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From a health and safety perspective we recommend to use cellulos as much as possible. Once you read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) you will understand. Almost all building materials have some kind of health hazards, but by comparison cellulose is the most benign product. |
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Per inch closed cell foam will be the best insulator to install in your home.
Closed cell foam = R-6.5 per inch
Open cell foam = R-3.7 per inch
Cellulose dense packed = R-3.2 per inch
Cellulose loose filled in attics = R-3.7 per inch
Fiberglass batt installed = R-2.5 or less per inch
Cellulose is superior compared to fiberglass. Fiberglass R-value diminishes by default once installed.
For example: 6 inches of fiberglass is stamped with a big R-19 on the bag. Once installed you will be able to obtain only R-15 if installed professionally with no gaps and any other imperfections. You will only get an R-4 value if you can see 5% gaps over the insulated area, which is a 3/4" gap a long the batt. (source BPI.org) |
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Based on its insulation value "closed cell" spray foam is the best available insulator. Unfortunately it is also the most expensive insulator, made from oil. The so called "Green foam" is made of about 2% soybean oil and 98% regular oil. The walls cavities need to be open in order to apply it.
Spray foam is installed as "open cell" or "closed cell" foam. We do not recommend to use "open cell" foam, it is also called low density Urethane foam. It is much cheaper then "closed cell" foam, but you pay the price later.
Then main reasons are as follows:
- Open cell foam is like a sponge. Open cell foam is not a vapor barrier The cell walls are open and allow moist air to travel through it. Once the moist air reaches the other side of the wall it will condensate and release water. That water is trapped between foam and wood or drywall sheeting. Mold and rot are the long therm consequences. Open cell foam releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over a long period.
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Why do we prefer cellulose?
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Cellulose is the best product to retrofit an existing home. From a cost/energy saving point of view and possible health/environmental issues.
It is a safe product to install for the contractor and the home owner. Spillage of the product creates only cellulose dust (paper fibers). It can easily be vacuumed or if left exposed in the garden where it turns into compost.
Because cellulose is blown in to these walls with air, it finds any little crack and closes those.
Properly installed it will last up to 40 years in place-something the other insulation materials can not claim. Insulation value, health and fire issues are the primary reason to use cellulose. From an environmental point of view cellulose is the best candidate. It is made of 82% recycled paper. The cellulose insulation value is superior to fiberglass delivering a true R-3.2 value per inch. A dense packed wall 6" thick will deliver a true R-19 value.
NY Times Article about Cellulose Click here ....
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Cellulose insulation is made from paper, which is refined into
cellulose fiber. National Fiber makes Cel-Pak using over-issue newsprint
(daily newspapers that went unpurchased) and paper drive
paper, the two best sources of recycled paper available. Unlike
other manufacturers, National Fiber staff hand sorts the paper to remove
glossy inserts, string, plastic, etc., making Cel-Pak the cleanest
cellulose insulation you can buy. BK Solutions LLC went to see the production plant, see pictures in the Photo Album section. |
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When you put Cel-Pak cellulose insulation to work in your walls, you dramatically enhance the safety of your home. Cel-Pak is infused with borates, a naturally occurring mineral with amazing properties. First and foremost, it makes Cel-Pak fire resistant. Simply put, in the event of a fire, cellulose actually works to limit its spread. But fire isn’t the only threat to your home. What about mold, insects, and rodents? Once again, cellulose beats all the other choices. The borates in cellulose, and the fact that it is ‘dense packed’ in your walls, result in a very inhospitable environment for mold, ants, termites, mice, etc.
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Reducing Sound Transmission?
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Sound travels easily through gaps and voids in insulation. Fiberglass is full of them. Cellulose isn't. The much higher installed density of cellulose not only prevents the movement of air and heat through your home, it does a much better job stopping the transmission of sound.
Cellulose is best used in walls and floors to reduce sound transmission like TV or radio noise. It does not perform as well reducing stepping noise of people walking on the floor, because the wood joints are transmitting noise from one surface to the next. |
Why not just insulating?
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Bypassing steps like a comprehensive home
energy assessment, air sealing, carbon monoxide levels, or testing
for gas is not a good idea. Yes, you initially save some money, but
the results can be disastrous, or you never see a difference on you
energy bill. Why? The lack of 10 hours analyzing your home will have
have an impact how the crew on site will eventually air seal and
insulate your house. Often they will spend less then 10 minutes
to decide how to approach your home. It may work, but I would not bet
on it. Existing Carbon monoxide or gas conditions could become a deadly.
Medium concentration of gas can quickly become critical because you
newly energy efficient home has become more air tight.
Remember carbon monoxide is odorless.
Residential CO-detectors have often very high threshold before they
go off. Did you replace the batteries lately? CO detectors should be replaced
every 3-4 years, because they collect dust or the sensor has reached
the end of its life cycle. |
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