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What is cellulose insulation made of? Is it safe?
May 19, 2022 at 4:00 AM
A contractor removing a wall covering.

Insulation is an important part of maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, particularly during colder seasons that can reduce your indoor temperature. While a home heating system is helpful for keeping the inside of your home warm, it can be expensive to use this as your only means of staying comfortable; good insulation allows any room it’s present in to retain heat for a longer period of time.

Of course, your room insulation is only as good as the material used for it. There are many options available when it comes to insulation material; some may be better fits for particular rooms, home types, and environments than others, so it’s up to you to do your research ahead of time to determine the right material for the area you want to insulate. One particular type of material that may suit your home is cellulose, but the question is: is it safe?

In short, yes, it’s a very safe option, but whether it’s what you’re looking for may be another matter. Cellulose is a fairly environmentally-friendly option as far as insulation materials are concerned, as it primarily consists of recycled content. You can take a few different approaches to installing it, and it’s a good fit for both newly-constructed buildings and pre-existing ones.

Wondering if cellulose is right for your insulation needs? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what cellulose insulation material is, where it’s best used, and some of the pros and cons to consider before having it installed.

What is cellulose insulation material?

As mentioned previously, cellulose insulation material primarily consists of recycled components. As much as 85% of cellulose material’s content is recycled; generally, recycled paper products are used to produce cellulose insulation material. These products are made into smaller pieces and fiberized, allowing the material to be installed into building cavities in walls and ceilings.

The manner in which the material is placed into these cavities depends on whether the structure is new or pre-existing. In new constructions, the spaces in walls and ceilings are packed tightly with cellulose insulation before they’re covered; in pre-existing buildings, it’s blown into these spaces through small holes drilled into an area where siding is temporarily removed. Cellulose can be installed either damp or dry.

Pros and cons of cellulose insulation

Cellulose is popular as a means of insulating homes, and there are good reasons for it. Obviously, given that it consists of as much recycled content as it does, it’s very eco-friendly compared to other insulation materials.

Additionally, though, it’s actually a very fire-retardant material despite being largely made up of paper products as a result of the chemicals it’s treated with; it’s also affordable compared to other materials and resistant to potential problems like mold build-up, pest infestations, and more. There’s also more than one type of cellulose material, offering some options if one type doesn’t seem to suit the space you plan to use it in.

There are, however, some cons to consider with this material. Compared to other options, cellulose is more prone to sagging and settling, and it absorbs moisture fairly easily, which may reduce the air quality of your home despite its resistance to issues like mold. This also means that cellulose requires a vapor barrier when it’s installed in a structure, adding to the costs of installation.

Construction

Insulate your home with cellulose material from St. Louis Insulation

While there are certain elements of cellulose insulation installation that you should keep in mind before making the decision to install it, the benefits of this material outweigh the cons for many people. Cellulose is a safe material that offers a relatively clean, cost-effective way to keep any structure insulated, and if you’re ready to install it, St. Louis Insulation is ready to help. Book an appointment with us now to learn more and get started.