Fiberglass Vs Cellulose Insulation For Attics

It is made from paper that has a minimum of 85 recycled content such as newspaper.

Fiberglass vs cellulose insulation for attics. This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to. Yes newspaper is very flammable. You can now purchase fiberglass batt insulation that has a combination plastic and kraft paper covering. Cellulose forms a dense continuous mat of insulation in your attic.

Thus creating a more energy efficient home. Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. Cellulose has 38 better air infiltration than fiberglass. Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass.

At sub zero temps the r value of cellulose improves where fiberglass will lose half of its stated r value. 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. Loose fill fiberglass seems to dominate attic insulation in new construction homes and has an r value of approximately 2 5 per inch. Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation.

Cellulose provides better sound insulation than fiberglass i e homes are less noisy with it. You can get to the same place with either material. Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass and being made of paper does not pose any health issues to the installer or home occupants. Blown insulation for attics.

Sources many fiberglass installers fluff the fiber with extra air so you don t get as much insulation as you re supposed to. When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more. Framing members aren t always spaced per fectly and it s awkward to fit batts into irregularly shaped cavities and around electrical wires and boxes. It does not pollute the air during manufacture or use as much energy to produce as fiberglass.

Cellulose f iberglass batt insulation is inexpensive but difficult to install well. Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1. Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen. The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Cellulose insulation is made primarily from recycled newspaper.