Unlike other kinds of insulation like cellulose, spray foam provides better insulation because its fluid nature allows for it to go through tiny crevices. This means that you can cover walls and ceilings more efficiently without doing too much work.
Full Answer
What are the dangers of cellulose insulation?
These chemicals are linked to health problems such as:
- Disorientation
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Nausea and vomiting (symptoms of acute exposure)
- Loss of coordination (long term exposure can cause neurological damage)
- Irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
What structure is made of cellulose?
cellulose, a complex carbohydrate, or polysaccharide, consisting of 3,000 or more glucose units. The basic structural component of plant cell walls, cellulose comprises about 33 percent of all vegetable matter (90 percent of cotton and 50 percent of wood are cellulose) and is the most abundant of all naturally occurring organic compounds.
Who manufactures cellulose insulation?
Modern Insulation – Modern Insulation is a manufacturer of cellulose insulation. When you choose cellulose from Modern Insulation, you help solve the waste disposal problem and help fight air pollution. Mountain Fiber Insulation – Mountain Fiber Insulation Inc. manufactures cellulose insulation for new construction of homes and commercial properties. Their family business has been making quality insulation from recycled paper since 1977.
What happens if cellulose insulation gets wet?
| RGB Construction
- Wet Insulation Can Lose Its Insulating Value. When your insulation becomes wet, it will start to lose some functionality, such as inhibiting heat transfer.
- Mold Growth Is Another Concern. We all know that mold in your home can be a problem. ...
- Managing Wet Insulation. You might think that you will need to replace wet insulation. ...
- Keeping Your Fiberglass Dry. ...
What are the disadvantages of foam insulation?
List of the Cons of Spray Foam InsulationSpray foam insulation does not always fill every possible cavity. ... Spray foam insulation might encourage water damage for some homeowners. ... Spray foam insulation can sometimes shrink. ... Spray foam insulation requires a lot of experience to get it right.More items...•
Which is better blown in insulation or foam insulation?
Between spray foam and blown-in cellulose, which is better? Both spray foam and blown-in cellulose insulation have their advantages. Spray foam has a higher R-value, so it's the more effective insulator. But cellulose is better at insulating street noise.
Which type of insulation is most effective?
Closed cell spray-foam insulation is the most energy efficient wall insulation. Applications can reach much higher R-values for each inch of thickness than other insulation products, with values as high as R-6.2 per square inch (roughly R-34 on a 2×6 wall).
When should you not use spray foam insulation?
When NOT to Use Spray Foam InsulationFor areas that are too close to electrical boxes:For areas too close to ceiling light boxes:Open-cell spray foam on your roof:For closed-cavity spaces:If you have a history of skin, respiratory, or asthma problems:
Why do lenders not like spray foam insulation?
So why is it a problem for mortgage lenders? By sealing the roof space with this material, air circulation can be restricted to the roof and timbers. This can lead to condensation, which in turn can eventually lead to the rotting of the wooden roof supports.
What insulation is best for attic?
If you check with the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, they'll assure you that fiberglass or mineral wool is definitely your best choice for attic insulation.
What insulation is best for interior walls?
Because they have a high R-value and can be used nearly anywhere in your home, foam board insulation is one of the most common types of insulation. Best for floors, foundation and basement walls, interior and exterior wall sheathing and low-sloped ceilings.
What insulation is best for walls?
The best insulation for walls when it comes to new build homes or remodels is going to be Nu-Wool, foam board, or open cell spray foam....Cons:Open cell spray foam is an expensive option for insulation.Spray foam can't be installed as a DIY project.Some brands of spray foam have an odor when installed.
What is the best insulation for cold weather?
Fiberglass InsulationFiberglass Insulation This type of insulation material is widely available and comes in various shapes and sizes. For cold climates, Loose-fill Fiberglass Insulation is the best as it has an R-Value of 60.
Does spray foam devalue your house?
In fact, according to Heritage House, they have seen entire roofs rotted and unrecoverable after SPF has been used. They state that by using SPF in your roof, '…you will devalue your home by the amount that a new roof will cost, and more.
Do you need a vapor barrier with spray foam insulation?
Home » FAQs » Do I need a vapor barrier with spray foam insulation? Usually no. Closed cell foam is a vapor barrier. Open cell foam is a vapor retarder, but its moisture permeability properties in our climate are sufficient for most structures.
Is spray foam insulation worth the extra money?
If you see the benefit of insulating your new construction home correctly from the start for long-term comfort, energy savings month after month, and fewer headaches while you live in the house, then spray foam insulation may very well be worth the extra cost to you.
Which insulation lasts the longest?
Spray foam insulationCellulose insulation usually lasts 20 to 30 years before it starts to degrade, and mineral wool also lasts decades as long as it is not damaged. Spray foam insulation is one of the longest-lasting. Many homeowners never have to replace it in their lifetime.
Is blown in insulation the same as spray foam insulation?
Fiberglass Blown-in Insulation. The main difference between spray foam insulation and blown-in fiberglass insulation lies in their materials. Spray foam is a liquid chemical, while fiberglass is made from 20% to 30% recycled glass.
Is spray foam insulation worth the extra cost?
If you see the benefit of insulating your new construction home correctly from the start for long-term comfort, energy savings month after month, and fewer headaches while you live in the house, then spray foam insulation may very well be worth the extra cost to you.
Is blown in insulation in walls worth it?
Blown-In Insulation is a Good Investment The amount of money you save on energy costs will add up quickly over the next couple of years, more than paying for itself, and even bringing a return on your investment. These are just a few of the many benefits of blown-in insulation.
What is the difference between spray foam insulation and cellulose insulation?
