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or to the interior of the home in the summer months-from the interior to the exterior during the winter months-often becoming trapped in the wall cavities and condensing. Prolonged condensation in wall cavities can cause harmful mildew and mold growth, reducing the life of wall studs and other building materials on the interior and exterior of the wall cavity. Mold can also cause health problems for those who live or work in the building.

With the help of a breathable vapor retarder facing, fiberglass insulation is a powerful weapon against moisture and the damage it causes in homes and buildings. A standard vapor barrier's job is to resist the movement of water vapor to cold surfaces. A breathable vapor barrier, though, will change its permeability with the fluctuation of humidity levels from season to season. This "smart" facing enables insulation to evacuate moisture from walls in the extreme humidity of summer and winter dryness, helping to keep a home's wall cavities dry year-round. Breathable vapor barriers are available either separately or pre-attached to fiberglass batt and roll insulation.

Because of its ability to keep moisture out of walls and help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, fiberglass insulation with breathable vapor barrier facings enhances the sustainability of a building, making it a popular item on green construction specification sheets.

Acoustic Control

Putting fiberglass insulation in the wall cavity is the easiest and most cost-effective way to combat unwanted noise in residential and commercial buildings, as it absorbs sound waves and reduces sound transmission. An insulated floor, wall or ceiling will have an improved Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating when compared to a similar building section with no insulation. For example, 3l12" of acoustic fiberglass insulation teamed with wood studs and gypsum board directly fastened or mounted to a resilient channel can improve the STC from four to I I points, depending upon construction details.

Looking at the facts, it's plain to understand that fiberglass insulation earns its keep in the home and office. If building products retailers and distributors understand the performance benefits of fiberglass insulation, it can become a more profitable product for them and their contractor customers.