Tobias Roberts
Fiberglass Batt Insulation
Batt insulation made from fine fibers of glass matted together. Fiberglass batts are a common insulation type available in many sizes to fit standard stud and joist spacing. It can also be purchased in rolls. A six-inch thick layer has an insulation value of about R-20.
R-value measures the insulating ability of materials. The thicker the insulation, the higher the R-value. fiberglass batt insulation typically has an R-value of about 3.2 per inch. Choose the right size and thickness to fit your stud or joist space so that the insulation fits snugly but does not get compressed. Also look for fiberglass batt made from recycled glass, to reduce landfill waste.
A thick layer of effective insulation will cut your energy bills by reducing heat transfer between your home and the outdoors. Some fiberglass insulation products are made from recycled glass, making them even more sustainable.
Like many useful things, the method to make large quantities of glass fibers was discovered by accident. Researcher Dale Kleist, at Ohio State University in 1932, was trying to glue together two blocks of glass and tried spraying molten glass with a spray-gun. The fine glass fibers that came out of the spray-gun turned out to be perfect for insulation.</p>