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Cellulose Insulation Basics
Shredded newspaper and cardboard treated with a binder to hold it together, with borax added as fire retardant and to control vermin.
Why we like it
Made from recycled materials. "Tighter" than fiberglass; air doesn't circulate in it as easily. The industry makes some big claims for it:
- Cellulose insulation manufactured from recycled paper is the least polluting and most energy efficient insulation among conventional insulation products. (Least polluting at the time of manufacture and during demolition and disposal as waste).
- It takes more that 10 times as much energy to produce fiber glass insulation as cellulose insulation.
- Due to air circulation and natural convection, the R-value of blown-in fiberglass insulation decreases by as much as 50% as the temperature drops from 45 degrees F to 18 degrees F.
- Cellulose has better resistance to air flow and prevents the upward movement of air caused by temperature differences (the R-value of cellulose actually improves during cold weather).
They even claim that it has better fire resistance than fiberglass.
Joyce at Greenstrides explains:
"Studies have shown that the dense fiber structure of cellulose and the fire retardants slow the spread of fire through a building, giving occupants more time to escape and fire fighters more time to save the structure. It has also been documented that cellulose insulation has a higher fire resistance than fiberglass insulation."
What we worry about
In batts it can settle. Open cell, so vapor barrier quality is important. Combustible. May make a nice comfy home for mice and vermin.
Eco-factor of Cellulose Insulation
Made from recycled materials, but oversold as "green" insulation; the R-value is not that high and it is subject to all the thermal flaws of open-celled fiberglass.
More on Green Insulation
How to Install a Foam Insulating Gasket
Renovation Nation Video: Foam Insulation or Not?
Insulate the Bottom of Your Hot Water Heater
Green DIY Projects: Build & Repair
