Homes built using an insulating concrete form (ICF) system literally have the insulation built into the walls as part of the structure. This system creates walls that have a high thermal resistance, with R-values typically above R-17. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they look just like traditional stick-built homes.
Foam boards—rigid panels of insulation—can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They provide good thermal resistance and often add structural strength to your home. Foam board insulation sheathing reduces heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs.
Vermiculite and perlite insulation materials are commonly found as attic insulation in homes built before 1950. Vermiculite insulation materials aren't widely used anymore because they sometimes contain asbestos. However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos is not intrinsic to vermiculite. Only a few sources of vermiculite have been found to contain more than tiny trace amounts. Still, if you have vermiculite insulation in your attic, do not disturb it. If you want to add insulation to your attic, use an insulation contractor who is trained and certified in handling asbestos.
Polyurethane is a closed-cell foam insulation material that contains a low-conductivity gas (usually hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFC) in its cells. The high thermal resistance of the gas gives polyurethane insulation materials an R-value typically around R-7 to R-8 per inch.
Polyisocyanurate or polyiso is a thermosetting type of plastic, closed-cell foam that contains a low-conductivity gas (usually hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFC) in its cells. The high thermal resistance of the gas gives polyisocyanurate insulation materials an R-value typically from R-5.6 to R-8 per inch.
Polystyrene — a colorless, transparent thermoplastic — is commonly used to make foam board or beadboard insulation, concrete block insulation, and a type of loose-fill insulation, which consists of small beads of polystyrene.
Insulated concrete blocks can accommodate many walls in a home. Their cores are filled with insulation (except for those cells requiring structural steel reinforcing and concrete infill), which raises the average wall R-value. The better concrete masonry units reduce the area of connecting webs as much as possible.
Some natural fibers — including cotton, sheep's wool, straw, and hemp — are used as insulation materials.
Plastic fiber insulation material is primarily made from recycled plastic milk bottles (polyethylene terephthalate or PET). The fibers are then formed into batt insulation similar to high-density fiberglass.
The term "mineral wool" typically refers to two types of insulation material:
Fiberglass (or fiber glass) — which consists of extremely fine glass fibers — is one of the most commonly used insulation materials. It's used in two different insulation forms: blanket (batts and rolls) and loose-fill.
Facings are fastened to insulation materials during the manufacturing process. A facing protects an insulation's surface, holds the insulation together, and facilitates fastening. Some types of facing can also act as an air barrier, radiant barrier, and/or vapor barrier. Some even provide flame resistance.
