Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a reinforced plastic material made from tiny, interwoven fibers of glass. Because of how tightly the fibers are woven together, fiberglass is highly strong and resistant to heat. It is commonly used in plastic resin.
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Applications of Fiberglass
The way the fibers are intertwined depends on the object the fiberglass is reinforcing. The term “fiberglass” originated as the name of a specific brand of insulation before evolving into a generic term for the material. Because of its versatility, fiberglass can be used for numerous applications across a wide range of industries. Just a few examples include casts, pipes, roofing, water tanks, swimming pools, surfboards, automobile components, bath tubs, and boat hulls.
Because of its high resistance to various elements, fiberglass is commonly used for insulation purposes. Glass wool gets its name because of its wool-like texture due to how the glass fibers are arranged. Glass wool is the most popular insulative material made from glass fibers. Anyone who has taken on or assisted in a renovation project may have seen it at a home center, as it is often cotton-candy pink in color and comes in a rolled-up blanket. Glass wool insulates by trapping numerous tiny pockets of air between its glass fibers. In addition to heat resistance, glass wool can also be used for soundproofing.
Safety Factors to Consider When Using Fiberglass Insulation
Despite its many reliable properties, glass wool is not without its faults. It is not resistant to moisture, as it can trap moisture in its pockets and make the material a breeding ground for mold. Because fiberglass insulation is contained in an enclosed space, it does not pose a major health risk. However, in handling fiberglass insulation, there are a few measures that should be taken. Particles from the insulation can become airborne and be harmful if large amounts are inhaled, and the fibers may cause skin irritation. Fortunately, both of these risks can be easily eliminated by wearing a breathing mask, goggles, pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
Material Properties of Fiberglass
Fiberglass can have a multitude of physical properties that make it suitable for a variety of uses. For instance, it is resistant to weather, heat, flame, and various corrosive elements, and it is available in a variety of different textures. Another feature that makes different types of fiberglass distinguishable from each other is the length of the fibers within the material. According to the length and shape, glass fiber can be classified as continuous or chopped. Continuous fibers, simply put, are uncut, unaltered fibers and continue to be interwoven into the fiberglass material. Chopped fibers, or discontinuous fibers, on the other hand, are much shorter.
Fiberglass can be rated for compression and tension, using units called megapascals (MPa). The pascal (Pa) is a unit used to measure pressure. Adding the prefix “mega” multiplies a pascal by 106 or 1,000,000. There are numerous types of fiberglass available that are classified in compression and tensile strength. One example is polyester resin, which is one of the most common types of fiberglass. Polyester resin is not reinforced, and has a compression and tensile strength of 140 MPa and 55 MPa respectively, which is quite low. S-Glass Epoxy is on the opposite end of the spectrum, with a tensile strength of 2,358 MPa and its compression strength higher than 350 MPa.
Manufacturing Process of Fiberglass
The manufacturing process for fiberglass is known as pultrusion, which derives from the process of extrusion. The main difference between the two processes is that pultrusion involves the pulling of the material through a die, in contrast with extrusion, in which the material is pushed. The main materials that make up fiberglass—thermosetting plastic, thermoplastic, and the glass fibers—are pulled and taken through a series of processes. The raw material—which is typically composed of resin, fillers, and additives—may be taken through a tension roller, soaked in resin, and passed through a heating source. It then makes one final trip through the machine’s pulling mechanism until the fiberglass is completed.
Finding the Right Fiberglass Manufacturer
Depending on the application for which the fiberglass may be used, as well as the specific requirements of the client, the fiberglass fabrication processes and the physical properties of the material may vary. Because of its versatility, anyone who is in search of fiberglass material will be able to find fiberglass with the physical properties that best suits the desired application. If you are having difficulty finding the most ideal fiberglass material for your application, or if you simply do not know where to start, an experienced fiberglass manufacturer will be both able and willing to assist you.
Insulation is an important addition to your home, but choosing the right material for your budget and needs is also important.
If you are considering fiberglass insulation for your home, the next thing to tackle is deciding which manufacturer to use. The best manufacturers of fiberglass insulation include Johns Manville, Guardian, Knauf, and Owens Corning.
RetroFoam of Michigan specializes in injection and spray foam insulations with more than 17 years of experience insulating homes across the lower peninsula and greater Toledo area. While foam is our forte, we have dealt with fiberglass in homes that need updated or new insulation.
We occasionally have customers that are looking for a cheaper insulation option who are curious about the different manufacturers of fiberglass.
As a part of our ongoing efforts to provide homeowners with the best information, we have compiled this list of the best fiberglass insulation manufacturers.
Best Fiberglass Insulation Manufacturers
When you think of fiberglass insulation, you likely think of the big pink rolls or batts, but not all those materials are the same.
Let's take a look at the top manufacturers of fiberglass and analyze the products the companies offer, what people are saying about them, and where you can find their products.
Johns Manville Fiberglass Insulation
Johns Manville is considered to be one of the leading manufacturers of premium quality fiberglass insulation.
The company has been in business for 160 years first starting off creating roofing shingles. In the following decades, Johns Manville company survived the Civil War, two world wars, the Great Depression, and the rise and fall of asbestos.
The company boasts that the lessons learned from the use of asbestos helped to foster their commitment to the health and safety of those who purchase their materials.
JM offers home insulation like fiberglass, foam board sheathing, mineral wool and spray foam. They also offer building insulation, HVAC insulation, mechanical insulation, and industrial insulation. The company also creates and sells products for commercial roofing, as well as other engineered products.
But you came here to learn about their fiberglass insulation.
Johns Manville fiberglass insulation can work in each room of the home with R-Values ranging from R-11 to R-38. Here is a look at the fiberglass insulation products JM offers and their benefits.
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- JM Kraft-Faced batts and rolls are ideal for moisture control in exterior walls. It is available in pre-cut batts to fit standard wall cavities or rolls that can be cut to fit any size cavity.
- The thermal and acoustical insulation offers R-Values between R-11 to R-38.
- JM Comfort Therm fiberglass insulation is wrapped in plastic for less itch and dust during the installation process. The poly-encapsulated thermal and acoustical insulation is available with a vapor-retardant plastic facing or without the facing for use in hot, humid climates. It comes in pre-cut batts or rolls.
- JM unfaced building insulation is made with formaldehyde-free thermosetting binder that provides a better indoor air quality. It is made for effective heat control from the exterior while controlling unwanted noise in the interior walls.
- Johns Manville Climate Pro blown-in fiberglass insulation is designed to fit into hard to reach cavities and corners. The material’s R-Value ranges between R-11 to R-60.
Now, if you're looking to install the fiberglass yourself, Johns Manville has a page on the company's website that walks you through different areas of the house, as well as different materials.
Customers who have worked with JM fiberglass materials say it is easy to work with and the material was clean.
When you're ready to tackle the installation, you can find a number of the company's products at any home improvement store.
Knauf Fiberglass Insulation
Knauf Insulation is a family-owned manufacturer of fiberglass insulation that was started in 1978.
Knauf Insulation manufactures thermal and acoustical glass mineral wool insulations for residential customers, as well as commercial, industrial, marine, original equipment manufacturers, and metal building applications. Here is a look at their fiberglass insulation materials.
- Knauf’s EcoBatt insulation doesn’t look like traditional forms of fiberglass insulation due to its natural brown color representing a level of sustainability. EcoBatt insulation combines sand, recycled bottle glass, and ECOSE technology to create the sustainable insulation. The natural color assures no phenol-formaldehyde, acrylics, or artificial colors are used to manufacture the material. The R-Value ranges between R-11 and R-38 in various areas of the home.
