Open Cell Foam Insulation Vs Cellulose

Sound insulation open cell spray foam offers great sound insulation between walls.

Open cell foam insulation vs cellulose.

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 often used in roofing projects or other outdoor applications but can be used anywhere in the home. Unless you are doing a complete home renovation and already taking apart the walls upgrading wall insulation with fiberglass batts isn t practical. It is a very good air barrier as well as a water vapor barrier.

The r value for open cell spray foam insulation is roughly equal to the r values for cellulose and fiberglass. Open cell polyurethane foam r 3 5 inch will provide r 28 but more efficient than cellulose allows moisture to flow minimizing moisture issues moderately expensive. Actually foam insulation doesn t have an appreciable higher r value than cellulose insulation. It has a smaller more compact cell structure.

Department of energy recommends hiring a professional installer. Closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation is a much more dense type of foam than open cell. The r value for closed cell spray foam insulation is significantly higher. Spray foam has an stc of 39 for open cell and 37 for closed cell.

Cellulose insulation is composed of 75 85 recycled paper fiber with the remainder being made up of fire retardant matter. While the attic floor is a prime destination for fiberglass batts the inside of existing walls is not. Both of these insulation products carry a 3 6 to 3 7 r value per inch. R value is a indicator of an insulation product s ability to block heat energy transfer.

Foam does save money and does lower your energy bill he says but if the goal is to reduce the impact of climate change it s not helping at all related. It s also not a good idea to try to install it yourself. As compared to spray foam insulation cellulose is cheaper and hence more economical for use in homes. Closed cell vs cellulose in cape style home attic trying to maximze the comfort in my cape stlye.

Cellulose has the ability to absorb moisture and although it can dry out it still leaves possibility for mold formation. Walls would need to be opened up completely to install batts. Close cell polyurethane foam r 6 5 inch will provide up to r 52 does not allow moisture to flow potential moisture issues expensive. It s not only a petroleum based product he explains but it also requires the use of blowing agents.

It reduces vibrations within a wall or ceiling to absorb sound and reduce echo feedback. However if your attic doesn t have any hvac equipment or air ducts you should install cellulose installation.