{"id":1898,"date":"2022-05-18T12:36:05","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T12:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1898"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:34:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:34:01","slug":"what-is-the-thinnest-most-effective-insulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/what-is-the-thinnest-most-effective-insulation\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Thinnest, Most Effective Insulation?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you want to insulate your home, you want the best possible insulation that will be effective, thin, and affordable. We can\u2019t always get everything we want, but maybe we can get the best insulation for our needs with a little luck. I had to insulate my attic a while ago, but I had no idea what insulations would work best. So, what is the thinnest, most effective insulation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thinnest, most effective insulation material is aerogel. This material is the lightest, most flexible, and thinnest insulation globally. Aerogel is made from gel, where the liquid component has been substituted by gas. Kingspan comes in second with a thin insulation material called OPTIM-R.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After doing a lot of research, I found that the two best insulations that are not only effective but thin are Aerogel and Kingspan OPTIM-R. I had to learn more about these two innovative insulation materials, so I enlisted the help of a contractor who explained these products in more detail. I thought I would share the information I gathered in this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two insulations that fit these criteria are Aerogel and Kingspan OPTIM-R. We will take a closer look at both of these insulations and explain why they are the two thinnest and most effective insulation materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aerogel comes in various standard materials like silica aerogel, metal aerogel, and carbon aerogel, but the most effective one to use for insulation is silica aerogel. Samuel Stephens Kistler first invented aerogel in 1931. This came about because he had a running bet going with Charles Learned about who would be able to replace the liquid in \u2018jellies\u2019 without having the \u2018jellies\u2019 shrink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aerogel is a lightweight product that can be used in very thin insulation blankets and boards. Only a small amount, like an inch of the aerogel material, can spread over 5 football fields. This material is unknown but is starting to gain more popularity despite the price as people realize its potential as an insulating material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NASA was among the first to realize this potential, and they started working on the way to incorporate aerogel into blankets for their astronauts and other places they might need insulation. It is lightweight and incredible insulation properties were a huge win for space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aerogel is created by extracting the liquid of the gel by freeze-drying or supercritical drying the gel. This, in turn, helps dry the liquid in the gel without causing the solid matrix in the gel to collapse. What you are left with is a material that is 99.8% air but is strong and durable. Silica aerogel is usually used in insulation as it is the best thermal insulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This product may have gel in the name, but it is a solid thin material that works better than most other insulations because it almost eliminates two out of the three methods of heat transfer; convection and conduction. Aerogel has one of the lowest thermal conductivity of any known solid and has an R-Value of R-40\/m, making it perfect for most insulation applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The aerogel is seethrough but can have a blue undertone. This technology is so effective that NASA has used aerogel as thermal insulation for the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Science Lander, and the Mars Exploration Rovers. Another application for aerogel that NASA has been using for 20 years is a hypervelocity particle capture medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NASA is also working on a technology that will allow them to make aerogel entirely from polymers. It would mean an insulation material that is strong and flexible and would eliminate the fragility that is present when using silica-based aerogel for insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are also working on getting the polymer aerogel as thin as possible and have stated that it would create one of the thinnest and strongest insulation materials that are flexible without being brittle and breaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the thinnest aerogel insulation products is the Aerogel Microporous Blanket. This aerogel insulation material is only 10mm thick and can be used in a number of different applications, including pipes, vessels, and tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The aerogel microporous blanket is made from silica aerogel and reinforced with non-woven fiberglass batting, making it hydrophobic (meaning it repels water). That is great news as it helps the material under the insulation stay dry, and it\u2019s environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like other products, there are pros and cons to using aerogel insulation. I have put together a list of both to help you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One big advantage of using aerogel insulation is that it\u2019s made into flexible blankets that make it easy to cut to size on-site and in any shape you need. These blanket rolls are thin and easy to work with, meaning they take up less space, and you can easily cut them to the size you need before installing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also leave you more space to work with because you can maneuver them into the smallest nooks and crannies without any problem to give you maximum insulation without having gaps that normal insulation material would have a hard time getting into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because aerogel has the lowest K-Value, it allows aerogel systems to have the thinnest profile (up to 3x times thinner than other insulation materials like Rockwell and calcium silicate). It\u2019s an advantage that makes using aerogel insulation especially suited to use in contained spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aerogel is not only thin, but it\u2019s the lightest solid in the world. That means it\u2019s easier to work with, and it won\u2019t add weight to the building structure, pipes, or any other place you need insulation where weight might be a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the issues with conventional insulation is that gaps and cracks in the underlying systems can cause water and moisture to penetrate the insulation. When the insulation gets wet, it can cause issues with the underlying material, such as swelling and warping of wood and metal corrosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is called CUI or corrosion under insulation. Aerogel is different because, unlike some of the other insulation materials like Rockwool, ceramic fiber, calcium silicate, and microporous materials, aerogel is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and keeps the underlying material dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of aerogel\u2019s breathability, water vapor will pass through the insulation without accumulating and keep the underlying systems dry. The fact that it\u2019s hydrophobic and its breathability reduces the risk of CUI immensely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are using insulation like Rockwool, organic binders are used. The purpose of this is to hold the fibers together in their supplied form. If, however, the temperature exceeds 392F, these binders break down, and the fibers come loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When regular maintenance is done, you can easily see where the insulation has started to become brittle and sag. This insulation becomes useless once taken out and has to be thrown away. This is where aerogel is different. Aerogel does not have any organic binders, and to keep it thermally and physically stable, it can be reused after maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are installing systems with high temperatures, using aerogel would be best as it can withstand temperatures of up to 1200F. Other insulation materials can only withstand around 392F. So aerogel insulation is a great option if you want to insulate a geyser, hot water pipes, or places where there is a lot of heat that you need to keep contained.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is The Thinnest, Most Effective Insulation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Aerogel Insulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does Aerogel Work?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Is The Thinnest Aerogel?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Are The Advantages Of Using Aerogel Insulation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Aerogel Insulation Is Flexible<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Aerogel Has The Lowest K-Value<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Aerogel Is Lightweight<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s Hydrophobic But Breathable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
You Don\u2019t Need To Use Organic Binders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It Can Withstand High Temperatures<\/h4>\n\n\n\n