Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown In Attic

Cellulose insulation is always blown in.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown in attic.

You can get to the same place with either material. Once it has settled fiberglass has an r value of 2 1 2 7 per inch while cellulose has an r value of approximately 3 0 per inch. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Thus creating a more energy efficient home.

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. As a recycled paper product cellulose is prone to absorb moisture that can cause wood rot and mould. This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans.

It can still be done diy by renting a machine. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass.

According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. Loose fill blown fiberglass insulation has another slight problem. Fiberglass insulation is the easiest insulation product on the market to install and if installed correctly the most effective product on the market for home attic insulation.

When using cellulose blown in dry insulation it requires a machine to achieve its purpose and a training session from wherever you rent the blower from. Dry blown cellulose will characteristically settle and sag in place reducing its r value. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. This makes it slightly more difficult than fiberglass batts but comparable to blown in cellulose.

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. As the temperature difference between the living space and attic increases the r value of blown fiberglass diminishes. Wet blown cellulose is also subject to similar contamination too.

Fiberglass blown in involves using a machine to pump 2 the loose insulation into the wall cavities.