Some batts and blankets now come with a thin plastic wrap to prevent some of the discomfort that comes with handling insulation. If your house has a flat roof or a mansard roof, or if your attic or basement area is otherwise restricted, installing will be difficult and you may need to hire a contractor. This type of insulation is usually made of glass fiber or rock wool. Batts and blankets are available with or without vapor barriers. Loose Fill Loose fill insulation is made from glass fiber, rock wool, treated cellulose, vermiculite, or perlite, and does not come with a vapor barrier.
Loose fill tends to settle in time.
Cellulose must be properly treated to be fire-resistant. Foam You can purchase cellular plastic products as either prefoamed sheets or batts, or they may be foamed in place by contractors using specialized equipment. Discuss these types with your retailer to determine which is the best for you. Foams possess other properties that may affect its long-term insulating value, such as moisture retention, shrinkage, spontaneous decomposition, and vermin resistance. Foams also burn, producing smoke and poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide.