 12 x 12 x 1 of open cell foam insulation averages 0 45 to 0 80 cents the same amount of closed cell insulation costs between 1 and 2 a square foot of fiberglass costs between 1 30 and 3 50 on average. Insulating boards are just one of the many types of foam insulation. Fiberglass and cellulose can be torn apart by pests and some even use them for nesting.

And you also know that properly insulating a home helps homeowners save money and makes houses more comfortable.