Cellulose Insulation Facts
Cellulose insulation is very easy to
manufacture and the raw material, recycled
newspapers, is very inexpensive. There
are two ways to install it. It can either be
blown-in dry or wet. The wet application
requires water and an adhesive. The cellulose
can also be blown before
drywall or plaster is
attached to walls. In
these instances, a tough
plastic fabric is stretched
tightly across the wall
framing members. The
cellulose is then blown
onto the top of the
membrane. The installers make sure that the
density is consistent. Cellulose, especially
when blown dry, can and does settle. Manufacturers recommend that you install
cellulose until it reaches its ‘settled’ R-value.
Cellulose is fire resistant. It is not fireproof!
If a fire occurs, the dense structure of
cellulose insulation and its fire retardants
slow its spread through the building by
blocking flames and hot gases and restricting
the availability of oxygen in insulated walls.
Scientists at the National
Research Council of
Canada report that
cellulose insulation “in
the wall cavity provided
an increase in the fire
resistance performance of
22% - 55%.”
Cellulose insulation
is made from recycled wood fiber, primarily
newspaper. One hundred pounds of cellulose
insulation contains 80-85 pounds of recycled
newsprint.
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- 100 lbs. of cellulose
insulation contains 80-85 lbs
of recycled newsprint.
- Cellulose insulation makes
homes safer by slowing the spread
of fire.
- Cellulose insulation makes
efficient use of natural resources.
- At R 3.6 to 3.8 per inch,
cellulose insulation is
considerably better than
most mineral
fiber blowing wool
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