Perlite insulation is a type of insulation for homes and commercial buildings that is made from volcanic rock.

The rock which is used to make perlite insulation is rich in water content. This helps in creating large air pockets that help in insulating the house from outside elements.

Perlite insulation plays an important role in both residential and commercial construction. Let us learn about it in this article.

What is Perlite Insulation?

It is a lightweight, high-performance insulation that can be installed in any depth to meet the specific needs of the project. While it lacks the water and oil resistance of other types of insulation, perlite is an excellent choice for projects where those liquids are not likely to be present.

Perlite’s ability to resist fire makes it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.

It should be noted that perlite insulation only works up to a certain depth; if it is exposed to water or oil-based liquids, it may seep through the layer and damage the home or structure.

For this reason, it is important to consult with a professional before installing perlite insulation in an area that could potentially

Benefits of Perlite Insulation:

Perlite insulation has many benefits when compared to traditional insulation.

The first benefit of perlite insulation is that it has a lower cost compared to other types of insulation on the market today. For example, R-value for perlite is typically between 20 and 40.

Meaning, you can use less material than fiberglass or cellulose while still keeping a high level of thermal resistance.

Perlite also tends to be lightweight due to its loose structure and relatively low density so this makes installation easier as well.

Perlite’s sound-deadening properties are another great advantage. Because they help reduce noise transfer through floors above ceilings below where the insulating layer was installed.

This helps improve your comfort level in your home by reducing annoying sounds coming from upstairs neighbors or ceiling/heaters turning on/off.

Perlite insulation is also a renewable material as it’s made from volcanic rock. Perlite insulation is not toxic either which makes it safe to install inside your home.

Moreover, perlite insulation does not attract pests or rodents. So even the maintenance of this type of insulation is a breeze!

Perlite insulation offers many benefits that make installing this type of product worth considering when looking for an effective way to insulate your attic or walls at home.

Other Types of Insulation

The first type is fiberglass. Fiberglass is a material made up of small glass fibers that are commonly used in attics. It can also be used as insulation for walls, floors, and ceilings.

Fiberglass is available as batts, blankets, or loose fill. Fiberglass is among the most used insulating materials, made up of incredibly tiny glass fibers.

Fiberglass is made from molten glass which is further blown into fine fibers to create a mat. These mats are layered and then cut into usable insulation products. The tiny glass fibers make fiberglass an excellent insulator, with a very low thermal conductivity rating. It also has good sound absorption properties.

Fiberglass is non-combustible, but it can melt if it gets too close to a fire. And like all materials, fiberglass can cause skin irritation in some people, so be sure to wear gloves when handling it.

The main downside of fiberglass is that it’s not moisture resistant, meaning that if there’s any water infiltration the insulation will become saturated and ineffective. In cold climates, this could lead to ice damming and other moisture problems.

Another type of insulation material is cellulose insulation material.

Cellulose insulation is made of recycled newspapers, so it’s a very environmentally friendly option. It has good sound absorption properties and is also moisture resistant. However, cellulose insulation can be a fire hazard if not installed properly, so you need to use a professional installer.

In both fresh and existing homes, cellulose insulation is employed as loose-fill in open attic installations and densely packed in construction voids such as walls and cathedral ceilings.

Cellulose insulation can also be sprayed on as a thin coating on the interior of exterior sheathing.

The next type is mineral wool insulation material. It consists of two types of materials: rock wool and slag wool. Rock wool is made from ground-up rocks, while slag wool is made from the waste materials left over after metal is melted down.

Mineral wool insulation has good sound absorption properties, high R-values, and resistance to fire, moisture, and insects. At the end of its useful life, it can be recycled. However, it is a bit more expensive than other types of insulation material. It has great flame resistance. They are extremely good at resisting unwanted sounds and vibrations.

Another green insulation material is sheep’s wool.

Sheep’s wool is non-toxic, renewable, and biodegradable. It doesn’t cause skin irritation as fiberglass does, and it helps control moisture build-up.  It offers R13 to R19 value that is on par with, if not better than, most fiberglass, cellulose, and Rockwool alternatives.

Sheep wool insulation has a water-repellent exterior and a water-tolerant inner. When wool is wet, the pores inside the fiber can absorb up to a third of its water weight. Even during periods of extreme humidity, the wool will remain dry to the touch while continuing to insulate.

The last type of insulation is Polystrene insulation. Polystrene is transparent and thermoplastic. Foam board or beadboard insulation, solid concrete insulation, and a variant of loose-fill insulation made up of small polystyrene particles are all examples of products made with this material.

Molded expanded Polystyrene, also commonly called foam board insulation is a popular type of insulation. It is also available in the form of small foam beads. They are not heavy, and the beads are used as loose-fill insulation.

Final Thoughts

The insulation materials are very useful and can be chosen depending on the type of insulation desired. For example, Perlite is very sound absorbent and can be used in spaces that need reduced noise levels or where ventilation may not necessary whereas other types are more suitable for areas with high humidity like bathrooms.

You can see that Perlite insulation is great for areas with high noise levels and humidity whereas other materials are suitable in places where ventilation or temperature control may be necessary. 

In conclusion, it’s good to know about all of the options available so you get exactly what your house needs. Hope this article has helped you to get a better idea of the different types.