What Are The Benefits Of Blown-In Cellulose? | Koala Insulation

What Are The Benefits Of Blown-In Cellulose?

The temperatures in Michigan call for proper insulation all year round. Once the cold draft settles near Great Lake Huron, temperatures in Mid-Michigan will drop to freezing tempertatures during the winter months. 

Blown-in cellulose is a premium insulation method, ideal for residents of Midland, Freeland, Flint, Saginaw, Mt Pleasant, Frankenmuth, Birth Run, Swartz Creek, Brandon Twp, Grand Blanc, Fenton, Clio, Lapeer, Essexville or Bay City, etc. Besides being one of the most environmentally friendly building products, this form of insulation is great at maintaining your home's temperature and is very cost effective. 

Blown-in insulation is a superior form of insulation, but most people are either unaware or apprehensive about implementing it. This blog will help bust every myth about blown-in insulation and give you a better perspective about it.  

Find out what blown-in cellulose insulation is and how it can benefit you, especially if you live in Michigan.

What is Blown-In Cellulose?

Cellulose has been in use for insulating homes for decades. Cellulose is a plant fibre and has many mechanical benefits. However, about 85% of the cellulose used for blown-in insulation is ground-up recycled paper. 

Blown-in cellulose insulation, in essence, fills in the attic space or the spaces between the walls with cellulose. This process fills up every nook and cranny to ensure complete insulation for your homes. It's its best feature - those tiny particles that make up the fibre can fit into even the smallest of cavities.

The fibre itself is chemically treated with:

• Boric acid
• Borax
• Ammonium sulphate

These chemicals serve an essential purpose in blown-in insulation processes. They make the cellulose fire retardant and deter pests from burrowing and making nests in your attic, a very common problem with fiberglass insulation. 

Why Blown-In Cellulose is the Best Insulation Option

The use of blown-in cellulose gained momentum around the 1950s. People living in cold states like Michigan needed effective and economical means of insulating their homes to make sure they were habitable. 

A few benefits of blown-in cellulose insulation include:

1. It's Great for the Environment 

Blown-in cellulose is made out of organic materials extracted from either wood or recycled paper, making it environment-friendly. This material has absolutely no adverse effect on a person's health. On the contrary, other forms of insulation, including fibreglass, negatively influence your family's health. 

1. It Acts as a Fire Retardant

Blown-in cellulose is one of the safest forms of insulation because of the chemical treatment it receives. However, cellulose has a Class 1 Fire Rating in the United States, having a lower flame spread. 

1. Perfect for Regions with High Moisture Content

In Michigan, cities like Flint have a daily high average humidity of 82% early in the mornings. Blown-in cellulose is the perfect solution for such cities because it prevents moisture accumulation in the walls. This type of insulation can prevent mold and mildew in homes where moisture retention is generally a concern. 

Comparing Blown-In Insulation with Batt and Spray Foam Insulation

Batt insulation

Blown-in insulation is the safest and the most affordable choice for people living in Michigan. Batt insulation is not as effective as Blown-in cellulose insulation because large pieces of the insulating material are cut and then filled into crevices of the wall. 

These large pieces generally leave open spaces that allow the cold draft to pass through them. However, blown-in cellulose insulation fills up every small corner of the spaces between your walls to provide complete insulation. 

Spray Foam Insulation

When it comes to spray foam insulation and blown-in cellulose insulation, most people side with the former. That is because spray foam insulation has been around for decades and has proven its worth to many. 

Spray foam is composed of a substance known as polyurethane and isocyanates. It is filled into the wall spaces as a foam, and then it hardens inside to fill each nook creating an airtight vapor barrier. 

On the other hand, blown-in cellulose can provide a similar R-value by covering the entire space within the wall or attic deck and at a much lower cost. 

Wrapping Up

Blown-in cellulose insulation is steadily rising and becoming the most widely used form of insulation in people's homes. It is affordable, safe, and even upholds its R-value in the long run. 

This type of insulation is precisely what you should be investing in if you live in Michigan. You will save a ton of money and keep your house warm during the cold winter months! Need more help in understanding the concept or wish to opt for home insulation services? Feel free to reach out to Koala Insulation of Mid-Michigan and all your needs will be taken care of by experts in the industry!