Which brand of insulation is best?

There is no single best brand of insulation for every application, but for residential homes three brands consistently rank at the top for quality, availability, and performance. For fiberglass batts and rolls, Owens Corning Pink Next Gen is widely considered the best overall premium brand. It is made in the USA, uses a 100 percent plant-based formaldehyde-free binder, is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions, and is softer and less dusty than older fiberglass. It is also the most available at Home Depot and carries a trademarked pink color. Johns Manville, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is considered the best value brand. Its ComfortTherm encapsulated batts and Climate Pro blown-in fiberglass offer the same R-value as Owens Corning for 10 to 15 percent less money, are also formaldehyde-free, and are favored by contractors. CertainTeed, owned by Saint-Gobain, is also excellent and offers great fiberglass batts and its InsulSafe SP blown-in fiberglass plus the popular MemBrain smart vapor retarder. For mineral wool, Rockwool is the best brand for fire resistance and soundproofing. For rigid foam, Owens Corning FOAMULAR for XPS and Rmax for polyiso are best. For cellulose, GreenFiber is the most available. Overall, Owens Corning wins for retail recognition, Johns Manville wins for contractor value, and Rockwool wins for fire and sound performance.