More than 70 years ago, scientists developed a method to produce glass fiber in commercial quantities, creating what became known as fiberglass insulation. This innovation offered home and commercial building owners an effective, practical way to keep their buildings warm in the winter, cool in the summer and make more efficient use of the energy needed to operate their buildings.  In the decades that followed, fiberglass insulation gained popularity and has become the insulation of choice for most American homes (according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association).

As its name would indicate, fiberglass insulation is made from fine glass fibers, bound together to create a blanket, or a batt, that is inserted into wall cavities, attics and other spaces to reduce heat flow, maintain a consistent indoor temperature, as well as absorb sound and reduce noise levels for a better indoor environment. These properties also make fiberglass insulation an ideal material for countless other applications such as appliances, vehicles, pipes and ducts. Loose-fill fiberglass insulation, which isn’t bound, is a product that can be easily “blown” into walls, attics and floors – a particularly great solution for retrofit walls and attics as well as new construction.

Over the decades, fiberglass insulation has evolved to meet new challenges and changing needs for the building industry and those who rely on more comfortable, energy-efficient homes and buildings year-round.

A Key Component to Green Building

By virtue of its primary function, fiberglass insulation supports green building by making homes and buildings more efficient, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool. It also is extremely durable and won’t degrade or settle over time.  Once fiberglass insulation is installed, homeowners and building owners can take comfort knowing it will last the life of the structure.

While these attributes alone have a significant and positive environmental impact, today’s fiberglass insulation is being produced in a more energy efficient way than ever.

The latest generation of fiberglass insulation is made with natural materials and a formaldehyde-free formulation. It is also manufactured with recycled materials, as much as 30 percent post-consumer recycled content and 50 percent total recycled content, as certified by a third party. This new breed of fiberglass insulation helps homeowners participate in glass recycling efforts, keeping waste out of landfills and turning it into usable products. And, once installed, glass fiber thermal insulation annually saves 12 times more energy than was used to produce it.

To be confident in their choices, consumers and contractors should look for insulation that has achieved GREENGUARD Children & Schools SM Certification and is verified to be formaldehyde free, meeting stringent certification standards for indoor air quality. That helps new homes and buildings achieve energy-efficiency and green building certifications including: the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR®; the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Standard; and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Addressing Safety

Insulation manufacturers have conducted extensive research to ensure that insulation glass fibers are safe to manufacture and use when recommended work practices are followed. Independent research has shown that exposure to airborne fibers are low during handling and use, fibers that are inhaled disappear rapidly from the body, and there is no evidence of disease in humans or animals from inhaling glass wool insulation fibers.

Fiberglass insulation not only contributes to the comfort and efficiency of homes and buildings, but it is tested and verified to be low emitting to address indoor air quality. Additionally, glass fibers aren’t a food source for mold and are non-combustible.

It’s also easier than ever to work with. In fact, a clinical trial with 90 professional installers on one new line of fiberglass insulation has shown it to be soft and easier to handle as well as easy to cut with less dust than other fiberglass insulation products.

It Provides for Comfort and Energy Savings
The most important job of any insulation system is to minimize the energy needed to maintain a consistent indoor temperature – keeping homes and buildings comfortable throughout the year.  When coupled with good building practices, including a well sealed building envelope, insulation helps reduce energy use for heating and cooling, which can account for up to 50 percent of a home’s utility costs. It’s the time-tested field performance of fiberglass insulation, coupled with recent advances in the sustainability of these products, and topped off with the total installed affordability that has helped fiberglass insulation have such staying power for seven decades. Fiberglass insulation remains a great choice for better performing homes and buildings for today and tomorrow.

By Frank O’Brien-Bernini, Chief Sustainability Officer, Owens Corning

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