Although there are many different options for home insulation, the more traditional standards tend to be fiberglass, polystyrene and rock wool. These synthetic materials, however, often contain harsh, irritating chemicals. And many home owners might not be aware of this but there are better options available. As eco sensitivity grows, more and more consumers are choosing natural options for keeping their Bethesda homes warm.
Natural insulations have lower toxicity levels, making them healthier to have in your home, and better for the environment.
Today, I’m going to share with you some organic insulation options to keep you toasty all winter long, naturally.
Recycled textiles. Insulation made from old blue jeans? Yep, that’s a thing. Cotton insulation batts—made from jeans and other old fabrics—perform just as well as fiberglass, but without that nasty formaldehyde.
Wood fiber. Wood fiber and/or hemp fiber is highly permeable, allowing moisture to pass easily through. However, it can be highly flammable, which can obviously pose a great risk.
Expanded cork. Cork performs well with both heating and cooling your home, and contains no synthetics. This insulation option is the most environmentally friendly, and the most efficient, but unfortunately, it is also the most expensive.
Sheep’s wool. Sheep’s wool is an excellent insulation that actually doubles as an air filtration system, naturally pulling chemicals from the air. Depending on your location, there are many options for finding sheep’s wool insulation. You can look for wool batts, created from wool waste leftover by the textile-industry, or wool sheared directly from sheep.
Whatever natural insulation option you choose, be sure to work with a qualified installer to assure your Bethesda home is properly—and safely—insulated.
Contact Us for More Bethesda, Maryland Home Tips!
If you found today’s blog helpful and are interested in receiving more valuable tips that you can utilize as a Bethesda home owner, please contact me, Melinda Estridge, and my team of Washington DC area real estate experts.
And please also consider contacting us if and when you decide to buy or sell real estate on the local housing market in Bethesda. We would be glad to help!
Until next time,
Melinda
