Blown In Cellulose
Insulation
For years I have recommended blown in cellulose insulation to clients who were looking for ways to keep their energy costs in check. Cellulose insulation offered advantages over fiberglass insulation. I liked the fact that cellulose could be installed in older homes that had no insulation in its walls. It's also proven to be a fine application in new construction. Depending on the application, there are three common methods of installing cellulose. In older homes, a technique called dense packing is used. Holes are drilled in the walls either from the outside or inside and the insulation is blown in until it is tightly packed in the wall cavity. The approach used for new construction is referred to as wet spray. Water is added to the cellulose and blown into the open wall cavities.
Click here for video of blown in cellulose installation
The third technique is loose-fill, used for insulating attics. This is simply blowing dry cellulose into the attic area and filling the joist cavities. Cellulose has an R-value of R-3.6 per inch. I always liked the fact that blown in cellulose helps seal the house against air infiltration. Tests have proven that cellulose is
more effective than fiberglass.
Because cellulose can absorb moisture, a vapor barrier should be considered. If enough moisture is allowed into the product the R-value can decrease. Cellulose insulation also contains a fire retardant (boron). It is considered to be a green product. It’s made from recycled newspapers. 100 pounds of cellulose contains 80-85 lbs. of newsprint and the manufacturing process uses little energy to produce the product. Be sure to choose the right installer. Pick one who practices “building science”, also called the “whole house approach”. They’ll have the tools to test your home for air leakage and safety issues. Blown in cellulose has proven to be an effective solution for energy efficiency and comfort. I have many clients who will agree.
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