If you work in an environment with airborne hazards, like fiberglass, having a respirator is practically mandatory, as they protect you from such hazards. They do this in two ways: filtering out dangers as they come into contact with filters, or providing you with an alternate source of air. A respirator is a must have if you work in a dangerous air environment. There are two types of respirators that function differently to achieve the same end result, which we’ll cover below.
What are the Types of Respirators?
The two types of respirators out there will provide you with clean air in two different ways. The first is Atmosphere Supplying Respirators (ASR) and the second is Air Purifying Respirators (APR). At the end of the day, they both do the same thing, but the way they go about it is different, and each is better suited to a different environment. More on that below.
Atmosphere Supplying Respirators
ASRs are devices that give you clean air from an alternate source than the atmosphere around you. A SCUBA tank is a fine example: you carry a tank of clean air on your back, and a tube connects it to your mask, allowing you to breathe clean oxygen. While definitely the most secure of respirators, there’s little need for ASRs outside of super dangerous environments where hazards can’t be filtered or the oxygen level is just too low to breathe. That being the case, it’s unlikely that an ASR would be the right choice for protection from fiberglass, but it nevertheless is an option.
Air-Purifying Respirators
APRs work similar to an air conditioning unit. They use a filtration membrane to catch dust and particles before you breathe the air itself. This of course includes fiberglass, making APR the most common choice in such scenarios. You could use an ASR for protection against fiberglass, but it’s not necessary: an APR is more than enough to get the job done, and they are generally a lot less expensive and more available to the public.
That said, you should always talk with the boss of your work environment to see what type of device they recommend using. If you are the one in charge, contacting an industrial hygienist is the best way to discern what type of protective gear your employees need. That said, if you know what you need already, you can dive right into our product reviews of masks for fiberglass insulation.
Product Name | Design | Material | Weight | Harness, Material | Full/ half Face Protection | Included filter | Comfort | Durability | Pros | Cons | Price | |
 | Silicone | 15.0 ounces | Over Head, Nylon+ Rubber | Full | No | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | Excellent facial girp, superb filteration | Does not come included with filters | |||
 | PVC | 2.1 Pounds | Over Head, Padded Polyester | Full | Yes | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | Excelleent built quality, fine filters | Padded polyester may cause swet | |||
 | Rubber Silicone | 2.0 pounds | Over Head, PVC Rubber | Full | No | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | Harness is very comfortable | Expensive | |||
 | Silicone | 1.4 pounds | Over Head, Silicone | Full | Yes | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 3M filteration, fine filteration element | Silicone head strap may cause strain | |||
 | PVC+ Rubber Silicone | 1.4 Pounds | Over head, Silicone Rubber | Full | No | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | extended face protection, better vision | Filters not included |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
3M 6800 Full Facepiece Respirator 6000 Series
This is an Air-Purifying Respirator that we have chosen as our number one pick as a respirator for fiberglass insulation for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it is a trustworthy brand. Admittedly, brand names aren’t everything and they tend to be a little more expensive, but they are generally more reliable as well.
This 3M full face respirator for fiberglass is a solid choice because it has a bit of everything. There’s no denying that it is a bit expensive, but the reason it costs more than some masks is because the lens is ANSI certified. This means that the mask not only protects you from fiberglass in the air, but from any dangerous flying projectiles as well. This mask is also extremely lightweight and is made of silicone rubber for comfort and fitting to the face, with a wide lens for maximum visual range. Unfortunately, cartridges and filters are sold separately, but the mask is compatible with a wide variety of filters, and while that makes the overall purchase a little more expensive, it’s a small price to pay for having an actual shield between your eyes and dangerous hazards.
Pros:
- ANSI certified for impact protection
- Wide lens provides great visual range
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- Filters and cartridges not included
The Best Respirators for Fiberglass
The top best product [hide]
Honeywell North 068-BP1002 Full Facepiece Silicone Respirator
For one, it is a full-face mask: that means it goes over your entire face, adding an extra layer of protection. But the real reason it is pricey is because the lens is ANSI certified for both penetration and impact hazards, meaning the mask not only protects you from particles in the air, but any flying projectiles as well, all while providing an excellent 200-degree field of vision. Finally, the dual-flange silicone provides an excellent fit to nearly any face, since it conforms to the shape needed. The fact that you have to buy filters and cartridges separately is a minor con, but doesn’t really outweigh the benefit of having an actual barrier between your vulnerable eyes and any dangerous projectiles your work environment may throw at you. That makes it an even better respirator for fiberglass dust than some other options.
