I have some exposed duct work in my garage. I am looking to insulate it and was looking at the types of insulation. Is is better to use fiberglass or "bubble wrap" reflective roll insulation? I live in western Pennsylvania.
Fiberglass or reflective roll insulation for duct work
ductsinsulation
Related Solutions
Any time you have heating ductwork in an unheated area, it is very wise to insulate it. There are several products, but I tend to go with the high density, foil backed fiberglass wrap most of the time. The exact type differs depending on the shape of the ductwork. (round vs rectangular) I always seal any seams in the insulation with foil tape. To solve the uneven heating problem, you will need dampers in the shorter runs. By adjusting the dampers, you can balance the amount of hot air delivered to each register.
You're looking for Duct Wrap. It's actually an insulation in it's own right, being one side foil, and the other side fiber insulation. I see no reason why you couldn't apply it over top of the existing insulation, provided everything is dry.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/reflectix-duct-wrap-12x25/902353
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Best Answer
I prefer bubble wrap as it generally looks nicer and is easier to clean if looks are important. However the R value for single ply with no air gap is generally about R-4. To achieve R-6 you would need to provide an air gap by first cutting strips and then go over the strips with the bubble wrap. R-6 is generally considered the minimum. 2” faced fiberglass is generally R-6 as well.