Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown In Attic

As a recycled paper product cellulose is prone to absorb moisture that can cause wood rot and mould.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown in attic.

Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Loose fill blown fiberglass insulation has another slight problem. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. In extreme situations such as the upper midwest this reduction in r value approaches 50 percent.

Or 7 inches of cellulose. Dry blown cellulose will characteristically settle and sag in place reducing its r value. You can get to the same place with either material. This phenomena seems to occur as a result of thermal convection.

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. Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. Higher r value per inch. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. When using cellulose blown in dry insulation it requires a machine to achieve its purpose and a training session from wherever you rent the blower from. Since cellulose is blown in it fills all the gaps crevices nooks and crannies in your attic unlike batts that can leave gaps.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Fiberglass insulation is the easiest insulation product on the market to install and if installed correctly the most effective product on the market for home attic insulation. Wet blown cellulose is also subject to similar contamination too. As the temperature difference between the living space and attic increases the r value of blown fiberglass diminishes.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. This is called wind washing. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7 cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9 both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity.