Some of the materials that offer more environmentally friendly insulation are becoming increasingly popular.This is not only good for the environment but it is also friendly to your pocket too. In the production of such insulation materials, which also happen to be easily recycled, less energy is consumed. So what are the most commonly used eco-friendly materials for insulation and what are their pros and cons? Below is an overview of some of these materials.
Why Eco-Friendly Insulation Is the Way to Go
- The eco-friendly materials used for insulation are not only reusable but also easily disposable.
- The eco-friendly insulation materials are not irritating to handlers and hence safe and easy to work with
- In most instances, their production process uses very little energy
- Their raw materials are not easily depleted
Eco-friendly materials used for insulation include the following.
- Ecological Wood Wool Insulation
Besides being an eco-friendly material, wood wool is usually very good when it comes to insulating floors, roofs, and walls. It is also adaptable and rarely causes lung or skin irritation. The material comes with a fairly high capacity for storage of heat as well as exceptional acoustic insulation properties.
Pros: The material is damp-proof, has a high capacity for heat storage and is permeable to vapour.
Cons: the material is more costly as compared to other similar forms of insulation
- Cellulose Insulation
The cellulose insulation is not only eco-friendly but also relatively affordable. This particular material is chiefly appropriate for the insulation of roofs, floors, and walls (especially those made from timber frame). When insulating using cellulose; the material, whose insulation value is as good as that offered by rock wool, is blown in.
Pros: The material is reasonably priced, fireproof, good for insulating heat and breathable
Cons: It cannot be used in damp places
- Hemp Insulation
Hemp is a material which offers sustainable insulation and it is fully disposable after it has been used. The hemp fibres draw their strength from their woody structure and they can effortlessly be turned into insulation blankets. Hemp comes in handy while insulating floors, walls, roofs and facades. However, it isn’t suitable for damp floors.
Pros: it is fully recyclable and can regulate moisture
Cons: it is unsuitable for damp areas
- Cork Insulation
Cork is one of the most adaptable insulation materials which can be used on walls, floors and roofs. It is either available in granular form or in boards. Apart from its durability, it has a high tolerance to dampness and has great heat insulation properties.
Pros: comes with great acoustic insulation properties and is suitable for damp areas
Cons: It is quite expensive
- Sheep’s Wool Insulation
As much as it doesn’t come cheap, sheep’s wool is one of the most commonly used insulation materials in modern times. It comes with exceptional insulation as well as air-purifying properties. Apart from the fact that it can be easily recycled, sheep’s wool is also vapour-permeable and excellent at moisture regulation.
Pros: Comes with high heat insulation capacity, excellent air purifying characteristic and is easily adaptable.
Cons: It is quite costly as compared to other insulation materials used for similar purposes
