Testimonial
"We have a VERY unique house that was built in 1834 using balloon construction. They took the time to make sure they understood our home and kept us updated during the entire weatherization process."

Mr. Halley, Topeka, Kansas

What is Cellulose & Why is it the smart choice?
Efficient, non-toxic, affordable thermal solution.

Cellulose is a naturally superior material for insulation. The long, inter-locking fibers of recycled newsprint resist settling and creates an exceptional thermal barrier. Cellulose insulation has a long and rich history in the construction industry, going back to the 1930's.

Despite its established, time-proven status, cellulose has improved in quality and sophistication over time, and it now provides exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mold, and vermin. No other insulation can claim these benefits and also provide the superior thermal and sound insulation that comes naturally to cellulose.

Spray Applied Cellulose (Wet-Spray)
Spray applied cellulose is used for applying cellulose to new wall construction. The only difference is the addition of water to the cellulose while spraying. In some cases the insulation might also mix in a very small percentage of adhesive or activate a dry adhesive present in the cellulose. Wet-spray allows application without the need for a temporary retainer. In addition, wet-spray allows for an even better seal of the insulated cavity against air infiltration and eliminates settling problems. Wet-spray installation requires that the wall be allowed to dry for a minimum of 24 hours (or until maximum of 25% moisture is reached) before being covered.

Stabilized Cellulose
Stabilized cellulose is used most often in attic/roof insulation. It is applied with a very small amount of water to activate an adhesive of some kind. This reduces settling and decreases the amount of cellulose needed. This can prove advantageous at reducing the overall weight of the product on the ceiling drywall helping prevent possible sag. This application is ideal for sloped roofs and has been approved for 5:12 (41.66%) slopes.

Low-Dust Cellulose
The last major type of cellulose insulation on the market is low dust variety. Nuisance levels of dust are created during application of most types of dry insulation causing the need for simple dust masks to be worn during installation. This kind of cellulose has a small percentage of oil or similar dust dampener added. This may also be appropriate to homes where people are sensitive to newsprint or paper dust (though new dust will not be created after installation).

Thermal Performance
The thermal performance of loose filled cellulose compares favorably to other types of insulation. The thermal conductivity of loose-fill cellulose is approximately 40 mW/(K*m) (an R-value of 3.8 per inch) which is about the same as or slightly better than glass wool or rock wool. This doesn’t represent the whole picture of thermal performance. Other important aspects are how well the building envelope is sealed from air infiltration, convective airflows, and thermal bridging.

Cellulose is very good at fitting around items in walls like pipes and wiring leaving few air pockets that can reduce the overall efficiency of the wall. It also seals walls from air infiltration while providing the density to limit convection. The University of Colorado School of Architecture and Planning did a study that compared two seemingly identical test structures, one with cellulose and the other with fiberglass. The cellulose structure had used 26.4% less energy to heat. It also was shown to tighten the structure more than 30%. Subsequent real world surveys have cellulose performing 20-30% better at reducing energy used for heating than fiberglass.

Long-Term Cost Savings
Cellulose's insulation qualities "can save homeowners 20 to 50 percent on their utility bills".

Sound Reduction
Noise reduction is achieved in three ways with cellulose. The first is that cellulose completely fills cavities leaving few air pockets for sound to travel in. The second is the cellulose materials ability to trap air. The significant difference between noise reduction with cellulose and fiberglass is its density. Cellulose is approximately three times denser then fiberglass. This helps deaden the sound through walls and between floor levels.

Several installation options allow walls to have a Sound Transmission Class (STC) of 50 or greater. As a comparison, walls with fiberglass batts have an STC of 36-39, depending on stud and screw spacing.

Mold and Pest Control
The borates in cellulose insulation provide superior control against mold, insects, and pests such as rodents. Installations have shown that even several months of water-saturation and improper installation did not result in mold.

Fire Retardation
The borate treatment also gives cellulose the highest (Class I) fire safety rating. Many cellulose companies use a belnd of ammonium sulfate and borate. Although ammonium sulfate is normally odorless, unexplained emission of ammonia and a resulting ammonia smell has been found in some cases.

Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier may not be needed with cellulose insulation. For example, recent studies have shown that air movement is the primary method by which excessive moisture can accumulate in mild marine climate such as Kansas. An insulation that fills the wall cavity completely (such as cellulose or foam) can help prevent moisture problems. Recommendations against using vapor barriers with cellulose insulation are supported by studies, even though they classify cellulose as vapor permeable.

In addition, cellulose acts to distribute moisture throughout the cavity, preventing the buildup of moisture in one area and helping to dry the moisture more quickly. Cellulose manufacturers do not recommend the installation of a vapor barrier with cellulose.