Blown-in Cellulose Fiber
Click this movie (LEFT) to watch an infomercial from the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturer's Association (CIMA). It covers the basics of the product and how it compares to fiberglass.
You'll see the installers in the video spraying it into new construction walls so that it sticks. This is "wet blown" cellulose, which introduces quite a bit of water into the wall assembly. We prefer to use the "net & spray" approach in new construction, which eliminates the majority of the moisture. This is similar to dense-packing existing walls.
Both loose fill and dense pack cellulose insulation are made from recycled wood-based materials and have a fire retardant additive. Loose fill is blown in to add insulation depth to areas such as attics, where the existing insulation is not sufficient. Made from recycled newsprint and other recycled paper, and treated with nontoxic fire retardants, cellulose insulation has been a tried and true method of insulating homes for decades. Its excellent sound insulating properties, its ability to provide an effective 1-hour fire rating, high R-value per inch, and industry leading environmental properties, makes cellulose a perfect choice for insulating attics and sidewalls.
Green Facts
- Cellulose takes less energy to make than any other insulation material. This is known as embodied energy and includes the total energy required to transport raw materials, manufacture and distribute the product. Fiberglass has up to 10 times more embodied energy than cellulose.
- Cellulose has the highest level of recycled content in the insulation industry - up to 85%. Cellulose insulation is made with recycled paper, paper that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Fiberglass has a maximum of 40% recycled content.
- Cellulose is regionally produced.
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