Insulation

Insulation is a major factor in reducing home heating and cooling costs. There are all sorts of options when it comes to insulating the green way. Come check out a few. 

• SIPS: Structural Insulated Panels. These are only for new construction. Basically, they are a single panel filled with insulation. The advantage is the lack of studs, which cause gaps in insulation. Also, the panels are already airtight, saving almost 40% over standard insulation right there. For more info, check out the SIPA website.
• Recycled Glass by Certainteed: This is just like fiberglass, but made with up to 25% recycled materials, such as old car windshields. The benefit of using recycled glass is the reduction in industrial waste and the comparable price to standard fiberglass insulation. These products qualify for LEED and NAHB credits as well.
• Cotton by UltraTouch: Now, this may seem crazy, but UltraTouch insulation even comes in fungi, insect and fire-retardant forms! Made from old jeans and other cotton sources, this stuff needs no warning labels whatsoever. It's extremely warm, low-VOC, has great sound absorption and is made from 85% post-industrial fibers. Pretty amazing, huh?  Oh, and there are spray-foam options, too.
• Applegate Insulation: This damp and dry-blown insulation is made from recycled newspapers, telephone directories, borates and ammonium sulfate. Applegate Insulation is nontoxic and generates virtually no VOCs. It's is also part of the EnergyStar Home Sealing Program and qualifies for LEED points and tax credits for up to 30% of the installation cost.

These are just a sampling of what's out there, but they are the best of the best as far as green insulation goes. It seems ridiculous to insulate the old-fashioned way when these new ideas are just about cost-equivalent, doesn't it?

Browse different Insulation sections

• Insulation Materials
• Insulation Products

Just added material, products, homes and more from the Insulation community

UltraTouch Insulation

With UltraTouch insulation, the "Fabric of our Lives" is transformed into the fabric of our walls. Natural fiber cotton insulation contains... Continue Reading »

Posted by DanH in Insulation Products

Applegate Insulation

Proper insulation saves money on heating and cooling bills – and that’s a beautiful thing for you and the environment. The type of... Continue Reading »

Posted by BethF in Insulation Products

Green Garage Doors--they really do exist!

With all this talk about greening the home, there are a few things that can fall through the cracks.  Garage doors have not frequently... Continue Reading »

Posted by GHIstyle in Insulation Materials

Structural Insulated Panels

Structural Insulated Panels: Framing for an energy-efficient homeAs a green contractor or new homeowner, it can be tough to choose the best... Continue Reading »

Posted by GreenLindsey in Insulation Materials

Certainteed Recycled Glass Insulation

Here's a new take on insulation-- fiberglass using recycled glass!  Certainteed makes fiberglass insulation which... Continue Reading »

Posted by GHIstyle in Insulation Products