Insulation is, by its nature, environmentally friendly because it aims to reduce the amount of energy necessary to heat or cool your home. However, some insulation products are more harmful to the environment than others.
If you’re looking to insulate your home but want to be environmentally conscious, you should consider cellulose insulation in Little Rock, AR. Cellulose insulation has numerous benefits, many of which directly reduce the environmental impact insulation has on the earth.
What is cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation is one of the “greenest,” or most environmentally friendly, insulation products available when it comes to insulating your home. The insulation is made from recycled newsprint and other paper materials that might otherwise fill up landfills and poison the earth with its dyes and inks and release greenhouse gases during decomposition. Insulation is measured in terms of R-value, or the level of resistance to heat flow. Cellulose insulation has a similar R-value to fiberglass insulation, typically between R-3 and R-4.
Our cellulose insulation in Little Rock, AR is made up of around 80 percent post-consumer paper products and a mixture of chemical additives. Although it is made from paper materials, cellulose insulation is not as flammable as some may think. The insulation includes fire retardants that allow it to meet local, state and federal fire safety standards.
Benefits of cellulose insulation in Little Rock, AR
There are numerous benefits cellulose insulation offers, both from an environmental standpoint and a homeowner’s standpoint. The first benefit is that it’s made from recycled paper products.
Cellulose insulation is produced regionally, which reduces the shipping costs and emissions used to transport the insulation from the manufacturer to the supplier. It also uses the lowest embodied energy, or amount of energy it takes to manufacture the product, of all leading insulation products on the market today.
Additionally, unlike some other types of insulation, cellulose leaves behind virtually no waste because any excess material can easily be recovered and reused by insulation professionals during the installation process.
Cellulose also offers greater protection against air leakage, which can be common with other types of insulation. Cellulose blocks airflow better than fiberglass insulation, one of the most popular types of insulation today.
Cellulose insulation application
Cellulose can be applied to most areas of the home and comes in two different types. The first is dry fiber that is blown through a hose into open attics and enclosed wall cavities. Blown cellulose is popular for existing structures because you do not have to remove the existing wall finishes.
The second is damp fiber that can be sprayed into open wall cavities. Damp sprayed cellulose is popular during new building construction because the sticky material is able to be sprayed between the studs of unfinished walls to create a solid, airtight wall cavity. Because water is necessary and adding moisture to walls is a potential recipe for mold and mildew, this job is best left done by professional insulation installers.
If you want insulation that is better for the environment, consider installing cellulose insulation in Little Rock, AR. Harris Insulation has been your local insulation experts for almost 40 years, providing quality insulation services to residential and commercial clients. Call us today!