Menu Close

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

Jim Brown

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

At 3.5 per inch of material, the R-value of blown-in cellulose is 23% better per inch than fiberglass batts! 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.

Is white blown-in insulation fiberglass?

Loose Insulation Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is made from fibers of spun or blown molten glass and sand. Its appearance is white or pink and fluffy like cotton candy, and it has a little shine when in light.

Can you put foam insulation over fiberglass insulation?

Spray foam insulation doesn’t stick to fiberglass well When you spray foam into walls or your attic, it expands and forms an airtight seal. This keeps heat out of your house, and keeps moisture from forming. But if you try to spray foam over fiberglass, over time the foam will not stick to the fiberglass.

Can you mix blown-in insulation types?

You can mix and match the various kinds of insulation. For example, if you have cellulose insulation, and more insulation is needed, you can add any type you wish. It is also acceptable to use batts over loose-fill material and loose-fill material over batts.

Do I need to remove old insulation before installing new?

According to ENERGY STAR®, you can put new insulation over old insulation, “unless it is wet. “Faced” insulation should not be placed on top of existing insulation in the attic. Any new roll or batt insulation installed over existing insulation in the attic needs to be without a vapor retarder (face).

What’s the difference between fiberglass insulation and cellulose insulation?

One key insulation difference is that cellulose settles over time, potentially leaving some areas (in walls particularly) with little or no insulation. Fiberglass manufacturers have developed blown fiberglass insulation they claim won’t settle over time.

Can you put cellulose insulation over fiberglass batts?

You can install cellulose over fiberglass batts, and as a contractor I would not remove insulation to add more. This would cost you more money and honestly is not needed unless you have water damage or rodent problems in your attic (they tend to use fiberglass as a rest room!!)

Can you install cellulose over fiberglass blanket?

You can easily install cellulose over fiberglass blankets. I would avoid the use of spray foam, you don’t want to change the location of your insulation. And like Frank said, air seal the attic first. Seal up those open soffits, vent stacks and wire penetrations. You want to make the ceiling as air tight as possible.

Is it safe to use blown cellulose insulation?

In extreme temperatures, the loss of insulating value can be as much as 50 percent. Loose-fill, or blown, cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers, a very benign product, so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk.

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

Jim Brown

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

At 3.5 per inch of material, the R-value of blown-in cellulose is 23% better per inch than fiberglass batts! 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.

Is cellulose insulation cheaper 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. Fiberglass batts, however, are less expensive, costing on average $0.30 to $0.40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation.

Can you put fiberglass over cellulose?

Adding new cellulose insulation on top of existing fiberglass insulation is called “capping”. If you have some insulation in your sidewalls, cellulose can usually still be forced in with the dense-pack method to achieve the desired R-factor.

Which is better for Home Insulation, Fiberglass or cellulose?

This prevents liquid from accumulating in any one area. Cellulose can help dry out other materials in contact with it and does not support mold growth. Cellulose insulation is safe. Although cellulose is made of paper, thorough mineral treatment provides it with permanent fire resistance.

Which is the best material to insulate your home?

When it comes to insulating your home, there are two commonly used materials to do the job, fiberglass 1and cellulose. Of the two, fiberglass 1is more commonly used, but cellulose has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years as people strive to lower their energy bills.

How much does it cost to insulate a room with fiberglass?

So, for an average installation of a single room of 240 square feet, blown-in insulation of either fiberglass or cellulose will cost between $650and $670, while the same space insulated using fiberglass batts will cost between $310and $340.

What’s the difference between fiberglass insulation and blown in insulation?

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

Jim Brown

Which is better cellulose or fiberglass blown-in insulation?

At 3.5 per inch of material, the R-value of blown-in cellulose is 23% better per inch than fiberglass batts! 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.

What type of blown-in insulation is best for walls?

To reduce this air leakage, foam insulation works best because it provides heat resistance and an air seal. Another problem you might notice due to air leakage and not having enough insulation in your walls is condensation on the walls or moisture in the wall cavity, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.

What is the safest blown-in insulation?

Fiberglass (pictured) is the most common blown-in insulation, followed by cellulose. Mineral wool and real wool blown-in are less common but are healthier choices.

What is better blown-in insulation or rolls?

Rolled fiberglass insulation scores an R-value of 3.7. So overall, rolled fiberglass insulation is slightly more effective at blocking in and out heat than its blown counterpart.

Which is better blown in insulation or batting?

In short, there is less chance of error with blown insulation as compared to batts. Finally, while blown insulation is much more consistent and has a much lower chance of failure, the R-value of this insulation will typically have a higher R-value due to installation quality differences.

What is cheaper blown or batt insulation?

Blow-in insulation is quite comparable in cost and R-value when compared to fiberglass batts or blankets.

What are the different types of blown insulation?

Types of Blown Insulation Materials. There are three general types of blown insulation materials currently available: fiberglass, cellulose and rock wool. Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is made glass and sand that are spun or “blown” into fibers. This type of insulation is great for wall cavities and attics.

What’s the cheapest way to blow in insulation?

1. Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass is one of the most common types of blow in insulation. It’s also the cheapest, which is part of what makes it so popular. It comes in blocks and you have to use a machine to blow it into the walls of your house.

What kind of insulation is best for attic?

Fiberglass loose-fill insulation is made glass and sand that are spun or “blown” into fibers. This type of insulation is great for wall cavities and attics.

What are the pros and cons of blown in insulation?

The weight of blown-in cellulose can cause ceiling sag. 4. Damp blown-in insulation can promote fungal growth. 5. The material becomes very problematic when wet. As you compare spray foam attic insulation pros and cons, keep in mind that the material is available as an open-cell or closed-cell polyurethane spray foam.