Difference Between Attic Insulation Cellulose And Fiberglass

Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value.

Difference between attic insulation cellulose and fiberglass.

This is called wind washing. It is non toxic and will not rot decay or contribute to mold growth. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. Cellulose insulation is also chemically treated to resist fire insects and mold.

Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing. 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 batts don t offer that flexibility. If you choose to install cellulose yourself you can buy the insulation in bags from your local home.

Better insulator sometimes cellulose and fiberglass batts typically have similar r values of about 3 2 to 3 8 per inch. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. 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. 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.

The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass. Per square inch of insulation cellulose has a higher r value than fiberglass. I live in phoenix arizona and am going to add several inches of insulation to my attic and would like to know which insulation is best to use. You can add batts in easy to access places such as the attic but not in between walls.

A given sample of cellulose insulation will provide better thermal performance than an identically sized sample of fiberglass insulation. I won t even discuss r value because fiberglass batts don t belong in an attic. When used in an attic space however both types of insulation are ineffective at air flow across the attic floor such as a strong gust of wind. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics.

Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation. Cellulose insulation is considered green as it is made from recycled newspaper and requires less energy to manufacture than fiberglass insulation.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker.