Blown Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Insulation Attic

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass.

Blown cellulose vs fiberglass insulation attic. 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. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. 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. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate.

Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. 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. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

Before choosing blown vs. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot. You can get to the same place with either material. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation.

More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation contains billions of tiny glass fibers which contain trapped bubbles of air. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates.

How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Blown in insulation requires a professional.

Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. 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. This is well documented by the university of colorado in their 1990 evaluation of identical homes insulated with fiberglass and cellulose. Batt insulation take time to read this column.