Best Insulation for Your Home: Cellulose

Best Insulation for Your Home: Cellulose

Best Insulation for Your Home: Cellulose

Cellulose insulation is promoted as among the greenest insulation available. According to the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association, it is made from at least 80 percent recycled paper, which is treated with chemicals to make it flame retardant. A professional is not needed to install cellulose insulation, but the process does require special equipment. A professional may be the most effective way to accomplish full coverage using the specialty equipment necessary to completely fill the wall cavities. However, for loose fill in the attic, the equipment is usually provided with the insulation when purchased from most home stores. All you need additionally is protective eye wear (goggles), dust mask and gloves.

Loose-fill cellulose insulation comes in four major types with many different brand names depending are where you are located. The four types are dry cellulose, spray applied cellulose, stabilized cellulose, and low dusts cellulose. They are each used in different applications.

Dry cellulose is primarily used in remodeling and is sprayed into wall cavities through holes drilled at the top plate. This can also be used in new construction with the use of netting over the stud walls. There is a similar application that uses fiberglass loose fill with similar results. Settling of approximately 20% does occur. This can be alleviated by installing a dense pack version, but is advisable to use a contractor for these applications.

Spray applied cellulose is used in new construction and has water added during application to activate glues that are added for adhesion. To prevent mold during the drying time, which can be up to one year, a small amount of chlorine can be added. The drying time is affected by how quickly the drywall or other covering is applied. Spray- applied cellulose seals the walls better than fiberglass batt insulation or dry cellulose and has very little to no settling.

Stabilized cellulose is used in attic insulation applications. A small amount of water is added to activate glues. These glues and moisture allow this product to be installed on sloped roofs and reduces settling. With the reduction in settling, less cellulose can be used to obtain the same R-value.

Low dust cellulose has a small amount of oil added as a dust dampening agent. This would be best used to avoid dust during installation or where the occupants have sensitivity to paper products.

Cellulose has a very good thermal performance with comparison to its ease of installation and its R-value per inch. Studies by the University of Colorado School of Architecture and Planning found that cellulose insulated structures used 26.4% less energy to heat than a comparable fiberglass insulated home. The spray applied also caused the structure to be 30% more air tight. When compared to fiberglass, cellulose reduces energy required for heating 20% to 30%.

Cellulose is an excellent sound barrier because unlike fiberglass insulation it fully fills the wall cavity. Cellulose is also much denser than fiberglass. Cellulose is equal to spray foam applications with regards to sound and even air infiltration. Spray foam does have an edge in the R-value per inch department, but spray foam is more costly to install.

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