Insulation myths
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Q
Myth: R-value refers to the thickness of the insulation.
False.
Truth: R-value refers to insulation's resistance to heat flow, not to its thickness. Tiny air pockets trapped in the insulating material stop the movement of heat. In this way, insulation prevents heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
The higher the insulation's R-value, the better it is at trapping heat.
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Q
Myth: Formaldehyde in glass wool causes cancer
False.
Truth: Glass wool insulation has been proved to be safe from formaldehyde risks.
Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Glass wool contains only minute traces of formaldehyde. Scientific tests* confirm that these trace amounts are not dangerous to human health or to the environment.
Trace levels of formaldehyde are found in many household products, such as paper towels, cosmetics and dollar notes. Formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. It is produced in small amounts by most living organisms as part of normal metabolic processes.
*The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Q
Myth: Glass wool can catch fire
False.
Truth: Pink® Batts® insulation is highly fire-resistant. It is made glass and sand, both of which are non-combustible. This means Pink® Batts® insulation won’t catch fire or melt easily.Pink® Batts®’ fire-resistant properties differ from some types of insulation which are fire-retardant only. Fire-retardant insulation will burn as long as it’s exposed to a flame.
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Q
Myth: Stuffing thicker insulation into a smaller space will increase its R-value.
False.
Truth: Bulk insulation, such as glass wool insulation, works on the principle of trapped air pockets. By compressing glass wool insulation, you decrease the amount of air trapped in the material, which reduces its overall R-value.
This means compressing a thick product into a small space won't necessarily give you a higher level of insulation.
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Q
Myth: Glass wool fibres pose a risk to health.
False.
Truth: Extensive research by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IACR) has proven that glass wool is not considered a cancer-causing substance.
During installation, the highest levels of glass wool fibres in the air are well below the level which might cause mild breathing problems in animals. Even if you inhale glass wool fibres into your lungs, most fibres dissolve and disappear quickly with no adverse health effects. You also can’t absorb glass fibres through your skin.
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Q
Myth: Insulating the ceiling will just force more heat to leak out of the windows.
False.
Truth: Adding insulation to one part of a home won't mean heat will be forced out through other areas. However, poorly insulated areas will continue to be major sources of heat loss. Reduce heating and cooling costs by ensuring that each area of your home is insulated to the New Zealand Building Code recommended R-values.
