Green Insulation
Good for you and the environment
There are a number of insulation manufacturers who strive to make their products low-emission, low-impact and highly efficient. From reused denim to futuristic spray-foams, there are a lot of products to consider, and others to be wary of.
Cementitious
Air Krete - This nontoxic, environmentally friendly insulation is fireproof and sound-absorbing, as well as being very low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air, seawater and formaldehyde-free cement make up Air Krete’s blown-in insulation, which goes on like shaving cream and hardens into a lightweight foam. It doesn’t require treatment with chemicals for its non-combustible performance, like some other insulations do, but there have been concerns about shrinkage over time.
Spray
Icynene - This blown-in soft foam insulation also works as an air barrier, potentially stopping more than 90 percent of air infiltration and minimizing allergens and pollution that enter the home. It is installed in closed or open cavities by pouring or spraying and can expand up to 100 times its initial volume. Since it’s water-blown, it doesn’t have any ozone-depleting HCFCs. Icynene is also free of formaldehyde. R-values of the products range from 3.6 to 4 per inch.
Soy-based polyurethane
Heatlok Soya - Aside from the fact this insulation is literally green in color, it’s also pretty green in composition. Recycled plastics, vegetable oil and soy make up this spray polyurethane foam, which contains no ozone-depleting substances and works as an air and vapor barrier.
BioBased Insulation - These soy-based polyurethane spray foams create an air barrier to outdoor pollution by filling every space, which also cuts down on noise. Soybean oil is used to make them instead of petrochemicals, and they don’t allow mold growth or serve as a food source for pests. No CFCs or VOCs are present in BioBased Insulation products and they will never settle. Their products have been recognized by many organizations in lists of innovative or top products.
Cotton
Bonded Logic - UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation uses 85 percent post-industrial cotton, meaning denim manufacturing scraps that didn’t get to fulfill their destiny and become jeans. It’s treated with a natural fire retardant that also inhibits pests and mildew, and it’s 100 percent recyclable. No VOCs like formaldehyde are present in this insulation. It’s also easy to handle (not itchy) and sound-absorbing once installed, with a 4.1 per inch R-value. UltraTouch has tested well, receiving a Class A fire rating, and can earn users LEED credits.
These are by no means the only green insulation alternatives, but to go through them all could take a while. Others that have been received well include cellulose-, wool- and hemp-based insulations, to name a few.
