The two main least expensive and most commonly used residential insulation materials is cellulose and fibreglass.
Cellulose versus fiberglass attic insulation.
When using cellulose blown in dry insulation it requires a machine to achieve its purpose and a training session from wherever you rent the blower from.
If paired with a vapor barrier in a high moisture environment like your basement it can be problematic.
Cellulose insulation blown in attic r 3 6 r3 7.
Fiberglass batts however are less expensive costing on average 0 30 to 0 40 a square foot for 6 inches of insulation.
So it seems to me the real debate.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these.
When comparing blown in insulation both fiberglass and cellulose are nearly identical in price both costing around 0 70 to 0 80 per square foot for 6 inches of insulation.
Or 7 inches of cellulose.
Cellulose insulation blown in wall r 3 8 r3 9.
You can get to the same place with either material.
Assuming your current attic insulation is made from fiberglass and has a value of r 13 you d have to add roughly 10 inches of additional fiberglass to hit r 38.
Lastly when blown onto the floor of an attic with vented soffits both loose fill cellulose and fiberglass are susceptible to wind.
Both fiberglass and cellulose insulation can be installed to completely fill the space inside of wall floor or ceiling cavity.
Properly installed they will both remain in place for the life of the home.