Beyond the "pink" stuff

Made from one of the world's most abundant materials, silca sand, fibreglass insulation has long been the product of choice for both do-it-yourselfer and professional.

In recent years, however, it has come under increasing criticism for the health risks it poses to installers and home occupants. Microscopic slivers of glass that can break loose during handling and be inhaled, have been linked to the buildup of fibrous tissue in the lung, as well as lung cancer.

Standard fibreglass insulation has also typically been made with formaldehyde-based binding-agents - a known skin, eye and respiratory irritant and probable carcinogen.

While proper protective gear, and new formaldehyde-free versions can address many of these concerns, for those looking to go green while saving a bit of green, there are a number of healthier, eco-friendly insulation products now on the market.

The following is a brief look at several that are readily available in Canada.

KEEP THE PRESSES ROLLING

Made primarily from shredded, recycled newspaper, cellulose is considered one of the most environmentally friendly insulations on the market today. In addition to helping give millions of Vancouver Sun papers a new life, cellulose is generally less expensive than the pink stuff, and can provide more insulation per inch than low-density fibreglass.

When treated with boric acid, natural product that thwarts mold, increases fire resistance and discourages hungry insects, a simple facemask is all that is required to protect installers from wayward fibres.

Here in B.C., cellulose is typically blown dry into walls, ceiling cavities and attics. Some of its disadvantages include its tendency to settle or sag over time, thus leading to air spaces, and the potential for it to absorb moisture. While cellulose itself is a cheaper material, as qualified professional installers are required for installation, over-all costs can be higher than those for fibreglass batting.

RALPH LAUREN HOME COLLECTION

Cotton insulation, also known as denim insulation, uses recycled cotton-fibre trimmings, primarily from denim production.

Bonded Logic's UltraTouch Insulation is made from 85-per-cent post-industrial cotton fiber and 15% plastic fiber. Treated with borate, similar to boric acid, UltraTouch is purported to be 100-per-cent recyclable and VOC- and formaldehyde-free.

While cotton batting has an R-value similar to cellulose and doesn't require a Hazmat suit to install, it can be more expensive than both.

It is also important to note that although safe from a human health standpoint, cotton itself is one of the most chemical-intensive crops in the world.

SPUN ROCKS

Mineral wool, slag wool, and rock wool have been used widely as insulation in the United States, Canada and Europe for many years.

Wool insulation is similar to fibreglass, except that the fibres come from stone or iron-ore blast furnace waste.

Although wool insulation is much heavier and costs more than fibreglass and cellulose, it does offer some substantial benefits such as greater moisture and heat resistance.

As mineral wool insulation is noncombustible, withstanding temperatures in excess of 1,800 degrees, it also acts as a fire barrier.

Limited to batt form, mineral wool is more often found in exterior renovations where it doubles as a rain screen under siding. Like fibreglass, special care must be taken to avoid inhaling any fibres that might break loose.

ALL YOU NEED IS A DROP

Expanding to nearly 100 times its original volume, Icynene is currently one of the leading spray foam or polyurethane insulation products on the market.

Troy Glasner, president of EKOS Building Solutions, refers to it as the ''green'' spray foam.

Unlike other similar products, the production of Icynene doesn't use CFCs, nor does the finished product outgas harmful chemicals. Resistant to water vapor, Icynene does not settle or shrink, and unlike nearly all other insulation materials, retains its R-value over time.

"Icynene is not perfect," says Glasner. ''It is a petroleum-based product, but it is better than nearly everything else currently available."

MORE FLUFFY STUFF

While not currently available in Canada, check out hempflax.com on the Internet to read about another other material that could be making its way between your walls and above your ceilings - hemp.

(provided by Kim Davis/Vancouver Sun)