Attic Insulation Blown In Fiberglass Vs Cellulose

Very common very problematic.

Attic insulation blown in fiberglass vs cellulose.

Sometimes loose fill insulation is referred to as blown in insulation because an installer literally blows it into your home with a special machine. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. There are three types of blown in insulation.

Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits. Batts or loose fill. Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing.

The material can be either fiberglass or cellulose and consists of fiber foam or other materials in small particles and can even feel like down. Types of fiberglass and cellulose insulation. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Blown in insulation sometimes referred to as loose fill insulation is insulation literally blown in with a blowing machine.

So it seems to me the real debate. 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. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9.

There are two ways to get your insulation whether fiberglass or cellulose. Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. This is called wind washing.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Higher r value per inch. Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value.

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. Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass.

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass.