This page refers to thermal insulation. For electrical insulation see insulators, and for sound insulation see sound proofing. Often the same techniques used for thermal insulation can be used for sound insulation as well.
Insulation is sometimes confused with either weatherization or thermal mass, but is distinct from both.
Insulation is the practice of providing a barrier surrounding, or within a building or other object to slow the conductive flow of heat. A reflective barrier is often added to insulation to slow radiative heat flow.
Insulation is used not only for buildings, but also for stoves, refrigerators, freezers, hot water heaters and some other appliances where it's important to slow heat flow, and in many industrial applications.
Commonly-used types of insulation in residential construction include:
- Fiberglass
- Polyurethane foam
- Polystyrene foam
- Cellulose insulation
See also: