Insulation upgrades can bring many benefits to your Naperville home, like lower heating and cooling costs or more comfort. But with the various insulation options available today it can be difficult to know which type is best for your home’s specific needs. In truth, there are several factors to consider when choosing an insulation type and material, such as your local climate, where the insulation is being installed, your budget, and more.
Luckily, ARC Insulation can help guide you through the entire process of determining what type of insulation to use. As one of the best full service insulation contractors in Chicagoland we offer several types of home insulation, including spray foam and cellulose insulation. While both types of insulation have their own advantages, we’re going to focus on the pros and cons of cellulose insulation.
What is Cellulose Insulation?
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper that’s been treated with borate in order to make it fire and mold resistant. Cellulose is both versatile and easy to install in just about any part of your home, with the ability to conform to ducts and other obstructions. Since it’s made up of up to 85% recycled materials, it is also one of the most environmentally friendly insulation options available.
The most common form of cellulose, known as loose-fill, is blown-in through a small hole in your wall, making for a quick and easy installation. The insulation materials then settle naturally, creating a barrier between the living spaces of your home and the outdoors. Loose-fill cellulose is a great option for attic insulation, while the other type of cellulose, dense-packed, is better suited for confined spaces like behind your walls.
4 Benefits of Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation doesn’t come with many disadvantages, the two main ones being that it requires professional equipment to ensure proper installation and that it settles over time, decreasing its R-value. However, it still has a lifespan of 20-30 years! Cellulose insulation also provides many benefits, including:
Reduce Energy Bills and Higher Performance
Since cellulose can fit into the nooks and crannies of your home, it leaves little room for unwanted heat transfer. This means that it is effective at keeping consistent temperatures throughout your home and can help to reduce your year round energy costs.
Cost-Effective
Cellulose insulation is quick to install and made up of recycled materials—meaning it’s generally cheaper compared to other types of insulation. There are also available rebates and incentives for insulation updates.
Fire, Pest, & Mold Resistant
Boric acid is used to treat cellulose insulation to make it resistant to fire, pests, and mold growth. While it may sound scary, boric acid is safe for humans—yet highly toxic to insects and other pests.
Noise Reduction
Cellulose is much denser than traditional fiberglass insulation, making it much more effective at reducing the amount of noise that passes through your walls and attic.
Find the Best Insulation Services For Your Home With ARC
We’ve insulated more than 30,000 homes in our 30 years of operation at ARC Insulation, and whether you’re looking for a cost-effective way to lower your utility bills or you want to increase your home comfort, our qualified team can help find the best solution for your home.
Before starting any insulation project, we always recommend getting started with an energy assessment to first understand how your home is currently performing. Using specialized tools like an infrared camera, we can pinpoint exactly where your home can benefit the most from insulation upgrades. Are you ready to get started with a more comfortable and energy-efficient home? Contact our team!
