Designing an Aquaponic Greenhouse for an Urban Food

2.3.1.5.3 Table Comparison of Different Insulation Materials

LOOSE FILL BATT SPRAY FOAM RIGID/BOARD-

STOCK

What it is Loose cellulose or

fiberglass is blown

into a wall cavity

or attic.

Batt insulation is

usually made of

mineral material

or fiberglass. It

also comes in

cotton (see

photo), but it’s

pricier and less

readily available.

Expanding spray

foams are applied

to surfaces to

block the transfer

of heat and cold.

There are two

types: two-pound

closed-cell foam,

which is both an

air and vapor

barrier, and half-

pound open-cell

foam, which must

be installed with a

vapor barrier.

Rigid boards of

foam, mineral

fiber or fiberglass.

Best for Retrofitting attics

and walls

Interior walls;

tight budgets

Closed-cell: most

applications,

including ceilings

and unvented

roof-decks; open-

cell: walls and

other moisture-

free spaces

Exteriors only,

either beneath

siding, below

ground level or on

roofs

R-value per inch 3 – 3.7 Mineral wool:

2.8–3.7;

fiberglass: 3–3.7

Closed-cell:5.5–

6; open-cell: 3.6

Foam: 3.6–6.7;

mineral fiber or

fiberglass: 4.2–4.5

Pros Inexpensive,

relatively easy to

have installed.

Can be blown in

via holes drilled

into the exterior

of homes with

lath and plaster

interior walls.

Fiberglass batt is

the cheapest

insulation

product. Mineral

wool made in

Canada contains

45 to 85 per cent

recycled material.

Closed-cell has

the second-

highest R-value

per inch of all

insulation types

and is great for

tight spaces and

unvented attics

due to its high R-

value per inch;

open-cell can be

used in virtually

any application.

Some rigid foam

has the highest R-

value per inch;

works well in wet

conditions

(fiberglass and

mineral fiber

products drain

water away).

Cons Not a do-it-

yourself project;

requires

specialized

Fiberglass batt:

not easy to cut,

which makes it

difficult to

Priciest insulation

option; must be

applied by a

specialized

Limited

applications;

generally installed

only as part of a