Which type of insulation is the best?
Spray Foam Insulation
- Longer lasting than fiberglass insulation
- Seals gaps and is moisture resistant
- Effective insulation for higher R-Values
What is the difference between cellulose and fiberglass insulation?
The main differences between fiberglass and cellulose insulation are:
- Organic vs. synthetic materials
- Color (fiberglass is pink and cellulose is more neutral in color – usually a grayish white)
- R-value and weight
Which attic insulation is best?
- For unfinished attics, spray foam insulation can easily seal any of the small voids that are not very clear. ...
- R-value is a very important aspect of insulation. ...
- Durability ensures that spray foam insulation can last for at least 10 years. ...
What alternatives are there to fiberglass insulation?
- Closed-Cell Urethane foam. Good air sealing and high R-value (R6 per inch conservatively, aged value.)
- Dense-Packed Cellulose: Significant air sealing when blown to density and reasonable R value for cost, (R3.5 to 4.0 per inch).
- Air-Krete, a brand name for a magnesium oxide lightweight foam, which looks rather like shaving crea
What are the disadvantages of cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation is heavy, and compacts any underlying insulation. Because cellulose insulation is paper, it absorbs moisture when it rains, and in areas of high humidity. Cellulose insulation degrades over time and has to be replaced. Cellulose insulation promotes the growth of mold & mildew in your attic.
What is the cost difference between cellulose and fiberglass insulation?
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.
Is cellulose more expensive than fiberglass?
Low-price – Because cellulose is primarily made out of paper, it's an even more inexpensive form of insulation at about 75% of the cost of fiberglass. Easy Installation – Cellulose comes in small pieces and there are many ways to install it, so it fits well with most homes' structures but can be very messy to install.
Which type of blown-in insulation is best?
Blown-in Insulation Fiberglass, cotton, and mineral wool can all work as loose-fill insulation material, but the far and away top choice for blown-in insulation is fiberglass.
What are the disadvantages of cellulose?
Some cellulose insulation materials can absorb up to 130 percent water by weight. Cellulose can get wet due to condensation, lack of air seal, or leaks in the home. The material dries very slowly after it absorbs the water, which causes it to deteriorate and settle.
Do mice like cellulose insulation?
Rodents generally are not drawn to cellulose insulation, either. This is because it's loose and tends to fall in on itself. It's not ideal for burrowing and building a nest. You can pretty easily install cellulose yourself, but you have to rent a special machine to blow it into the walls of your attic.
How long will cellulose insulation last?
20 to 30 yearsCellulose Insulation The typical lifespan is 20 to 30 years, with degradation beginning as early as 15 years after installation. As with other types of insulation, severe weather or outside interference can reduce the lifespan. Note: cellulose is often used as supplementary insulation.
Is there a better insulation than fiberglass?
Mineral Wool Insulation In many ways, mineral wool is a superior insulation product. It has a higher R-value per inch compared to fiberglass, about a 22-37% higher R-value. It contains 70% recycled material, making it a greener product than fiberglass at 20-30% recycled material..
Is cellulose insulation itchy?
Insulation often has the stereotype of being itchy when in contact with a person's skin. However, because of the material used, cellulose is soft to the touch and doesn't contain materials that irritate unprotected skin.
What is the most efficient insulation for a house?
Closed cell spray-foam insulationClosed 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).
What is the best insulation to put in your attic?
Fiberglass battFiberglass batt is considered to be the best insulation for attics. Compared to other insulation materials, it is the cheapest and easiest to install. Fiberglass batt is also incredibly energy efficient, as it helps to slow the spread of hot and cold air.
What's the best insulation 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 most cost-effective type of insulation?
Fiberglass Batt Fiberglass batts are the most commonly used type of insulation at 52%. It is also the lowest in cost and like all fiberglass carries little-to-no health risks. Batts are typically used between studs in places like the attic and the walls of your home.
What is the cheapest most effective insulation?
Cheap Insulation Alternatives Unfortunately, if you're looking to save money with your home's insulation, fiberglass is by far the most cost-effective solution. But it's important to consider how much money you'll be paying in energy costs if your insulation isn't up to snuff.
What is cheaper blown or batt insulation?
- Batt insulation is very inexpensive to install, the least expensive of all insulation options. Cons of Batt Insulation. - Because of its lower R-value per square inch (between 2.9 and 3.8) you will need to stack multiple layers of batt insulation together to achieve the proper insulation amount.
What is the most affordable insulation?
Fiberglass is the cheaper option and you can install it yourself, but spray foam creates the air seal you will want in the space. The Building Science Corporation recommends a foam-based insulation material for crawl spaces because of this.
