Blown Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Insulation Attic

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials.

Blown cellulose vs fiberglass insulation attic.

Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot.

Fiberglass insulation contains billions of tiny glass fibers which contain trapped bubbles of air. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. 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. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. You can get to the same place with either material. The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation.

Blown in insulation requires a professional. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. 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. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate.

Before choosing blown vs. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. 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. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass.

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. 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. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.