Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown Attic Insulation

So it seems to me the real debate.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown attic insulation.

Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing. Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. There are two ways to get your insulation whether fiberglass or cellulose. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs.

Higher r value per inch. Batts or loose fill. Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9. Sometimes loose fill insulation is referred to as blown in insulation because an installer literally blows it into your home with a special machine.

This is called wind washing. The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. 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. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass.

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

Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7.

Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. Types of fiberglass and cellulose insulation.

Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits. 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.