- Jet Stream Ultra blowing wool insulation is an unbonded, virgin fibrous glass blowing insulation designed with optimal thermal properties, as well as coverage and blowing characteristics that help completely fill the cavity. The blown insulation doesn’t settle and is made with recycled content. The R-Value varies between R-11 and R-60 for attics and R-15 to R-39 for walls cavities.
- EcoFill Wx blowing wool insulation is also unbonded, virgin fibrous glass blowing insulation with a high degree of post-consumer recycled material, as each bag contains the equivalent of 30 recycled bottles. It is designed for weatherizing and retrofitting existing homes. The material doesn’t settle once it is installed in walls. The insulation R-Values range between R-11 and R-60 in the open attic and R-15 to R-39 in wall cavities.
- The EcoRoll glass mineral wool insulation is made with ECOSE technology and contains a high concentration of sand and at least 60 percent post-consumer recycled glass. The ECOSE technology ensures no phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics, or artificial colors are used to manufacture the material. The material has consistent quality, low dust, and easy-cutting resilient fiber.
Homeowners who have used Knauf fiberglass said that the material didn't make them itch the way other fiberglass products do. Other reviews state the product is easy to work with and is of good quality.
Knauf fiberglass can be purchased from some home improvement stores or from the manufacturer.
Guardian Fiberglass Insulation
Guardian fiberglass insulation was acquired by Knauf Insulation in 2014 but is still available to purchase at any home improvement store.
Guardian offers fiberglass insulation spray, blown-in, and batts. Here is a look at Guardian’s products and benefits.
- Guardian’s UltraFit Plus is a spray-on fiberglass insulation. Its R-Value varies between R-14 to R-40 depending on the thickness of the material applied.
- Guardian Fatt Batt has an R-Value of R-49 at 15 inches thick. There are six pieces of batt insulation per bag.
- Guardian Supercube II is a loose-fill fiberglass insulation that works in attics, walls, and floors. The material’s R-Value ranges between R-11 and R-60 in open attics and R-15 to R69 in closed cavities.
- Attic Guard Plus is a premium loose-fill fiberglass insulation. The R-Value ranges from R-11 to R-60 for open attics and R-15 to R-69 for closed cavities.
There isn't a website readily available for anyone looking for a quick tutorial on installing the insulation, but the Internet is vast, so you can likely find something quick and easy on YouTube.
Owens Corning Fiberglass Insulation
Owens Corning started developing insulation materials in the 1870s.
From that early start to today, Owens Corning now develops, manufactures, and markets insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. Here is a look at the fiberglass insulation they offer.
- AttiCat expanding blown-in insulation system releases fiberglass insulation that expands inside the machine. It is a self-feeding system that helps to put the insulation where the homeowner wants it. It is an optimized process for minimal handling of the fiberglass material. The R-Value ranges between R-13 and R-60 in attics of new and existing homes.
- EcoTouch Pink fiberglass insulation with PureFiber technology delivers comfort to the home while helping the structure stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The material will also help reduce monthly heating and cooling costs and offers exceptional thermal and acoustical performance. The material is certified to include a minimum of 58 percent total recycled content and is formaldehyde free. It comes in batts and rolls with R-Values ranging from R-13 to R-38.
If you're looking to install the fiberglass insulation yourself, Owens Corning has an entire page on the company's website devoted to educating installers.
Homeowners who have installed the material say the insulation is very easy to install and work with. They also said it was very easy to cut to make sure it fit perfectly into the joists and cavities where it is installed.
Owens Corning fiberglass insulation can be purchased from any home improvement store.
Choosing the Best Fiberglass Insulation Brand and Manufacturer for Your Home
Now that you've read a little bit about the top fiberglass insulation manufacturers, the decision on which one to use is now in your hands.
It all comes down to what areas you plan to insulate, ease of installation, and the quality of the material you decide on. You've got the information you need to make an informed decision, so go forth and insulate your home.
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