Cellulose Versus Fiberglass Attic Insulation

Or 7 inches of cellulose.

Cellulose versus fiberglass attic insulation.

Unless you opt for spray foam then the insulation choices normally come down to cellulose and fibreglass. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9. Cellulose and fiberglass are fibrous insulation which can easily trap moisture.

If paired with a vapor barrier in a high moisture environment like your basement it can be problematic. Lastly when blown onto the floor of an attic with vented soffits both loose fill cellulose and fiberglass are susceptible to wind. Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation. 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.

You can get to the same place with either material. Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home. When comparing blown in insulation both fiberglass and cellulose are nearly identical in price both costing around 0 70 to 0 80 per square foot for 6 inches of insulation. Assuming your current attic insulation is made from fiberglass and has a value of r 13 you d have to add roughly 10 inches of additional fiberglass to hit r 38.

So it seems to me the real debate. Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7.