Spray vs Fiberglass Insulation
Insulation plays a vital role in any home, helping to keep temperatures comfortable throughout the year. Having the right insulation keeps your power bills down as well. You can save money on heat and air conditioning by insulating your home properly. Your energy bills and comfort levels, of course, also depend a great deal on your local climate. Spray and fiberglass are two popular types of insulation. Which is better and why?
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation, which works by trapping air inside minuscule glass fibers, is the most popular type of insulation and used in the majority of homes today. People who don’t research the subject are likely to get fiberglass insulation by default. Let’s look at the main pros and cons of fiberglass.
Pros
- It’s cheaper than spray insulation.
- It’s fairly easy to install. Most homeowners can install it themselves if they want to.
Cons
- Less efficient than spray foam. You can expect to lose around 30 percent of heat or air conditioning. This makes it less energy efficient and less effective at keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Provides little in the way of a sound barrier.
- Doesn’t contribute to structural integrity.
Foam Spray Insulation
There are two types of foam spray insulation, open and closed cell. Closed cell provides more comprehensive insulation for air, moisture and vapor. Here are some of the pros and cons of this type of insulation.
Pros
- Significantly more efficient than fiberglass. With open cell foam spray there’s minimal air leakage. With closed cell, none at all. This helps keep your home more comfortable and helps you save on power bills.
- Contributes to a home’s structural integrity. This adds to your home’s value.
- Can help to stop pollutants and allergens from entering a home.
- Extremely long-lasting. It typically lasts for at least 80 years.
- Useful as a sound barrier. It can help shield outdoor sounds as well as noise in different rooms of your home.
Cons
- More expensive than fiberglass insulation. Depending on whether you choose open or closed cell foam spray, it can be two to four times as expensive as fiberglass insulation.
- Requires professional installation.
Fiberglass vs Foam Spray Insulation: Which is Better?
When insulating your home, should you choose fiberglass or foam spray? We’ve looked at the main pros and cons of each. This is something you need to decide based on your own needs and budget. When making your decision, make sure that you consider the long-term consequences of each.
If you are on a limited budget and are looking to install your own insulation, fiberglass is worth considering. Keep in mind, however, that these are only upfront savings. Over time, foam spray insulation becomes a better investment. In addition to keeping you more comfortable, it makes your home more energy efficient. In the long run, therefore, spray foam insulation is the better choice.
