If you are building or renovating your house, you will surely have to go through the “insulation” step. It is a necessary step that will allow you to insulate your home, both thermally and acoustically. In addition to comfort, this step allows you to save money because it will limit your energy losses . So you won’t have to consume as much energy to heat it or keep it cool.
Whether in the attic, under the roof, in your walls or in the internal partitions of your house, you will not be able to escape the insulation.
Although there are several insulating materials, glass wool is the most used material in France. It represents 75% of the insulation market. But why is it so popular? What are its characteristics ? And above all, what is its cost?
Characteristics of glass wool
Glass wool is an insulating material made from sand, just like glass. It is brought to melting temperature then is centrifuged and blown in order to produce fibers. These fibers are then coated with resin and polymerized in an oven to make them water resistant.
It should not be confused with rock wool. This is another mineral insulator of the same quality that is made from other materials. Also, don’t confuse glass wool with cellulose wadding, which is also an insulating material, but almost exclusively intended for attic insulation.
The different shapes and their prices
Glass wool can take many forms. Here are their characteristics and their price.
The signs
In this case, the insulation is presented in the form of rectangular plates of glass wool. In general, they measure 130cm by 60cm. It is the most common format on the market.
It is possible to find these plates in a basic presentation or accompanied by a film of kraft paper glued on one of the sides. Kraft paper works as a vapor barrier, meaning it will reduce moisture problems in the attic. It is also possible to find these rectangular plates lined with a plasterboard plate, like BA13.
This format is ideal for creating partition, ceiling or cavity wall insulation . It facilitates their insulation because you will only have to slide them into the metal rails that you have mounted.
Rock wool panels come in various thicknesses, which vary their price. So count between € 3 and € 20 per square meter .
Rolls
These rolls are one meter wide and 2-4 meters long. They have the advantage of being able to cover large areas, and are ideal for insulating roofs or cladding .
Despite a different format, the rolls have exactly the same properties as the panels , both in terms of thermal and sound insulation.
In general, you can find this type of insulation between 3 € and 17 € per square meter depending on its thickness.
In bulk
This is the third and last format that glass wool can take. It is generally used for the insulation of lost attics or uninhabited surfaces .
When loose, glass wool comes in the form of flakes that will be spread over a flat surface. We will stack the layers to achieve a certain thickness. For the installation of bulk glass wool, it is recommended to use a machine to throw the flakes and easily cover the surface.
As for the price, you will need to count between € 2.50 and € 5 per kilo .
Laying glass wool
In general, the work of laying glass wool does not seem complex. For panels, for example, it suffices to slide them into the metal rails which are intended to receive them. However, its installation requires very precise technical know-how.
In addition, glass wool is a product that is relatively irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract . You must therefore take care to protect yourself properly before handling it.
Finally, it is important to be able to determine what type of glass wool is best suited to insulate your home, and what thickness to put on. This is subject to very complex technical considerations and standards. However, incorrect calculations at this level can have negative effects on your heating: you could face poor insulation, or on the contrary over-insulation. Either way, it will cost you money because you will have poor heat retention or coolness.
For all these reasons, we recommend that you call in a building professional. This will have the necessary tools to carry out the installation in complete safety and will be able to comply with the technical standards in force . In addition, he can advise you on the type of glass wool that best suits your project.
It is best to hire a professional to lay the glass wool.
Cost of installation
As we have just explained, it is strongly recommended to hire a professional craftsman accustomed to this type of installation, in particular if the surface to be insulated is large enough or if it is an attic.
For a loose installation, also called « flocking », it is even mandatory to call in a professional. Indeed, this installation requires very specialized equipment, a significant technical know-how and very specific protections, because the insulating products are very irritating.
The price of installing glass wool ranges from € 15 to € 50 per square meter depending on the difficulty of the installation, the technique and the accessibility of the place to be insulated.
To get a more precise idea, you will need to request quotes from several craftsmen . This will allow you to compare the different benefits. Glass wool being the most common material for working the insulation of a home, you should not have difficulty finding several craftsmen with experience. You can also discuss your project with them so that they can guide you as well as possible.
We recommend that you compare at least three service quotes in order to get a better idea of the market prices in your region. Finally, do not hesitate to inquire about the experience of the professionals from whom you will ask for information in order to ensure that they are working properly. Indeed, the insulation work of your home has a direct impact on your short-term comfort and on your long-term economy. It is better to invest a little more now in good insulation than to have to start over in a few years.