Blown Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Insulation Attic

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.

Blown cellulose vs fiberglass insulation attic.

You can get to the same place with either material. The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards.

Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. The results of their study showed cellulose reduced air leakage by 38 and required 26 less money to heat and cool than the fiberglass home.

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. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power.

The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts.

Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Before choosing blown vs. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials.

Batt insulation take time to read this column. This is well documented by the university of colorado in their 1990 evaluation of identical homes insulated with fiberglass and cellulose. Blown in insulation requires a professional. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate.