Blown Attic Insulation Fiberglass Vs Cellulose

Sometimes loose fill insulation is referred to as blown in insulation because an installer literally blows it into your home with a special machine.

Blown attic insulation fiberglass vs cellulose.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing. Fiberglass insulation cannot stop air from passing through it meaning that more than 30 of heat or air conditioning can escape. This is called wind washing.

Types of fiberglass and cellulose insulation. 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. 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.

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. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker.

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 insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9. Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. So it seems to me the real debate.

Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. Very common very problematic. Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value. Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7. Higher r value per inch.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits.