|
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
Contact
Us |
|

|

Insulating Your Home with Alternative Materials |

|
|
|
Because the average household
generates 50-70% of its energy bill through heating and
cooling, properly insulating your home is one of the easiest
ways to cut back on energy usage and lower your bills year
round. Most conventional insulators, such as fiberglass and
mineral wool contain carcinogenic resins and can be
challenging to install. Green entrepreneurism has generated
a number of affordable alternative insulators that are made
of eco-friendly materials, which are healthier for your
family and the environment. Here are some alternative to
fiberglass and mineral wool to consider for your insulation
project:
- Natural Fibers,
particularly those made from recycled denim, have been
growing in popularity with sustainable builders. This
type of insulation is manufactured with 85 % recycled
cotton material, contains no chemical irritants and
requires no warning labels. If you insulate with natural
fibers you are also ensuring that those faded 501's,
which were headed toward the landfill, can now be
recycled into the walls of your home.
- Cellulose is another
popular option. Made from100% recycled newspapers and
cardboard, this alternative requires substantially less
energy to manufacture and install than traditional
insulation. Cellulose is available as a loose fill or
spray-on material so it fills every crevice, preventing
energy loss through drafts and condensation caused by
air infiltration. Cellulose costs the same as
fiberglass, but is much more environmentally friendly
and is just as readily available.
- Paint-on insulation
is one of the most flexible of all the emerging
materials. This product, named Nansulate, utilizes
nanotechnology. Microscopic particles fused with
acrylic resin create a nontoxic,
environmentally-friendly product that is both water and
mold resistant. Though more costly than other options,
paint-on insulation can be applied to ceilings, walls,
and flooring, making it the most versatile of all the
insulators.
- Greensulate is
the newest insulating material created from oyster
mushrooms. It is by far the cheapest and greenest of
all the options, with a forecast manufacturing cost of
$1 per square foot. Greensulate is 100% natural,
biodegradable, and fire retardant, so it does not
require additional chemicals and will biodegrade when it
is no longer in use. This technology is winning global
attention with its unique ability to decrease carbon
emissions on a globally significant scale.
|
|
|
|
If you found value in this edition of Sea & Ski Country's e-Letter, please forward it to colleagues and friends who may also be interested.
If there's something you would like to see included in a future edition of eLetter,
please let me know at
newsletter@seaandski.on.ca
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please
click here
|
ŠJANUARY 2011 No use of articles, in part or in full, or use of photos in this newsletter are permitted without the written or verbal permission of Sea & Ski Realty Ltd. Brokerage |
|
|