Learn If Loose Fill Insulation Is Right For Your Home

Whether you are building a new home or improving your existing property, there are numerous ways to insulate your house.

Blanket insulation, foam insulation, rigid insulation and loose fill insulation are all popular methods. Finding out about each type of insulation is important in making an informed decision about the best insulation option for your home. For the purposes of this blog, we will be focusing on loose fill insulation.

How Can Insulation Help Me?

Insulation works to inhibit the transfer of heat. In the winter, it prevents cold air from the outdoors penetrating the interior of your home, keeping it warmer inside. During the summer, insulation helps trap cool, conditioned air inside the home while resisting heat from the outdoors.

Tell Me More About Loose Fill Insulation.

This is one of the most common types of insulation, and it also happens to be the most versatile.

Loose fill insulation typically consists of cellulose, rockwool and/or fiberglass and is installed with pneumatic tools. Some less common loose-fill insulation materials include polystyrene beads and vermiculite and perlite.

Typically made from recycled newsprint, and post-industrial content, loose fill is a pliable and widely used insulation option. It is suitable for existing wall or new wall cavities, unfinished attic floors and other hard-to-reach places. The malleable nature of loose fill also makes it perfect for irregularly shaped areas and to fit around obstructions.

Cellulose Vs Fibreglass: Which Type Of Loose Fill Insulation Is Best For Your Home?

• Its performance is unmatched; the thermal resistance (R-value) is much higher compared to that of loose fiberglass filled insulation.
• Cellulose is made from reclaimed/recycled materials which are environmentally friendly.
• Borates are an effective insecticide and pest deterrent for your home.
• Cellulose poses less of an inhalation hazard in comparison to fiberglass.
• Unlike other cellulose insulation, borate stabilized cellulose does not have VOC content and does not off-gas like Ammonium Sulfate stabilized cellulose or Formaldehyde containing fiberglass.
• The main drawback to using borate Cellulose is that it is more expensive than its fiberglass alternative.

• It is subject convective air movement and this results in a tremendous degradation of the cumulative R-Value. Studies have shown as much as a 50% reduction in R-Value of loose fill fiberglass during wintertime conditions.
• Fiberglass is not an effective insecticide or pest preventative.
• Fiberglass is a skin and lung irritant.

At Windows on Washington, we often hear stories from homeowners that have their attics overblown with fiberglass and they notice little to no change in temperature variation and overall comfort. It seems that the popularity of fiberglass is not due to its superior performance, but rather its cost alone.

At Windows on Washington, our view is that properly applied cellulose insulation, partnered with targeted air sealing, can significantly increase the comfort of your home while dramatically reducing utility bills.