Fiberglass Vs Cellulose Insulation For Attics

Fibreglass is perhaps the most common product available in the market for insulation outpacing its close competitor cellulose by 50 1.

Fiberglass vs cellulose insulation for attics.

Cellulose provides better sound insulation than fiberglass i e homes are less noisy with it. Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass. Blown insulation for attics. Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in.

The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation. 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. 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. If you check with the cellulose insulation manufacturers association they ll assure you that cellulose is definitely your best choice for insulation.

When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more. 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. 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. Thus creating a more energy efficient home. This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to. Cellulose f iberglass batt insulation is inexpensive but difficult to install well.

Fiberglass fibers may become airborne which can be considered a pollutant. 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. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic.

Sources many fiberglass installers fluff the fiber with extra air so you don t get as much insulation as you re supposed to. Cellulose has 38 better air infiltration than fiberglass. Cellulose forms a dense continuous mat of insulation in your attic. Loose fill fiberglass seems to dominate attic insulation in new construction homes and has an r value of approximately 2 5 per inch.

Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation. Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen. It is made from paper that has a minimum of 85 recycled content such as newspaper. At sub zero temps the r value of cellulose improves where fiberglass will lose half of its stated r value.