Blown Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Insulation Attic

Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift.

Blown cellulose vs fiberglass insulation attic.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials.

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. You can get to the same place with either material. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Blown in insulation requires a professional.

The results of their study showed cellulose reduced air leakage by 38 and required 26 less money to heat and cool than the fiberglass home. This is well documented by the university of colorado in their 1990 evaluation of identical homes insulated with fiberglass and cellulose. When comparing blown in insulation both fiberglass and cellulose are nearly identical in price both costing around 0 70 to 0 80 per square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate.

The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Assuming your current attic insulation is made from fiberglass and has a value of r 13 you d have to add roughly 10 inches of additional fiberglass to hit r 38. Batt insulation take time to read this column. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Blown fiberglass on the other hand is made up of very fine strands of glass and these tiny fibers are a carcinogen that can easily be inhaled into your lungs. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. Before choosing blown vs.