Do you need to insulate your home? Chances are, you’ve heard of fiberglass and cellulose, two insulation materials found in many homes. Which one should you use? Many homeowners aren’t quite sure how these two types of insulation are different.
Fiberglass insulation and cellulose insulation have some similarities. Both have good soundproofing qualities and can be installed—using blown-in installation—in walls, attics, basements and crawl spaces. But they do have a number of differences:
- Cellulose consists of organic material, mainly newspaper, while fiberglass is made of mostly synthetic material.
- The pink insulation you have probably seen in your home or someone else’s is generally fiberglass; cellulose tends to be darker in color.
- Cellulose is made up of up to 85 percent recycled material and is considered one of the most environmentally friendly insulation materials available; the recycled content of fiberglass is lower.
- The R-values for cellulose and fiberglass are different, which you can read more about here.
Learn more about cellulose and fiberglass.
Cellulose Insulation
Consisting of up to 80 – 85 percent recycled content and requiring less energy to make than other insulation materials, cellulose can be considered extremely environmentally friendly. It can be installed in any area of a home—walls, attics and crawl spaces included.
Fiberglass Insulation
Used to insulate homes for decades, fiberglass is available as loose-fill or batts. It is made of tiny glass fibers and is often installed in attics but can be used to insulate walls and crawl spaces as well.
Insulation Installation in Northwestern Oregon
Whether you need to install cellulose or fiberglass—or both—in your home, Installed Building Products Portland can help. We have been insulating homes throughout northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington for years and look forward to helping you increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your home.
Contact us today to learn more about our insulation services!
