Blown Attic Insulation Fiberglass Vs Cellulose

Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift.

Blown attic insulation fiberglass vs cellulose.

According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. In contrast to fiberglass insulation cellulose insulation does not trap air in between it s fibers to control heat. With that said most homeowners agree that blown cellulose is slightly more efficient due to the face that it blocks more air than fiberglass.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Before choosing blown vs. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.

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. You can find high r value insulation produced in both fiberglass and blown cellulose. Batt insulation take time to read this column. 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.

Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. Blown in insulation requires a professional. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot. 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.

How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Which means cellulose insulation can be compressed into a space and offer additional r value.

Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. By nature the cells inside the cellulose insulation have their own insulating power. You can get to the same place with either material. Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. The higher the r value the more efficient it is. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation.