What is the greenest insulation to use for walls and roofs?
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What is the best material to use for wall and roof insulation?
Babak K
July 12, 2020Last updated: Sept. 25, 2020
Can you share what material you'd recommend to use for wall and roof insulation? Least toxic, and highest R factor? Wool, Fiberglass etc. Do you have a brand in mind that you'd recommend?
If you’re looking to learn what is the best home insulation, you’ll find a list of the pros and cons of different types of insulation here on this page –
What is the best insulation for a home?
There isn’t really a single right answer, it depends on a lot of factors and what your priorities are. From a sustainability point of view, we tend to point people towards insulation materials with lower carbon footprints, high recycled content, reduced chemical content, etc. In our last couple of builds we have used mineral wool insulation (common brand association being Rockwool formerly known as Roxul), and dense packed cellulose.
Very important along with which insulation you choose is proper installation to make sure it lasts. To that end, I would recommend reading about how to install siding so walls can dry, also read about the importance of air barriers for energy efficiency and durability. If walls are not built with airtightness and an ability to dry, they are at a far greater risk of developing mold and they will not perform as well.