Looking to cut energy bills while lowering your environmental impact? Smart insulation choices can do both. The right materials keep heat where you want it, reduce noise, and create year-round comfort without relying on products that strain the planet.

Greener insulation types and where they shine

Blanket batts and rolls (fiberglass or mineral wool). The familiar pink or gray batts are reliable for open walls, attics, and basements. Mineral wool costs more but resists moisture and is naturally fire-resistant, making it excellent for garages or rim joists.

Loose-fill or blown-in (cellulose or fiberglass). A strong option for attics and wall cavities in older homes. Cellulose made largely from recycled paper settles around wires and odd framing for excellent coverage. Learn more about how we install it on our attic insulation installation page.

Spray foam. Open-cell versions dampen sound; closed-cell adds a vapor barrier and delivers the highest per-inch R-value, perfect for rim joists and crawl spaces. Due to ventilation needs, this one is best handled professionally.

Rigid foam boards. Used on exteriors, basement walls, or attic hatches, these boards cut thermal bridging through studs and improve comfort when applied continuously on the outside of a building.

Radiant barriers and reflective foils. A great add-on in hot, sunny climates. They reflect heat but don’t replace insulation.

SIPs and ICFs. Structural insulated panels and insulated concrete forms create efficient shells in new builds. Not for retrofits, but excellent when building from scratch.

If your attic already has contaminated or rodent-damaged material, schedule attic cleaning and sanitation first to avoid trapping old problems under new insulation.

R-values explained simply

R-value measures how well insulation resists heat flow. Higher values mean better performance:

• Fiberglass batts: R-3.2 to R-3.7 per inch
• Cellulose (blown-in): R-3.2 to R-3.8
• Mineral wool: R-3.7 to R-4.3
• Open-cell spray foam: R-3.5 to R-3.8
• Closed-cell spray foam: R-6.0 to R-7.0
• Rigid foam: EPS ~R-3.6–4.2, XPS ~R-4.5–5.0, polyiso ~R-5.6–6.5

A well-sealed R-38 attic usually performs better than a leaky R-49. That’s why air sealing paired with insulation is the winning formula. See more on our insulation services overview.

What makes insulation eco-friendly

Cellulose leads the pack with high recycled content and low energy use in production. Mineral wool, made from rock or slag, resists moisture, adds fire protection, and often includes recycled content. Fiberglass is widely available and incorporates recycled glass, though installers need PPE.

Natural materials like sheep’s wool, cork, wood fiber, and recycled denim are premium options with low toxicity. They may be costlier but are valued in sustainable builds. Foam products excel thermally but come from petrochemicals choose newer versions with low-GWP blowing agents when performance benefits outweigh footprint concerns.

What to weigh before choosing

Performance is about more than R-value. Air sealing, thermal bridging, and moisture control are just as important. In damp spaces, closed-cell spray foam or mineral wool performs best. Around chimneys, fire resistance matters most.

Also weigh indoor air quality, cost versus return, and long-term recyclability. Cellulose and fiberglass deliver strong value, while mineral wool offers added durability. Closed-cell spray foam is expensive but solves multiple issues at once.

A simple path to a greener, comfier home

Start with an attic inspection, it’s usually the fastest route to comfort and savings. If the space is dirty or contaminated, book attic cleaning and sanitation first. Seal leaks, then insulate. Match the material to the job: cellulose for attics, mineral wool in damp areas, foam where space is tight.

If ducts run through the attic, pair insulation with air duct upgrades. The combined efficiency gains make a noticeable difference.

Check our attic insulation installation page or full insulation services to see what fits your home best. We’ll make the options clear, the process straightforward, and the results comfortable.

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