Johns Manville Vs. Owens Corning Insulation: Which Is Better?

When it comes to insulating your home, Johns Manville and Owens Corning are two of the biggest names in the game.

Both companies make fiberglass and mineral wool insulation products for walls, attics, basements and more. But which brand truly offers the best performance and value?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Johns Manville and Owens Corning insulation side-by-side, looking at key factors like r-value, health/safety, cost, warranties and more. By the end, you’ll have all the details needed to decide which insulation brand is right for your next project.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Johns Manville	Owens Corning
Type of Insulation	Fiberglass, mineral wool	Fiberglass
R-value	3.1-4.3 per inch	3.7 per inch
Health/Safety	No added formaldehydes, UL Environment certified	No added formaldehydes, UL Environment certified
Cost	$$ (premium price)	$ (more budget-friendly)
Warranty	Lifetime limited	10-30 years based on product
Availability	Through distributors, may need to special order	Widely available at major home stores
Reputation	Premium, professional grade	Reliable, affordable performance
Ease of Installation	Require more skill	DIY-friendly features

Detail Comparison Of Johns Manville And Owens Corning

R-Value

The r-value is the measurement of an insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the r-value, the better the product is at insulating and saving energy.

Johns Manville and Owens Corning both offer fiberglass batts and rolls with similar r-values:

• Johns Manville R-13 batts have an r-value around 3.1-3.7 per inch
• Owens Corning R-13 bats also have an r-value around 3.7 per inch

For blowing wool and loosefill insulation, r-values are also very comparable:

• Johns Manville blowing wool has an r-value of 3.4-4.3 per inch
• Owens Corning ProPink® L77 loosefill insulation has an r-value of 3.7 per inch

While there are slight variations between products, in general Johns Manville and Owens Corning fiberglass insulations offer similar thermal performance and resistance to heat flow per inch.

Health and Safety

A key concern for many homeowners is whether insulation contains hazardous materials that can affect indoor air quality.

The good news is that both Johns Manville and Owens Corning have worked extensively to make their fiberglass and mineral wool products safer and greener.

Johns Manville insulation is made with Bio-Based binders, which have no added formaldehyde. It’s also certified by UL Environment to be formaldehyde-free.

Owens Coming says its fiberglass is made with a minimum of 60% recycled glass, and also has no added formaldehyde. It’s certified by UL Environment and GREENGUARD.

So from a health standpoint, Johns Manville and Owens Corning are on par—using recycled materials and low-VOC binders. This makes both brands good options for homeowners concerned about indoor air quality.

As long as proper safety precautions are taken during installation, fiberglass and mineral wool are considered safe insulation materials by health organizations. Off-gassing or air quality issues are very minimal with modern insulation.

Cost Comparison

When comparing Owens Corning Vs. Johns Manville insulation on cost, Owens Corning tends to come in at the more budget-friendly price point.

Here are some example price differences on Lowe’s.com:

• Owens Corning R-13 Batt: $18.98
• Johns Manville R-13 Batt: $26.99
• Owens Corning R-30 Batt: $39.98
• Johns Manville R-30 Batt: $59.99

For blown-in wall insulation:

• Owens Corning ProPink Wall Insulation Kit (covers 70 sq ft): $39.98
• Johns Manville Wall Insulation Kit (covers 35 sq ft): $49.99

So ounce-for-ounce, Owens Corning fiberglass insulation generally costs 25-40% less than the comparable Johns Manville product.

However, the price difference may be worth it for some homeowners who really value the top-tier quality and performance provided by the Johns Manville brand. But for those on a tight budget, Owens Corning delivers exceptional value.

Warranties

The warranty coverage offered on these two brands is also quite different.

Johns Manville insulation comes with one of the best warranties in the industry. Their products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, protecting against loss of R-value due to manufacturing defects.

Owens Corning insulation warranties are not quite as strong. Here’s a quick look:

• Batt insulation – 20 year limited warranty
• Roll insulation – 10 year limited warranty
• Loosefill insulation – 30 year limited warranty

So Johns Manville offers superior warranty coverage for the long run. While Owens Corning still provides decent protection for their products, Johns Manville insulation truly stands out when it comes to the manufacturer’s warranty.

Availability

Both Johns Manville and Owens Corning insulation products are sold at major home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes. Owens Corning tends to have broader availability nationwide since they are the bigger manufacturer.

Johns Manville insulation may be harder to source depending on your location, since they are sold through a more limited group of distributors. You’ll want to check availability before purchasing, especially if using a local contractor for installation.

But in general, both brands should be readily available in most areas—Owens Corning enjoys wider in-store availability while Johns Manville may need to be special ordered.

Performance Reputation

When it comes to brand reputation among contractors and insulation professionals, Johns Manville products are most often considered the premium option.

Johns Manville has been in the insulation business for over 160 years. Their products are trusted for consistent quality, density and performance. Contractors often prefer working with Johns Manville insulation.

Also watch this video about Johns Manville!

Owens Corning also has a strong industry reputation, as one of the largest manufacturers of fiberglass insulation. Their products offer reliable performance at a more affordable price point.

Overall, Johns Manville insulation is seen as a top-tier, high-performance brand. Owens Corning offers greater value and availability. Both are quality brands that perform well.

Ease of Installation

For DIYers, Owens Corning insulation may have a slight edge when it comes to installation.

Owens Corning batts feature a SmartStop® flap, which makes it easy to create a tight fit and hold the insulation in place. Their ProPink® loosefill insulation also includes an insulation delivery machine rental to make blowing insulation into walls and attics hassle-free.

Johns Manville doesn’t offer the handy features that simplify DIY installation in the same way. Their products may be a little more challenging for novices to install.

For professional installers, ease of installation is not as much of a concern. Overall, both brands offer fiberglass insulation that can be installed properly with some care and know-how.

Also Read: Is Owens Corning Better Than Knauf Insulation?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Bottom Line

So, which is better, Johns Manville or Owens Corning insulation? Here are some quick key takeaways:

Johns Manville Pros:

• Slightly higher r-values
• Lifetime limited warranty
• Premium reputation for performance
• More “professional grade”

Owens Corning Pros:

• More affordable cost
• Easier for DIY installation
• Broader availability at home stores

Ultimately, Johns Manville insulation stands out as the high-end professional’s choice, while Owens Corning offers greater value and accessibility.

Johns Manville is ideal for those wanting top-tier thermal performance and warranty coverage. Homeowners on a tight budget are better off with the low prices of Owens Corning.

Either brand is likely to deliver energy savings and a more comfortable home. By choosing the right product for your needs and budget, you can enjoy the benefits of improved insulation with both Johns Manville and Owens Corning.