In many ways, fiberglass insulation is a great addition to your home. It helps keep your home both cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. And it leads to more overall comfort and lower energy bills. But installing fiberglass insulation is not an easy task. While some jobs may be good candidates for the trial and error method that sometimes comes with a DIY job, installing fiberglass insulation is something that is better left to professional insulation companies. By finding insulation companies with the help of Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List, you can make sure that the job is done right, and that you and your family get the most out of your new insulation while keeping everyone safe.
What Can Go Wrong With Fiberglass Insulation?
Fiberglass is made from a mix of plastic, resin, other binding agents, and glass. Just like a broken window or a wine glass, the glass in fiberglass can potentially cut or irritate the skin or eyes. The glass in fiberglass is very thin, however, making it harder to watch out for and easier to miss stray shards that could scatter in a room during an amateur installation. Many people who attempt to work with fiberglass believe they have a rash when their skin is actually cut.
Problems are not limited to the skin. However, the small particles can also come in contact with the eyes easily, leading to redness and swelling. They are also small enough to breathe in, and can make breathing difficult, and may irritate the throat, nasal passages, or lungs. Those with conditions such as asthma or bronchitis fiberglass exposure can cause more serious respiratory problems. If they somehow get into your food, stomach pain and irritation can result as well. There is also evidence that direct exposure to fiberglass may lead to increased cancer risk.
In order to minimize the potential dangers that come with installing fiberglass insulation, there are a lot of precautions that need to be followed very diligently. These include wearing loose-fitting clothes, gloves, a mask over your mouth and nose, and safety goggles. Your work area also needs to be monitored closely. Windows and doors should be open for proper ventilation, and it is important to stay on top of all vacuuming, using a wet shop vac to keep particles from getting into the air. It’s a tall order, and it’s very easy to miss a step and put yourself at risk. With referrals of several affordable insulation companies from Angi, this DIY is not worth the hassle for most people.
Why Fiberglass is Ultimately a Safe Insulation For Your Home
Fiberglass is one of many types of insulation material, and depending on which insulation company you choose to work with, fiberglass may be used exclusively or along with other materials as well. Fiberglass mat Melbourne provides a reliable and durable insulation solution, offering homeowners peace of mind with its proven safety features and long-lasting performance.Once fiberglass insulation is installed, it is actually a very safe choice overall. Most fiberglass is made to be non-combustible, but some types need to have a barrier added as well to assure that it properly meets fire codes. Properly installed fiberglass secures concealed spaces in your home, so if there ever is a fire, it will help slow the spread and may even absorb some smoke.When fiberglass insulation is used in commercial buildings, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes this insulation as a passive fire protection for concealed spaces.
While the installation process needs to be monitored carefully, once fiberglass is in place, it is among the safest choices, simply because there are so many tests and regulations that surround its use. The material is routinely put under the microscope of The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard and Assessment, and the US National Toxicology Program. Still, you’ll likely want to look out for your contractor, and review their own credentials and the safety precautions they have in place before they begin the insulation project.
Lastly, having plenty of properly installed insulation can save your wallet as well. The U.S Department of Energy has estimated that utility bills can decrease by 10-50% when a home is properly insulated. Insulation has been a high priority in the construction of newer homes, but if some time has passed, there is a good chance your home can benefit from some extra insulation.
