Fiberglass Vs Cellulose Insulation For Attics

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.

Fiberglass vs cellulose insulation for attics.

Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass. Cellulose insulation is made primarily from recycled newspaper. Pros and cons of loose fill fiberglass attic insulation. Cellulose provides better sound insulation than fiberglass i e homes are less noisy with it.

When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more. Or 7 inches of cellulose. If you check with the cellulose insulation manufacturers association they ll assure you that cellulose is definitely your best choice for insulation. 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. 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. Overall both materials improve the energy efficiency of your home but do so in different ways.

It does not pollute the air during manufacture or use as much energy to produce as fiberglass. You can now purchase fiberglass batt insulation that has a combination plastic and kraft paper covering. Thus creating a more energy efficient home. 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.

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. Yes newspaper is very flammable. Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Like cellulose you need a big machine to blow it in. Both fibreglass and cellulose are the two most inexpensive insulation products that you could use. Cellulose f iberglass batt insulation is inexpensive but difficult to install well.

At sub zero temps the r value of cellulose improves where fiberglass will lose half of its stated r value. Sources many fiberglass installers fluff the fiber with extra air so you don t get as much insulation as you re supposed to. Fiberglass fibers may become airborne which can be considered a pollutant. The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation.