Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown In Attic

Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation.

Cellulose vs fiberglass blown in attic.

As the temperature difference between the living space and attic increases the r value of blown fiberglass diminishes. This phenomena seems to occur as a result of thermal convection. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7 cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9 both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. 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. Since cellulose is blown in it fills all the gaps crevices nooks and crannies in your attic unlike batts that can leave gaps. As a recycled paper product cellulose is prone to absorb moisture that can cause wood rot and mould.

This is called wind washing. 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. 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. Cellulose attic insulation read more.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. Higher r value per inch. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics.

Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. 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. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. Wet blown cellulose is also subject to similar contamination too. You can get to the same place with either material. In extreme situations such as the upper midwest this reduction in r value approaches 50 percent.