Do-it-Yourself Cellulose Insulation

In spite of how easy and safe fiberglass insulation is to use in your home, some people still prefer a more natural product; even if it may cost a little more. It just so happens that there is a natural alternative to fiberglass insulation, though it is somewhat more costly.

Cellulose insulation has many benefits that can make it a preferable option over fiberglass. However, it is not only more costly, but also creates more mess, and has a greater learning curve. Simply put, cellulose insulation is just more hassle than fiberglass. For some people, the added cost and effort are well worth the end result; a home that is more natural, more energy efficient, and safer.

A house with cellulose insulation is more fire safe; studies have shown that fiberglass will burn fast (perhaps due to the paper backing) while cellulose can sometimes not burn at all. Cellulose insulation is primarily paper particles mixed with fire retardants; the proper mixture is very resistant to fire. The ability of cellulose insulation to fill around every object in a wall allows for better energy cost savings; heat won't be able travel freely.

There are two major drawbacks to using cellulose insulation. One; it is attractive to termites, though some proper pest control measures can likely alleviate the issue. Two; town and city regulations may make cellulose insulation not very do-it-yourself friendly since you will be handling airborne particles. While you might be able to get permissions to do the work yourself, the political process might be stressful; simply hiring a contractor and letting him handle the stress might be better.

Assuming you were successful in getting permission to install your own cellulose insulation, the next major hurdle is at hand; the tools to do the job.

Because you will be blowing the insulation into place rather than simply cutting and trimming batts or rolls, you will be in need of power tools and machines. If you happen to know some nearby locations that happen to rent out these machines, you can save yourself a significant dollar amount and you can return the items rather than having to find a place to store them yourself. Otherwise, you can find what need online.

At this point, you may be thinking; why would I want to go through all this trouble? It's all about the long term energy savings. Cellulose insulation is far more efficient and safer than other forms of insulation. If you can afford the investment, it will pay off in spades. If you can do it yourself, your return will arrive faster.

If you've decided that you still want to go through with the project, there is an informative video from Bob Villa that shows what you're in for.

Stay safe, have fun, and good luck.