Fiberglass vs Glasswool – What is the Difference?

Glasswool insulation is made from recycled glass bottles, sand, and other materials. Glasswool is just another name for fiberglass insulation. It’s also sometimes referred to as glass fibre insulation or fibreglass segments. These are melted at very high temperatures and then spun into fibers. The result is millions of tiny air-pockets being created inside the insulation, which is what gives glasswool insulation its excellent insulating properties.

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Fibreglass Batts – Like Sheep’s Wool and Down Feathers

You may be surprised to learn that glass wool insulation works in a very similar way to natural sheep’s wool and down feathers. Various binders can be used to hold the insulation together. Glasswool segments have for decades been associated with irritation of eyes, nose, skin, and throat, but thankfully technological developments have resulted in a vast improvement in the product design, resulting in far softer and more pleasant insulation products now being available on the market. Brands such as Knauf Earthwool have taken the low-itch factor to a new level, and you’d have a hard time guessing that it was indeed glass wool insulation.

Foil-Clad Glass Wool     

Glasswool Insulation – Keep Dry at All Times!

Wet insulation is a dilemma at the best of times, and glasswool insulation is no exception to this. It’s not difficult to understand why wet insulation doesn’t work, and will cause no end of trouble for the home owner if it is installed while wet. Firstly, glass wool relies on the microscopic airgaps inside – technically speaking it’s the airgaps which are the actual insulators. Now if these get soaked with water, there goes your thermal insulation! Also, wet glasswool insulation will be susceptible to mould, and will introduce moisture to whatever area of the building it is installed, with potentially destructive results. For this reason, glass insulation should always be stored high and dry, and if any part of a glass wool segment should become wet, it should be cut off, discarded and never used.

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Why is Glasswool Insulation Still so Popular?

Glasswool insulation remains hugely popular, and with good reason. The bulk of the insulation originates from sand, which is one of the world’s most abundant natural resources. Other additional benefits of fiberglass insulation segments are that they are resistant to vermin, and are non-combustible (won’t catch fire) – an obvious bonus considering they are most always installed within the actual building frame. When properly installed in the roof, ceiling, or underfloor of a home, glass wool insulation can be expected last as long as the home itself.

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How is Fibreglass Made?

As the name suggestions, recycled glass is a key ingredient in the manufacturing of glass wool insulation. Together with other ingredients, such as soda ash, limestone and a significant portion of sand, this mix is then heated to melting point, before it is spun into long, super-thin threads of glass fiber. A binder is added to the mix, and after being baked in a large oven, the insulation is sliced up and cooled off, before being packaged.

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