Why is Cellulose Insulation Better Than Foam?

[@jimharvey7522]

These guys talked a little about smoke and environmental benefits, but not at all about relative R values, what happens when cellulose insulation gets wet (they admit it soaks up water "like a paper towel"), other relevant concerns. It sounds like they're selling cellulose's few advantages and ignoring many possible downsides.

[@andrewbeaudry4399]

Jim Harvey Fiberglass also holds water. It I have flooded area where insulation gets wet. Open area to dry, or replace insulation in area of flood, wet entryway will mold if it gets wet, so change that to

[@DolphinInsulation]

The idea behind hygroscopic and hydrophobic properties is that in houses insulated with foam, there is no where for the moisture to go so they pool and become drops. Now water rots wood?So how can that be good.?Cellulose is non toxic, 0 Flame spread and is a mold & mildewcide with the borates. Plus it manages humidity. it absorbs humidity and moisture and on the off season dries out. We have moisture meters in houses under the cellulose and a typical moisture reading in the worst months of the year are 7.We also remove a lot of foam from houses that are rotting from it. Replace the wood and re insulate with cellulose and a vapor smart membrane.

[@jamesking8303]

People are already getting sick from these "FOAM THIGHT" houses in Houston TX. I personally wouldn't ever live in a foam sick box. The foam industry still can't provide good fire resistant mixtures in some cases.

[@jrdoza1980]

Could invent an additive to improve foam fire blocking propertys. This is the new standard its in my house and everyone is buying in foam is awesome

[@DolphinInsulation]

I would never install Foam in any house. The amount of class action suits around the country are 10 fold. It is a petroleum product 100 %. Why in the world would you fill your home up with petroleum

[@jrdoza1980]

Not as air tight. Foam is better ac unit does not run as much saves money. Foam has fire stop propertys and better R value

[@DolphinInsulation]

Have you watched the You Tube video from the Fire Marshall: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4azoWB_pdlghs16oam is the most dangerous of all insulation when it comes to Fire spread. The toxic smoke kills you before you can get out of your home or business.

[@csopiarz12]

The only things you guys are talking about are least worried about when deciding a insulation. You don't even mention the R-value differences, also the 2 products are used for different applications usually. It sounds more like you are losing jobs from people that invested in new technology foam rigs and you are trying to find a way to argue that cellulose is better, instead of investing in the new way of doing things. Instead you just sound very foolish. Yes you need a fire block with "some" foam, not all though. But good thing there is usually drywall in the way. Also who cares if it smokes, if it is smoking you have a bigger problem then the smoke.

[@DolphinInsulation]

There is more to insulation than R value. R value determines the speed in which warm air or cool air travels through an insulation product or just plain wood. What about the word "Mass" ? have you ever thought about Mass. So in cold climates we put on big bulky coats to keep us warm. That's Mass. How many inches of Mass do you need for the cold to travel thru. R value has nothing to do with how thick you put insulation into your home or business. Hence the new stretch codes in Massachusetts. More is better. Foam does have a higher R value. Foam also acts like a bathroom after a one hour hot, hot shower. The walls are dripping wet. the moisture turns into water drops and what happens to it then? It starts to rot wood. Cellulose absorbs it and dries it out just like a paper towel does. Over time of course. This is where education comes in. Its not so black & White.

[@ericsiddons2713]

Carcinogens in the foam insulation.

[@RP-zq4do]

So foam is hydrophobic, which means "to repel water", but cellulose sucks it up like a paper towel. So the water in a foam wall would only be able to penetrate the wood around it and the cellulose wall would be totally penetrated by water including the insulation. And cellulose is better how? Give it up guys and break down and buy yourselves a foam rig. Really poor argument you have there. And in doing a burn test, why didn't you put some foam in your hand and perform the same test? Because you know that argument would fall just as flat. Bet you guys are still using manual typewriters in your office too.

[@littlejaden]

Sounds like this guys need to spray foam!

[@DolphinInsulation]

The difference between us and all the other points of view is that we go to school constantly. We don't listen to manufacturers.

[@fartman2269]

Perhaps a you need a higher IQ to grasp the concept of hygroscopic, keep spraying toxic icynene into homes people sleep live, breathe and sleep in.