Blown Attic Insulation Fiberglass Vs Cellulose

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass.

Blown attic insulation fiberglass vs cellulose.

How are they similar and how are they different from blown fiberglass vs. More consistent pricing from cellulose manufacturers than fiberglass. 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. The higher the r value the more efficient it is.

Fiberglass insulation is the easiest insulation product on the market to install and if installed correctly the most effective product on the market for home attic insulation. Cellulose is easier to keep out of bird blocks and air conditioner condensate pans. 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. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a 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. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot. Cellulose produces much less static than fiberglass. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts.

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. You can get to the same place with either material. The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these insulation materials.

With that said most homeowners agree that blown cellulose is slightly more efficient due to the face that it blocks more air than fiberglass. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. You can find high r value insulation produced in both fiberglass and blown cellulose.

Or 7 inches of cellulose. Attic insulation is accomplished with either fiberglass blankets batt or blown in insulation. Cellulose resists blowing when installed fiberglass tends to blow around stick to the attic ceiling and drift. Batt insulation take time to read this column.

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. Before choosing blown vs. Batt insulation is available at home centers and lumberyards. By nature the cells inside the cellulose insulation have their own insulating power.