Home & Garden...

While cellulose is not the only green choice when it comes to home insulation, various sources note that cellulose insulation is making waves as the new darling of the green insulators.

What is cellulose insulation?:

Cellulose building thermal insulation is a great product made from recycled materials. Recycled content includes up to 80% recycled newspaper and beyond that contains other wood fibers (i.e. paper). It’s held together with chemicals but these chemicals are formaldehyde-free.

Other benefits: Coming from such a stock of recycled material is great, but cellulose insulation provides other perks as well. According to The Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association (CIMA) these benefits include…

• It’s more affordable than wool insulation plus uses up to 90% less energy to manufacture than wool.
• Since it’s made from paper it’s a product that can be used and then recycled. This insulation is not going to sit in a landfill for 100 years.
• No toxic VOCs.
• It won’t irritate lungs or skin – a big issue among traditional insulation.
• “New homes insulated with cellulose use an average of 5500 pounds of material that is diverted from landfills.”
• Provides very effective sound isolation.
• “Maintains R-value consistently through wide temperature range.”

Read research on cellulose benefits.

Problems with cellulose insulation:

Mold is commonly thought to be an issue by consumers. CIMA says no it’s not.

The California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation did some tests with cellulose insulation and found that cellulose samples failed the standard fire safety test only six months after installation. Keep in mind that this study was reported by NAIMA, a trade association of North American who manufacturers of fiber glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products. So… are they right? Well, CIMA says the fiber and wool insulation industries are grasping at straws. Cellulose insulation is actually treated with fire retardants. Read the entire CIMA fire safety report (pdf). But, again, they have reason to say it’s fire safe.

This report: Fire Testing Shows Cellulose Helps Make Homes Safer is from a company that sells cellulose as well.

Honestly, after looking and looking, I’m having trouble finding many non-biased reports. What I’ve found are cellulose companies saying it’s fire safe, and fiberglass and wool companies saying your house will go up in flames if you use it.

Here are some two debates going on around the web – read them and decide what you think:

Cellulose vs. Fiberglass

Deciding The Best Insulation For Homes

I’m going to look some more and report back. Some major green organizations recommend cellulose insulation. And it is a green choice. Hopefully, I’ll be able to kick up some study not completed by the housing industry regarding the fire safety slant. Until then you can read more about cellulose insulation at CIMA.