When comparing just R-value, there is little difference between insulation materials. The R-value of cellulose insulation ranges from 3.6-3.8 per inch and spray foam insulation ranges from 3.5-3.7 per inch of insulation. Given that both insulators are equal in R-value, the difference in thermal resistance relies heavily on proper installation and air sealing. Since spray foam has the ability to form its own air seal due to the way the mixture is applied, it offers slightly better thermal resistance. Winner: Spray Foam Insulation
What is the difference between spray foam and cellulose?
Cellulose is made of 80% recycled paper , while spray foam is made from petroleum distillates. Cellulose has more recycled material than any other insulation material and it doesn’t require the emission of any greenhouses to install like spray foam.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray Foam Insulation. Spray foam is polyurethane foam that can block or resist sound waves or vibration. It’s great for deflecting noise, but not as efficient at absorbing it. Spray foam helps to muffle or reduce sounds from moving between floors and rooms due to the dense nature of the material.
Which is better, spray foam or insulate?
Regardless of which material you choose to insulate your home with, any form of insulation is better than no insulation. Spray foam is the better choice when it comes to long-term cost and thermal resistance.
Why is insulation important?
Because your home’s insulation helps lower your heating and cooling costs by keeping your heat from escaping outside during the winter and slowing down heat from entering during the summer. At Minnick’s, we help homeowners maintain comfortable indoor temperatures with a combination of air sealing and insulation work.
What is the R value of spray foam?
Spray foam comes in two varieties; open-cell which has an R-value of 3.2 per inch and closed-cell which has an R-value of 6 per inch. The ability for spray foam to fill into any space or shape allows it to offer a high R-value per inch.
How is insulation cost measured?
The cost of insulation materials is measured by the amount of square footage used.
Why is spray foam better than other types of insulation?
Unlike other kinds of insulation like cellulose, spray foam provides better insulation because its fluid nature allows for it to go through tiny crevices. This means that you can cover walls and ceilings more efficiently without doing too much work. And because it can insulate a house more effectively, you won’t have to spend as much on electricity bills by drastically setting your heater or air conditioner’s thermostat.
What is cellulose insulation made of?
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint fibers that are treated with non-toxic borate. Because cellulose insulation is made from organic material, and used paper at that, environmentalists advocate for its use in households.
What is spray foam insulation?
When we talk about using spray foam insulation for your home, it’s basically pumping polyurethane foam into the walls, ceilings and other nooks and crannies in your house that is required for insulation. Spray foam insulation effectively keeps heat in your house during the colder seasons and dissipates it outside during the hotter ones.
Is spray foam insulation more expensive than other types of insulation?
Spray foam is more expensive than any other kinds of insulation in the market.
Does spray foam insulate walls?
Another benefit of spray foam is that it is impenetrable to water and as such does not cause any mold formation. Other than that, it can stick onto walls, ceilings and even floors better making it last longer than other forms of insulation. And it’s not an irritant so if you accidentally touch the spray foam insulation in your house, you won’t experience any itching. It’s not just molds that spray foam inhibits but also the infestation of bugs and other vermin because now they don’t have any holes to live in.
Does cellulose reduce noise?
Other than the fact that it’s an insulator, cellulose can also reduce the noise heard between rooms. This is an extra feature of cellulose that you can take into account when you’re constructing your home.
Is cellulose insulation cheaper than spray foam insulation?
As compared to spray foam insulation, cellulose is cheaper and hence, more economical for use in homes.
How is cellulose pumped into walls?
Like low-expansion foam, Cellulose is pumped into the walls through a small hole, filling all the voids.
What is low expansion foam?
It’s actually a liquid with the properties of shaving cream, that is pumped into the wall cavities, and spreads throughout the cavity, filling the voids.
Is spray foam insulation good for a crawl space?
If we are discussing floor insulation, spray foam is absolutely the best option available . It doesn’t matter if it’ s an outdoor de ck being converted into living space, or basement ceiling, or the subfloor over a damp crawlspace. Use Sprayfoam! Make sure that it is two-pound, ( closed cell) spray foam.
Is cellulose a drill and fill?
Cellulose is such an excellent drill-and-fill, sound-deadening product, we were hired by the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta to insulate the President’s office walls with our Drill-and-Fill technique.
Is spray foam insulation better than cellulose insulation?
If the HVAC equipment and air ducts are in your attic, it is better to install Spray Foam Insulation, specifically with Open Cell Spray Foam to protect the equipment and ducts. However, if your attic doesn’t have any HVAC equipment or air ducts you should install Cellulose Installation.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation is incredibly eco-friendly. Manufacturers make it using recycled denim, newsprint, and other recycled materials.
Pros of Cellulose Insulation
As you probably can tell from the descriptions above, cellulose insulation has several benefits that result in it being one of the most popular types of insulation.
Cons of Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation also presents some challenges to consider when deciding which type of insulation to use.
Rigid Foam Board Insulation
Rigid foam board insulation is quite different from cellulose insulation. Foam board tends to be more structured than cellulose and has a higher R-value .
Pros of Rigid Foam Board Insulation
Rigid foam board insulation has numerous benefits that mostly start with its high R-value and durability.
Direct Comparison
Below is a chart directly comparing cellulose and rigid foam board. The chart should help you visualize the similarities and differences between the two types of insulation.
Conclusion
Both cellulose and rigid foam board insulation offer a lot of value for your home.
Where Do You Find Spray Foam Insulation Contractors?
You should be able to search for spray foam insulation companies online on Google and Google Map s like we all do for most things.
Where Do You Buy Spray Foam?
For the DIYer’s, there are a few good options for you, depending on the size of your project. For small areas, going with a regular affordable spray can might do the trick.
