Attic Insulation Blown In Fiberglass Vs Cellulose

So it seems to me the real debate.

Attic insulation blown in fiberglass vs cellulose.

There are three types of blown in insulation. 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. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity.

Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value. Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials. Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts.

Blown in insulation sometimes referred to as loose fill insulation is insulation literally blown in with a blowing machine. The three most common types of blown in insulation are loose fill fiberglass cellulose and rock wool each with its own pros and cons. How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. Higher r value per inch.

Batts or loose fill. Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass.

This is called wind washing. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7. Very common very problematic. Sometimes loose fill insulation is referred to as blown in insulation because an installer literally blows it into your home with a special machine.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. 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. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits.

Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing.

Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9.