Cellulose Insulation: Choose This Green Option Carefully

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper that has been treated with either sodium borate, boric acid, or ammonium sulfate. These chemicals are required to make the cellulose insulation fire resistant and also to repel rodents, mold and insects.

Cellulose insulation can still be flammable and we don't have long-term results from studies regarding the chemical mixes that are applied. Cellulose insulation is also more expensive and can sag after it is installed but the spray-on insulation is easy and it is definitely a better choice than fiberglass.

The R-Value of cellulose insulation is high at around 3.7.

For more information about cellulose insulation check out CIMA - Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association but be aware that CIMA is not an independent website.

Charles & Hudson | Comments () |

Willem Maas

Consensus among green contractors, from what I've seen in our Q&A, is in favor of cellulose as long as there's no moisture in the wall. As Todd points out, it's cheaper than foam and doesn't have fiberglass's IAQ issues. Regarding settling, installers avoid that problem with a "dense pack" process.

One tip: ask your contractor is whether they use an IR (infrared) camera to check their work.

Willem
GreenHomeGuide.com

Todd Fratzel

We've had good luck with dense packed spray applied cellulose. Cellulose has been used for years in the loose state with some good success. Frankly it's so much better than fiberglass and so much cheaper than spray foam that we see it as one of the best solutions on the market currently.

Cellulose Insulation: Choose This Green Option Carefully

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