Fiberglass Vs Cellulose Insulation For Attics

You can now purchase fiberglass batt insulation that has a combination plastic and kraft paper covering.

Fiberglass vs cellulose insulation for attics.

The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation. Yes newspaper is very flammable. You can get to the same place with either material. Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation.

Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in. Overall both materials improve the energy efficiency of your home but do so in different ways. This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to. Cellulose has 38 better air infiltration than fiberglass.

If you check with the cellulose insulation manufacturers association they ll assure you that cellulose is definitely your best choice for insulation. It does not pollute the air during manufacture or use as much energy to produce as 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. It is made from paper that has a minimum of 85 recycled content such as newspaper.

Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1. Blown insulation for attics. Or 7 inches of cellulose. 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.

Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen. Sources many fiberglass installers fluff the fiber with extra air so you don t get as much insulation as you re supposed to. Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. Cellulose insulation is made primarily from recycled newspaper.

Fiberglass fibers may become airborne which can be considered a pollutant. Loose fill fiberglass seems to dominate attic insulation in new construction homes and has an r value of approximately 2 5 per inch. When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic.

Cellulose forms a dense continuous mat of insulation in your attic. Thus creating a more energy efficient home. Framing members aren t always spaced per fectly and it s awkward to fit batts into irregularly shaped cavities and around electrical wires and boxes. At sub zero temps the r value of cellulose improves where fiberglass will lose half of its stated r value.