Fiberglass Vs Cellulose Insulation For Attics

Fiberglass fibers may become airborne which can be considered a pollutant.

Fiberglass vs cellulose insulation for attics. You can get to the same place with either material. Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in. Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen. If you check with the cellulose insulation manufacturers association they ll assure you that cellulose is definitely your best choice for insulation. It is made from paper that has a minimum of 85 recycled content such as newspaper. When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more.

Cellulose forms a dense continuous mat of insulation in your attic. At sub zero temps the r value of cellulose improves where fiberglass will lose half of its stated r value. Loose fill fiberglass seems to dominate attic insulation in new construction homes and has an r value of approximately 2 5 per inch. Thus creating a more energy efficient home.

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. You can now purchase fiberglass batt insulation that has a combination plastic and kraft paper covering. Overall both materials improve the energy efficiency of your home but do so in different ways. Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass.

Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1. The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation. This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to. It does not pollute the air during manufacture or use as much energy to produce as fiberglass.

Cellulose insulation is made primarily from recycled newspaper. Yes newspaper is very flammable. 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. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic.

Cellulose has 38 better air infiltration than fiberglass. Blown insulation for attics. Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation. Cellulose provides better sound insulation than fiberglass i e homes are less noisy with it.