BLOWN-IN INSULATION

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You can benefit from re-insulating your existing home if you experience any of the following:  drafty walls, high heating/cooling bills, moisture in your attic, or if your furnace or A/C unit runs constantly. 

Cellulose is a recycled paper product that is chemically treated to be fire retardant and mold/mildew resistant. It does not loose its R-value when the temperature changes and it is a totally non-toxic product. 

However, fiberglass insulation is the more affordable option, but its R-value decreases in extreme cold or with rapid temperature fluctuations. You’ll typically see fiberglass insulation in loose-fill form or blanket (batt) insulation, which is easily fitted between studs, joists, and beams. It’s a solid, cost-effective choice but isn’t considered environmentally friendly. Fiberglass is resistant to rot and mold but does lose R-value when compressed. 

It is entirely up to the owner to make their determination on what they wish to have installed based on their needs and budget

Best for Resisting Flow of Heat: Cellulose

R-value is the rating that expresses how effective a material is at resisting the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the more effective the material is as an insulator.

Both cellulose and fiberglass have similar R-values, but how they perform differs considerably, and these differences make cellulose the winner in this category.

Most Affordable: Fiberglass

While the cost isn’t the most important factor when insulating a home, it’s still a significant consideration for most. These insulation materials have similar prices for blown-in insulation.  However, cellulose is only available as blown-in insulation. So, in this category, fiberglass wins as it’s also available as batting. 

Professional Installation: Tie

Both fiberglass and cellulose are reasonably easy to install, but it’s best to leave it to a local insulation pro who can offer you a product with the right density and R-value for your home. While installation isn’t difficult, installing it well is a challenge if you don’t have the right experience. Plus, if you’re installing blown-in, you’ll need to hire the necessary equipment. And, if you go with fiberglass, there are associated health risks from inhaling the tiny glass fibers.

Best for Controlling Airflow: Cellulose

Cellulose and fiberglass insulations will not act as airflow barriers. Instead, cellulose will slow down the flow of air, and fiberglass will trap air between its fine fibers as part of the insulation process. If it settles, thermal bridges can appear in the gaps. A thermal bridge is a space, such as in a wall cavity, where the lack of effective insulation allows hot or cold air to move freely in or out.

The Greener Choice: Cellulose

Installing new insulation is a great opportunity to make your home more eco-friendly. Cellulose insulation is made from a mostly recycled organic material. And, because it’s less likely to settle, there’ll be fewer thermal bridges, so it’s more effective in trapping air and limiting energy waste.

If you waste a lot of energy to keep your house comfortably cool or warm, then you’ve got an air leakage problem. Fiberglass and cellulose are ineffective at mitigating drafts and cold spots because they do not perform as airflow barriers.

However, foam insulation does stop air leakage when it is properly installed. Foam insulation costs more than fiberglass and cellulose, but does help to improve a home’s carbon footprint by reducing heat transfer and energy waste. Whether you’re insulating an attic or wall cavities, foam insulation is a good option for energy efficiency.