Cellulose Insulation – R-Value, Benefits & Installation Process
March 17, 2020
Retrofitting your home with attic insulation in North York offers a chance to examine the best type of insulation for your home. The best product available is cellulose attic insulation for your home. An insulation project is conducted for the attic and the walls, and that means loose-fill, blown-in insulation. Cellulose insulation contractors will serve the interest when the installation process begins, it takes a certain level of expertise to get the process correct, and that is why you hire an expert.
There are other products to use, but they don’t offer the same level of insulation as cellulose. Fibreglass batts or loose-fill fibreglass will provide excellent R-values in the attic, but cellulose is the best for insulating your walls from a cost-effective and practical standpoint. Looking for a contractor should lead you to insulation companies near me as a way to narrow the field. Your search should end at Integrity Roofers. We are a company that will install your insulation with precision and attention to detail to provide the best conclusion for your home upgrade.
Cellulose Insulation, A Primer
What is Cellulose Insulation?
Simply put, it is the oldest form of insulation on the market. It is a versatile material that works in many instances like attic floors, interior walls for existing and new homes.
What is Cellulose Insulation Made Of?
Cellulose finds its genesis in recycled material. Specifically, recycled newspaper or ground up denim are the components used to create the insulation. Up to 85 percent of the insulation comes from recycled materials. Once formed, the insulation is treated with boric acid, borax, or ammonia sulfate. The chemical treatment reduces the risk of fire – they are flame-retardant – and the chemical treatment is an effective weapon to keep vermin at bay.
Process of Installing Cellulose Insulation
There are two methods for installing cellulose insulation – blown-in, loose-fill, or dense pack. A variation of the blown-in method is a spray-on application after moisture is added to the insulation. For the dry blow process, a machine directs the insulation to the area in need. In an existing home, siding is removed, and holes are drilled into the studs. A hose is inserted in the holes to fill the cavities. Once the areas are filled, the holes are plugged, and the siding returned to its place. A wet installation has a jet attached to the hose, and the insulation is installed. The dampness helps the insulation adhere to the cavity, creating a bond for insulation and the walls.
Benefits of Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose has the highest concentration of recycled materials on the market. Greenhouse gases are a thing of the past in the installation process, as cellulose requires no harmful propellants. Any nooks and crannies fill when using cellulose – just what you are looking when you are insulating a wall or attic. Cellulose insulation is inexpensive to make and affordable to buy. Chemical treatments repel invasive species of bug or small animal infestations in your walls or attic. Also, the chemicals used to treat the insulation are flame retardant and reduce fire hazards. The R-value of cellulose is where it earns its reputation as a great product. It provides an R-value of 3.5 per inch of thickness.
Is Blown Cellulose Insulation a Fire Hazard?
While we have extolled the virtues of cellulose insulation, some people ask if it is a fire hazard. The argument is that in its natural state, cellulose – made of ground paper – and the fill is flammable. But, the chemical treatment – borates – that are Class I fire repellants. Class I refers to combustibles like wood or paper.
We Can Help You with Installing Cellulose Insulation
As a leading light in our industry, we at Integrity Roofers are the only insulation company to choose when you need expertise and experience to complete your attic or home insulation project. In North York, and across the GTA, our professional services are well respected, and we invite you to contact us for professional estimate and consultation.
To make arrangements to talk to an insulation expert, call our office today at Integrity Roofers at 647.953.9365.