What are the main advantages of foam glass, also known as cellular glass? In what forms are foam glass insulation elements produced, and where can they be used? For what applications is loose-fill cellular glass, or granules, ideal? What are the disadvantages of foam glass, and is it just the high price?
Fiberglass, stone wool, polystyrene, and multipor are all types of insulation materials that are popular in the US and widely used in construction. Technology advances, and one of the newer solutions available on the market, although not as popular here, is cellular glass or foam glass.
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Foam glass is an insulation material with excellent properties, but its high cost is currently the main reason it is not widely used. Another consequence is that there are very few contractors trained to work with this type of insulation material, so the cost is just one of the problems.
What is cellular glass? It is an insulation material based on glass. It is produced by heating glass and mixing it with carbon dioxide. This process creates a porous structure full of air bubbles, giving this material excellent insulation properties.
Main Advantages of Cellular Glass
One advantage is that about 60% of broken glass is used in the production of foam glass, which promotes recycling. Depending on the type of added additives, foam glass can be cream, black, or green in color.
The advantages of this material are numerous. Foam glass has a low density, ranging from 7.5 to 12.5 pounds per cubic foot, making it suitable for insulating roof structures, flat roofs, and high-rise buildings.
Cellular glass is a strong insulation material with excellent load-bearing capacity, making it a good choice for floor insulation. It also allows moisture to pass through and is resistant to its effects. Even after prolonged exposure to moisture, the insulation does not lose its shape or properties. Additionally, foam glass is porous, allowing water to pass through, which can be useful in certain applications.
Another notable fact is that foam glass is a non-combustible insulation material and falls into the A1 class of non-combustibility.
Forms and Uses of Cellular Glass
For insulating external walls, foam glass panels with a thickness of 4 or 4.7 inches are used. It is also possible to insulate walls from the inside using 2.4-inch thick panels, which saves interior space.
Foam glass is also used for insulating pipes, and specially shaped insulation segments are made for this purpose. Another form in which foam glass is produced and used is loose-fill, or granules. Granules are used where pre-shaped insulation elements cannot be applied. Loose-fill granules are also used for insulating floors and inter-floor constructions.
Disadvantages of Cellular Glass Insulation
As mentioned, the biggest drawbacks of foam glass are its high cost, limited availability, and the fact that there are not enough qualified installers trained to work with this material.
Foam glass panels are solid but very easy to work with. They can be cut with a saw, similar to multipor insulation. However, since it is a glass-based material, adequate protective equipment is needed, similar to working with fiberglass and stone wool.
Although foam glass is strong and has high load-bearing capacity, it lacks flexibility. Unlike EPS panels, polystyrene, or stone and fiberglass wool, even minor changes in the structure of the building (settling, dilation, etc.) can cause foam glass to crack.
Photo & Info: Foamglas, AeroAggregates