Cellulose Vs Fiberglass Blown In Attic

Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics.

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. 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. Blown in cellulose homeowner benefits. Higher r value per inch.

This phenomena seems to occur as a result of thermal convection. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. You can get to the same place with either material.

Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. In extreme situations such as the upper midwest this reduction in r value approaches 50 percent. This is called wind washing. 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.

Or 7 inches of cellulose. Loose fill blown fiberglass insulation has another slight problem. Dry blown cellulose will characteristically settle and sag in place reducing its r value. 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.

Loose fill or blown cellulose insulation is manufactured primarily from recycled newspapers a very benign product so it poses virtually no ongoing health risk. Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. 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. As a recycled paper product cellulose is prone to absorb moisture that can cause wood rot and mould.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. 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. Since cellulose is blown in it fills all the gaps crevices nooks and crannies in your attic unlike batts that can leave gaps. Cellulose attic insulation read more.