Reusable full face Cover
But while this mask isn’t particularly special in any capacity, it doesn’t really have any notable shortcomings either. Like most APRs, this mask can be used with a wide variety of filters, and with the right filters it can block out almost any hazard, including fiberglass and fumes.
3M 6800 Full Facepiece Respirator 6000 Series
This 3M full face respirator for fiberglass is a solid choice because it has a bit of everything. There’s no denying that it is a bit expensive, but the reason it costs more than some masks is because the lens is ANSI certified. This means that the mask not only protects you from fiberglass in the air, but from any dangerous flying projectiles as well. This mask is also extremely lightweight and is made of silicone rubber for comfort and fitting to the face, with a wide lens for maximum visual range. Unfortunately, cartridges and filters are sold separately, but the mask is compatible with a wide variety of filters, and while that makes the overall purchase a little more expensive, it’s a small price to pay for having an actual shield between your eyes and dangerous hazards.
3M 7162 Full-Facepiece Spray Paint Respirator
6900 Series Full Facepiece Respirator
Aside from that certification, the mask doesn’t come with filters, which is a bit of a letdown, but the mask can make use of almost any bayonet style filters, so it’s easy to get new ones when you need them. It’s also extremely lightweight at only a pound, so wearing it for long periods of time isn’t too stressful overall.
Respirator for Fiberglass: Buying Guide
Like all products, there’s a lot of competition between brands and products, so there are many respirators for you to choose from. Choosing one can be a bit of a hassle if you don’t know what you are looking for in a respirator for fiberglass resin. This buying guide will cover the points that you really need to consider when you are shopping for a product and help you make an informed decision and pick the product that is best for your particular situation.
What are Respirators?
Basically, respirators give you a way to breathe when the atmosphere around you isn’t fit for that. They may do this with an air tank that your mask is connected to, or they may use filters to catch airborne particles before you breathe the air in. Neither lasts forever, but they do have very different types of maintenance. For instance, you can refill an air tank, but a mask that uses filters will eventually need those filters to be replaced, even if you clean them regularly. Still, these two types of products achieve the same end result, A respirator mask for fiberglass is the same as a respirator for any other hazard: no mask is designed to only handle fiberglass, instead they are all made to counter fiberglass along with many other dangers.
How do Respirators Work?
Air-Supplied Respirators are very simple devices. You have a mask, and that mask has a tube. That tube connects to an air tank. As long as that air tank has oxygen in it, you can breathe without any fear from the airborne hazards around you. Of course, this means you are limited by how much air the tank can hold.
Air-Purifying Respirators do not work in this manner. Instead, they use filters, in a manner not at all dissimilar to an air conditioning system in a home. A filtration membrane catches bad things like dust and fiberglass while still allowing the air to pass through. But just like your air filtration system, a filter will eventually build up too much dirt and whatnot to do its job properly. Even if you clean them, they do eventually have to be replaced.
More information about how respirators work is in this video:
How do you Know which Respirator you Need?
Generally, you will need an APR for your situation. But just to be safe, you should always ask the person in charge at your workplace what type of mask they want you to wear. If you are the boss at your workplace, you need to consider the environment. If the hazard is something that can be filtered, like dust or fiberglass, an APR is fine. If the hazard is the fact that there just isn’t enough oxygen in the air, an ASR will be required.
That’s why, for most environments, an Air-Purifying Respirator is usually more than enough. Particulates such as dust and fiberglass resin are easily handled by APRs, and with the right filters even something as dangerous as fumes can be filtered out. But while an Air-Supplied Respirator could definitely protect you from fiberglass, an Air-Purifying Respirator will do just as well and not cost nearly as much.
Now that you know what type of respirator you should be looking for, feel free to take a look at our reviews for the most useful fiberglass respirators available right now.
Respirator for Fiberglass: FAQs
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Conclusion
At the end of the day, most respirators are the same, and chances are you will be using an APR in your everyday line of work. That said, every product on this list is indeed an APR, so if you choose from here that’s guaranteed. Taking all things into consideration, the most important thing to keep in mind is whether or not the mask is full or half face type, whether or not it comes with filters and how much it costs.