Insulation helps retain heat in the winter, and it keeps cool air from seeping into your home. It does this by slowing the transfer of heat between materials with different thermal conductivity. You probably know all about R-values and how they work, but what is the most eco-friendly type of Christchurch insulation?
If you’re wondering which kind you should use on your next project, here’s a guide to help you decide what’s best for both your wallet and the environment:
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper, so it’s both a natural and environmentally friendly option. As you can imagine, this material is also very economical—and in addition to its low cost, cellulose provides excellent thermal performance for your walls: It provides continuous Christchurch insulation that won’t let your home get too hot or cold.
However, there are some downsides to using cellulose as an insulator: It’s not very durable and doesn’t offer fire resistance as fibreglass or mineral wool do. Plus, if exposed to moisture over time (which happens easily when using it in crawlspaces), cellulose will become mouldy and need replacing fairly quickly.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is made from a polymer, which is a chemical substance. Polymers are long chains of molecules that can be moulded into different shapes. Many common household products use polymers, including shampoo, toothpaste and even spray foam insulation!
Polymers are derived from petrochemicals—which means they come from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas—so there’s some debate about their environmental friendliness.
Some argue that using less fossil fuel would mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions; others argue that it’s better to use less energy than more energy (ie: more efficient appliances), thus negating the benefit you’d get by choosing a less eco-friendly form of insulation.
It Is Important For Insulation To Be Breathable
- The breathable insulation is important.
- Moisture can cause mould, mildew and wood rot.
- Moisture can promote fungal growth.
- Moisture can lead to condensation on your windows and walls, which can also cause structural damage over time.
Insulation has an impact on the environment, so it’s important to consider this when choosing a material in your home.
In the past, Christchurch insulation was made from materials such as wool or cotton. These materials can hold moisture, which means they can rot and become mouldy. This can cause damage to your home’s structure and cause health problems for you and your family.
In modern homes, most insulation is made from polyester fibres or glass-fibre matting that traps air in big pockets around the material. The air held between the fibres or mats keeps them warm at night, so they don’t lose their heat during the day when there’s less sunlight getting through windows than at night when temperatures are cooler outside (so less energy is needed).
Conclusion
It’s important to consider the impact that insulation has on the environment when choosing a material for your home.
The best type of insulation will depend on your personal needs, but it’s always good to be aware of what impact a material might have to make an informed decision.
