Better For Attic Insulation Fiberglass Or Cellulose

Cellulose has a slightly higher r factor a unit of thermal resistance with an r value of approximately 3 0 per inch while fiberglass ranges from r 2 1 to r 2 7.

Better for attic insulation fiberglass or cellulose.

The higher the r value the better the insulation performs. Loose fill insulation is just better. It has a better resistance to air flow and prevents the upward movement of air caused by temperature differences. Cellulose is more difficult to cheat than fiberglass.

The thermal performance of fiberglass insulation is directly related to its ability to trap and maintain very small pockets of air. At 3 5 per inch of material the r value of blown in cellulose is 23 better per inch than fiberglass batts. Cellulose has 38 better air infiltration than fiberglass. According to research done at the oak ridge national lab fiberglass loses up to 50 of its r value in very cold conditions.

Blown in fiberglass creates a seamless blanket in your attic. Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen. When installed properly in similar areas they perform about the same at 3 5 to 3 7 r value. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics.

This keeps the air from moving within the insulation and from penetrations between the air conditioned space and the attic. Cellulose and fiberglass have similar insulating values. From the speed and ease of installation to the virtual impossibility of installing it wrong assuming you re experienced loose fill fiberglass or cellulose is usually more effective than batt insulation. Cellulose forms a dense continuous mat of insulation in your attic.

When you install loose fill insulation it s hard to miss a spot the way you might with batt insulation. Sloppy people aren t suited for this job. Making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates. Batts must be cut tightly and you can t have gaps.

Cellulose insulation is considered green as it is made from recycled newspaper and requires less energy to manufacture than fiberglass insulation. Sources many fiberglass installers fluff the fiber with extra air so you don t get as much insulation as you re supposed to. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Fiberglass and cellulose have similar r values with ranges depending on how and where they are installed.

Cellulose insulation is also chemically treated to resist fire insects and mold.