NORTH BROWARD & BOCA Blog

Insulation 101: Flame Resistant VS Fire Retardant Insulation Materials

When choosing the services you want to schedule and the materials being placed in your home, you have a lot of considerations to take into account as a homeowner. Many households prioritize being economical and energy-efficient, but your comfort and safety shouldn't be compromised in the process. Although many individuals have the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy when it comes to insulation, you should approach the choice of materials with the same caution and care as you would any security system or pest control service.

Fire safety should be one factor you need to consider when deciding what kind of material to have installed in your walls, floors, and ceiling.

When it comes to insulation and fire safety, there are two categories that you will often hear about: flame resistant and fire retardant. Both types of insulation have their own unique benefits and are designed for different applications. Although some people use the terms interchangeably, there is a big difference between the two. As you take the time to choose the right insulation for your home, these differences can have a big impact on your decision.

Flame resistant materials are considered non-flammable. This means that their fire resistance is built into their chemistry. On the other hand, flame retardants require additional ingredients in their production to improve product safety. 

Flame retardants are chemically treated, providing fireproofing or self-extinguishing materials. It is important to remember that while no flame resistant or fire retardant will extinguish a house fire, they can provide a critical barrier to reduce the spread of fire in many situations.

Blown-In Fiberglass or Mineral Wool

Fiberglass or mineral wool are probably familiar to you as a homeowner; blown-in material is the "fluffy" insulation that lines your attic flooring. The rectangular objects that fit between wall studs and ceiling joists are called batt insulation. These substances are naturally non-combustible because they are fire-resistant. Even if it is less effective, this is still true for material that has considerably deteriorated. Fiberglass insulation is made of glass that has been spun into fibers and mixed with plastic polymers to make it fire resistant by nature. While fiberglass won't burn on its own, you should exercise caution when handling batts that could have combustible facings. A batt insulation product's facing is the kraft paper or foil that it is covered with when it is installed in areas like your walls. Additionally, a fire barrier that has been allowed by code is placed over these materials. It's critical to note the location of potentially dangerous chemicals after reviewing your insulating alternatives with a Koala Insulation expert.

Spray Foam Insulation

It's easy to understand why more and more individuals are choosing spray foam as a method of home insulation. Although it is a non-toxic and very effective insulating solution, how safe is it from fire? Can you confirm that it is not flammable and that using it in your house is safe? 

The idea that spray foam poses a serious fire risk to your home due to the chemicals used to manufacture it is a frequent misconception. Although spray foam ignites at a temperature of roughly 700°F, extra processes are needed to make the substance flame retardant. Spray foam is coated with an intumescent coating, which is frequently a sort of paint, after application. The material is shielded from high temperatures as a result of the protective barrier that is created. To put things into perspective, an intumescent coating is a substance that is frequently used to cover a variety of combustible materials and items in both residential and commercial buildings. And with a class 1 fire rating, spray foam can pretty much withstand a fire completely for about one hour.

Cellulose Insulation

Many homeowners think about installing blown-in cellulose while searching for energy-efficient solutions that are also secure and affordable. This kind of insulation is 80 percent recycled material, with recycled newspaper making up the majority of the material. However, cellulose material is chemically treated throughout production even if the components utilized are combustible. It is a flame-resistant material as a result.

It makes sense that some homeowners might think a fire-resistant material is more desirable than one that is flame-resistant. But keep in mind what we said earlier: neither kind of material will be able to put out a significant house fire. Instead, you should weigh all of these materials equally because they each offer unique benefits in a fire event.

Our team at Koala Insulation is committed to enhancing your comfort and safety as well as the comfort of your home. This includes making sure that our service provides you with installations that are not only affordable and energy-efficient, but also materials that have been treated and put through rigorous testing to increase the security of your home. Our industry specialists can provide information on your existing situation and how your safety and comfort can be improved if you have queries or concerns regarding the material currently in your house. To book your free evaluation and learn more about our safety initiatives, get in touch with our team at Koala Insulation of North Broward & Boca!