What are the differences (pros and cons) between fiber glass and cellulose insulation?
There are three important differences between fiber glass and cellulose. • Fire Resistance – Fiber glass is made mostly of inorganic materials and therefore is naturally non-combustible and has a low flame spread rating. It will maintain its fire resistance over its lifetime. On the other hand, cellulose is made up of newspaper, which is organic and naturally flammable. Therefore, approximately 20% of the finished cellulose product is comprised of fire retardant chemicals (80% newspaper / 20% fire retardant chemicals). These fire retardant chemicals may not be applied consistently and may deteriorate over time. Smoldering and re-kindling of fires have been reported with this product. • Moisture Absorption – fiber glass is installed dry and does not absorb or retain moisture. Cellulose is often installed damp and needs to fully dry after installation. Even after drying, cellulose can absorb moisture, which can lower the R-value of the product and may promote fungal growth. • Settling –
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