How does cellulose affect fiberglass insulation?
While cellulose and fiberglass react similarly under moderate temperature fluctuations, they differ dramatically when the temperature drops significantly. Once the temperature outside falls to well below freezing, around 20º F or below, fiberglass loses as much as 50% of its R-value. This is due to the extreme difference in temperature between the interior of the house and the exterior, and the way that fiberglass insulates, which is by creating a small air pocket.
How much does fiberglass insulation cost?
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.
How much does it cost to install fiberglass insulation?
So, for an average installation of a single room of 240 square feet, blown-in insulation of either fiberglass or cellulose will cost between $650 and $670, while the same space insulated using fiberglass batts will cost between $310 and $340.
What is cellulose insulation made of?
Cellulose insulation is made from paper, sometimes recycled newspaper. This paper is treated to help it become flame-retardant. However, there are some reports of it catching fire around recessed lighting and in extreme heat.
What is the best material to insulate a home?
When it comes to insulating your home, there are two commonly used materials to do the job, fiberglass 1 and cellulose. Of the two, fiberglass 1 is more commonly used, but cellulose has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years as people strive to lower their energy bills. Both materials improve the energy efficiency ...
What is the R value of cellulose?
When installed properly in similar areas, they perform about the same at 3.5 to 3.7 R- value.
Does fiberglass batts lose air pockets?
If fiberglass batts become compressed, losing some of their air pockets, then this insulation may be more affected by air flow than cellulose, which performs well regardless of density.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most common types of insulation. Fiberglass has widespread use in everything from boats to insulation and everything in between.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose is probably the most common insulation material for residential homes. Manufacturers make cellulose insulation by combining recycled newsprint, denim, and other materials.
Direct Comparison
This section will take all the information above and directly compare fiberglass and cellulose insulation. Hopefully, this provides an easy reference for you in your decision-making process.
Conclusion
Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can add a lot of value to your home. However, they each have distinct benefits, types, and challenges that you must consider when deciding how to proceed with your insulation project.
Is fiberglass insulation cheaper than cellulose insulation?
Fiberglass is typically slightly cheaper, but that fact has to be weighed against cellulose’s slightly higher efficiency (which we’ll cover in a moment) and longer overall lifespan. A professional cellulose blown-in insulation will often last as long as the home does, making it cheaper by longevity.
Does fiberglass insulation slow air movement?
Fiberglass on the other hand has absolutely no power over air movement, making energy loss noteworthy in its use.
Is fiberglass flammable?
Fiberglass is simply woven glass, and will melt rather than burn. But! Fiberglass is backed with what is essentially paper rolls to form the batts, and this paper is very flammable.
What is the R value of fiberglass insulation?
Once it has settled, fiberglass has an R-value of 2.1 - 2.7 per inch, while cellulose has an R-value of approximately 3.0 per inch. Loose fill blown fiberglass insulation has another slight problem. As the temperature difference between the living space and attic increases, the R-value of blown fiberglass diminishes.
Is fiberglass a carcinogen?
In July of 1994, the federal government labeled fiberglass as a substance that quite possibly could be a carcinogen. However, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a letter to Congress, exclaimed that they felt that fiberglass does not pose a threat to persons in their daily lives.
Can fiberglass batts be insulated?
Fiberglass manufacturers have responded to this concern. You can now purchase fiberglass batt insulation that has a combination plastic and kraft paper covering. The back side usually has small perforations in the plastic to prevent the buildup of water vapor within the insulation.
Can fiberglass insulation burn?
The bottom line is that cellulose can burn, but fiberglass will not support combustion. Fiberglass may melt in an extreme fire, but will not add to the fire load. Choose your insulation wisely.
Is fiberglass in the attic dangerous?
However, once installed, fiberglass is almost always covered with some material. Or, it is in an attic space where it can not be easily disturbed. This is why it does not pose a serious health threat to the average person.
Can cellulose cause a fire?
However, there have been instances when cellulose has indirectly caused a fire. This usually happens when either type insulation is installed in direct contact with an older style recessed lighting fixture. The insulation traps the heat created by the light bulb. This, in turn, causes the lighting fixture to overheat.
Can fiberglass be inhaled?
The risk appears to be centered around the fact that when installing either blown or batt type fiberglass, small glass fibers become airborne. These fiber s can then be inhaled into your lungs. This can in fact happen. Years ago, as an uninformed rookie, I installed fiberglass without using a facial mask.
Cellulose Insulation
Higher R-Value per inch. Cellulose has an R-value of 3.5 - 3.7 per inch; fiberglass has 2.1-2.7 R per inch.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass carries a brand name recognition, such as Owens Corning "Pink Panther" - a household name.
