Difference Between Attic Insulation Cellulose And Fiberglass

Air moving through a vented attic deposits dirt and dust into fiberglass batts.

Difference between attic insulation cellulose and fiberglass.

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. Fiberglass batts don t offer that flexibility. 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. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these.

Because it is denser than fiberglass cellulose is much more resistant to wind washing. Blown cellulose is typically the preferred choice of insulation for attics. This is called wind washing. Better insulator sometimes cellulose and fiberglass batts typically have similar r values of about 3 2 to 3 8 per inch.

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. Per square inch of insulation cellulose has a higher r value than fiberglass. Rather than trying to meticulously lay fiberglass insulation over the attic homeowners and builders can simply blow cellulose insulation throughout the attic. Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass.

Pros and cons of cellulose attic insulation. 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. Cellulose recycled ground up paper with boric acid added for insect control and fire resistance offers a better attic insulation option than batts. Cellulose insulation is also chemically treated to resist fire insects and mold.

It is non toxic and will not rot decay or contribute to mold growth. A given sample of cellulose insulation will provide better thermal performance than an identically sized sample of fiberglass insulation. If you choose to install cellulose yourself you can buy the insulation in bags from your local home. You can add batts in easy to access places such as the attic but not in between walls.

Compared to fiberglass cellulose is a superb air blocker. I had been told fiberglass was best by on installer but after reading some of the posts here it appears the cellulose is the better. Dirty fiberglass batts have a significantly reduced r value. 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.

I won t even discuss r value because fiberglass batts don t belong in an attic.