Attic Insulation Cellulose Vs Spray Foam

Earlier this year i got a question about a home that had spray foam insulation in the attic.

Attic insulation cellulose vs spray foam. It s generally 3 to 4 times what you ll pay for blown cellulose or fiberglass. Although they both have their advantages you have to be wise to choose the one that fits your house s needs. Cellulose insulation is the oldest material used in home. If you don t have hvac and ducts in the attic spray foam on the roofline isn t really necessary.

Spray foam insulation definitely takes the pie but its cost can be a deterring factor. Foam does not provide for complete insulation needs and does not address heat loss gain via convention through framing members. I d blow insulation on the attic floor after air sealing of course. Cellulose for attic insulation if the hvac equipment and air ducts are in your attic it is better to install spray foam insulation specifically with open cell spray foam to protect the equipment and ducts.

It is the most expensive option with costs running as high as two or three times as much as fiberglass batts or cellulose loose fill. Best way to insulate an attic. Properly mixing and applying spray foam insulation requires substantial expertise and can only be done by trained professionals. Spray foam insulation cellulose.

As part of our ongoing mission to educate our customers we are here to discuss the best insulation for attics and the pros and cons that go along with each insulation type. Keep in mind that cellulose has a lower r value than spray foam though it is still a highly effective method of insulating your home. Cellulose attic insulation pros and cons. The big disadvantage with spray foam is cost.

On the other hand cellulose insulation is more reasonably priced but then it might not last longer than the former. Nothing unusual about that. That s why whenever cellulose is blown into a sealed framing bay stud rafter joist etc it should be dense packed. However if your attic doesn t have any hvac equipment or air ducts you should install cellulose installation.

Spray foam insulation drawbacks. When icynene spray foam is applied it begins as a liquid but quickly expands into a foam which adheres to the surface which it is applied. Dense packed cellulose will not settle. A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits but then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents.

The boric acid in the insulation can provide a form of pest control. Closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation is a much more dense type of foam than open cell. It is a very good air barrier as well as a water vapor barrier. Spray foam insulation and cellulose insulation.

Spray foam insulation spray foam insulation like icynene is also sprayed in but because the material is different from cellulose insulation the result is also different. You ll spend less than you would with spray foam insulation.