Fiberglass vs Cellulose Attic Insulation: Pros and Cons

Cellulose attic insulation might be a better choice when choosing between cellulose and fiberglass. There are many pros and cons to both cellulose and fiberglass insulation. Insulation is a great way to save energy and money, but poor insulation can cost you hundreds of dollars if not done properly. Putting insulation in your attic can save you money and it will pay for itself usually within 1 year. Insulation is a very wise investment and knowing what will work best for you and your budget is a great start to adding or investing in attic insulation. Here are some of the pros and cons of cellulose and fiberglass insulation:

Pros of Cellulose

• Cellulose is cheaper than fiberglass and is better than fiberglass in many ways
• It has been proven in house fires that cellulose burns slower than fiberglass
• Cellulose is made from recycled materials
• Cellulose insulates better than fiberglass

Cons of Cellulose

• Skilled installer required
• Usually quite messy to install
• Often installed damp, which increases chance of fungal growth if not dried well

Pros of Fiberglass

• Installed dry
• Usually it is a simple install
• If installed properly, there are no harmful chemicals

Cons of Fiberglass

• Very uncomfortable and itchy if you get it on your skin
• Can cause skin irritation
• Fiberglass settles, so over years you will not get as many inches as you paid for

Cellulose seems to be the better choice simply because it is cheaper, made from recycled materials, and it insulates better. Cellulose insulation is cheaper but in most cases will require professional installation. The best thing to do in deciding what insulation to go with is to determine all your options before you decide. You will need to look at cost, your budget and what you are using the insulation for. Decide what insulation will best fit your budget and what insulation will save you the most money in the long run.

Cellulose and fiberglass insulation have pros and cons to both. Cellulose is made from recycled newspaper which seems very flammable, however it is not. The insulation is usually treated with sodium borate which will cause the insulation to not be flammable. In both insulations there will be some settling over the years which can affect the R-value. The higher the R-value the better your insulation will work. After years of settling and different climates the insulation will settle and change the R-value. Cellulose which is blown in will settle some but fiberglass can settle as much as inches. When this happens your R-value will lower making the insulation less effective.

When comparing these two insulations it looks as though cellulose insulation is the better choice. Cellulose has more pros and less cons and seems as though most people recommend it over fiberglass. Your options, budget and what you need it for will be key factor in deciding what insulation is best for you. Attic insulation is a great investment and will pay for itself in no time at all.