Blown Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Insulation Attic

Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

Blown cellulose vs fiberglass insulation attic.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. You can get to the same place with either material. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation contains billions of tiny glass fibers which contain trapped bubbles of air.

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. Or 7 inches of cellulose. This is well documented by the university of colorado in their 1990 evaluation of identical homes insulated with fiberglass and cellulose.

It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions.

Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Before choosing blown vs. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot.

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. Batt insulation take time to read this column. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Blown in insulation requires a professional.

Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. 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.