Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown Attic Insulation

Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown attic insulation.

Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7. Sometimes loose fill insulation is referred to as blown in insulation because an installer literally blows it into your home with a special machine. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits. Types of fiberglass and cellulose insulation.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Very common very problematic. 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. Batts or loose fill.

Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. This is called wind washing. Fiberglass insulation cannot stop air from passing through it meaning that more than 30 of heat or air conditioning can escape. Higher r value per inch.

Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass.

Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. So it seems to me the real debate. Cellulose insulation like spray foam insulation limits air movement a study by the university of colorado found that cellulose insulation reduced air leakage by 38. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity. Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing.