One of the most popular types of home insulation nationwide, fiberglass insulation is made from fine strands of recycled glass and sand bound together. Its resistance to moisture and fire hazards makes it an ideal roof and wall insulation choice for many residential and commercial builds.

Benefits

• Lightweight, flexible and easy to install

• Soundproofing properties to absorb noise

• Affordable and broadly distributed nationwide

• Strong thermal insulation, though R-values vary based on fiberglass insulation product

• Moisture resistance

• Can be utilized in DIY projects with additional safety measures

Applications

• Used in batts, rolls, loose-fill and rigid boards

• An excellent option for a variety of applications, but fiberglass insulation is most often used in walls and floors

Specifications

• R-values are typically between R-2.2 to R-4.3 per inch of thickness

Cellulose insulation is an environmentally friendly option made from recycled paper and fits tightly into uneven and hard-to-reach spaces, such as attics and walls. Installed as loose-fill or blown-in material, cellulose is ideal for most types of home insulation needs, particularly those presenting accessibility challenges in the course of construction or remodeling.

Benefits

• Best for filling gaps in hard-to-reach areas

• Optimal thermal insulation

• Eco-friendly choice for sustainable construction projects

• Powerful noise reduction

• Easy to install as blown-in insulation

• Treated with fire retardants to improve overall safety

Applications

• Perfect for nonuniform spaces where traditional insulation methods cannot reach, such as attics

• Commonly used in loose-fill and blown-in insulation for sustainable construction jobs

Specifications

• R-values are generally between R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch of thickness

Manufactured in either expanded (EPS) or extruded (XPS) form, polystyrene insulation is used in rigid foam board insulation to provide powerful compressive strength and resistance to mold and mildew. EPS is made by expanding polystyrene beads into a porous, versatile material while XPS goes through an extrusion process to result in a denser, more durable roof and wall insulation.

Benefits of EPS

• Highly versatile for a wide variety of applications in commercial and home insulation projects

• More cost-effective than XPS

• Lightweight and easy to install

Benefits of XPS

• Stronger moisture resistance and pest resistance than EPS

• Durable material with high compressive strength to withstand heavy loads

• Higher R-value than EPS

Applications

• Both EPS and XPS forms are commonly used in rigid foam board insulation for roofs and walls

• XPS is more suitable for insulating load-bearing concrete forms and structural panels

Specifications

• R-values of EPS typically fall between R-3.6 to R-4.2 per inch of thickness

• The R-value of XPS is generally R-5 per inch of thickness

Constructed through the combination of polyols and isocyanates, polyurethane insulation forms a rigid foam to produce some of the highest R-values available on the market. Resistant to mold and mildew, this type of insulation can be utilized in spray foam or rigid insulation panels.

Benefits

• Spray foam addresses thermal bridges by creating an airtight seal

• Features quick application times

• Greatly improves overall building energy efficiency

• Provides some of the highest R-values per inch of insulation

• Durability and moisture resistance

Applications

• Used as spray foam insulation for sealing hard-to-reach areas such as roofs, attics and wall penetrations for HVAC appliances

• Optimal for commercial and home insulation projects where energy efficiency and cost savings are critical

Specifications

• R-values are generally between R-5.5 to R-6.5 per inch of thickness

Mineral wool insulation is crafted with raw materials such as silica, volcanic rock or slag from industrial production. They are melted into fine fibers to form a dense insulation material boasting high-performing moisture resistance, fire resistance and acoustical insulation.

Benefits

• Resistant to mildew and mold

• Excellent soundproofing and thermal insulation

• Non-combustible

• Dense and durable for long-term performance

Applications

• Optimal for industrial zones with strict fire safety standards and soundproofing

• Often used in rigid boards or batts for walls, floors and roofs

Specifications

• R-values are between R-3.0 to R-4.2 per inch of thickness

Another eco-friendly option for roof and wall insulation, natural fiber insulation is made from biodegradable insulation materials like cotton, hemp and wool. It is naturally non-toxic and a popular choice for environmentally conscious projects in sustainable construction. Natural fiber insulation receives additives to improve its fire resistance and pest control properties.

Benefits

• One of the most environmentally friendly alternatives on the market

• Sustainably sourced and contains no synthetic materials

• Treated with fire retardants to improve fire resistance

• Provides adequate thermal insulation and soundproofing properties

Applications

• Commonly used in batts, loose-fill or panel insulation for walls and ceilings

• Popular option in sustainable construction projects

Specifications

• R-values are generally between R-3.0 to R-3.7 per inch of thickness

No matter the size or scope of your next commercial, residential or industrial job, GMS is here to help you access the highest-quality acoustical ceiling solutions needed to execute your project to perfection. Check out our yard finder to connect with the nearest GMS location in your area and take advantage of our unmatched industry expertise and end-to-end customer service today.