Eco-Friendly Roofing Insulation

If you are looking for ways to save money on house maintenance as well as do your share in saving the environment, then roofing insulation is a must. Of course, the initial outlay for the purchase of fiberglass batts, which are the insulation used in residential buildings in the United States, can be hefty but the savings in energy consumption (up to 13 percent) and in the reduction of greenhouse emissions, not to mention having a cooler house in the summer months, are worth it in some ways.

The disadvantages about fiberglass batts are that these are made with formaldehyde-injected adhesives and these require plenty of energy to produce. Thus, the eco-friendly advantages are often offset. And did you know that fiberglass batts are not used in commercial and industrial buildings? It does tell you something about these insulating materials. Fortunately, there are other eco-friendly roofing insulation materials that you can use.

Recycled Denim
There are many advantages to cotton insulation or recycled denim insulation. First, it is made from approximately 80 percent recycled denim and cotton materials, thus, providing it with sustainability benefits. Second, its manufacture is not as energy-intensive as fiberglass batts. Third, it is more easily handled than recycled cellulose especially as it comes in rolls. Fourth, instead of formaldehyde, boric acid is used as a fire and vermin retardant with the added benefit of not being itchy. Take note that boric acid is comparable to table salt in terms of human toxicity.

Recycled Cellulose Fiber
Yet another recycled roofing insulation material is recycled cellulose fiber. Its main advantage focuses on the fact that it can be spray-painted with water-based, eco-friendly adhesives into hard-to-reach areas, finished wall cavities and even attics. Think no formaldehyde, no petrochemicals, and no highly toxic chemicals added to the mix.

You will like that it is made from 80 percent recycled newspapers, hence, sparing a few more trees from being chopped down. Plus, your installer will love it that it poses lesser risks to his health. It is also a Class I fire retardant, which means that it can delay the spread of fire in your house. And just like recycled denim, boric acid makes it vermin-repellent, too.

Soy Insulation
The humble soy plant has many applications in modern life from maintaining our health to insulating our homes. Soy insulation is, of course, manufactured from soy bean oil, thus, making it one of the most responsible and renewable insulating materials available.

It is also spray-painted into place, which will then expand and dry off to fill in the cracks and seal in the holes especially in hard-to-reach areas. It also possesses fire retardant properties – it will just char but not sustain a fire – that will last through the building’s lifetime. And did we mention that it is also highly resistant to mildew and mold?

There are other eco-friendly, pocket-friendly, and long-term roof insulating materials like straw bales and sheep wool that you can choose from. No matter what type of insulation used, the most important thing is that it’s properly installed to ensure high-energy efficiency. The initial costs may be high, but the benefits more than pays for said costs.