Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown Attic Insulation

Another important benefit from dense packed cellulose is its ability to limit air movement which cuts down on heat loss through convection.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown attic insulation. Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1. Fiberglass insulation contains billions of tiny glass fibers which contain trapped bubbles of air. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts.

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. The higher the r value the more efficient it is. This problem has been successfully solved by installing fiberglass batt insulation over the top of loose fill or blown insulation. You can get to the same place with either material.

The trapped air molecules in the insulation are pulled up through the insulation into the colder attic air. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. 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. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans.

The paper is broken down into cellular fibers that provide insulation. It is made of shredded paper plus a fire retardant chemical known as a borate. Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. You can find high r value insulation produced in both fiberglass and blown cellulose.

With that said most homeowners agree that blown cellulose is slightly more efficient due to the face that it blocks more air than fiberglass. Another major weakness of fiberglass insulation which does nothing to stop air from passing through it. Or 7 inches of cellulose. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates.

More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. Cellulose insulation includes cellulose cells that have natural insulating power. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. The bottom line is that cellulose can burn but fiberglass will not support combustion.

Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot.