Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown In Attic

Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown in attic.

Once it has settled fiberglass has an r value of 2 1 2 7 per inch while cellulose has an r value of approximately 3 0 per inch. When using cellulose blown in dry insulation it requires a machine to achieve its purpose and a training session from wherever you rent the blower from. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. This is slightly more difficult but provides better installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass. As a recycled paper product cellulose is prone to absorb moisture that can cause wood rot and mould. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. 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.

This makes it slightly more difficult than fiberglass batts but comparable to blown in cellulose. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates.

Cellulose insulation is always blown in. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Wet blown cellulose is also subject to similar contamination too. Loose fill blown fiberglass insulation has another slight problem.

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. Thus creating a more energy efficient home. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. It can still be done diy by renting a machine.

Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. Fiberglass blown in involves using a machine to pump 2 the loose insulation into the wall cavities. As the temperature difference between the living space and attic increases the r value of blown fiberglass diminishes. You can get to the same place with either material.

This allows the insulation to get into the small pockets and crevices that fiberglass wouldn t be able to.