Insulating With Damp-Spray Cellulose
It's cheaper than spray foam, air-seals better than fiberglass, and has more recycled content than both of them.
Synopsis: Damp-spray cellulose might not be the first option you consider for insulation, but given its qualities — it’s cheaper than spray foam and air-seals better than fiberglass, with R-values comparable to both—you might want to keep it in mind. In this article, Leroy Anderson, the director of construction services for a New York City nonprofit group, explains why he likes damp-spray cellulose, then tells how he installs it in the projects he works on. Anderson says that installing damp-spray cellulose is a relatively low-tech process. One crucial factor is maintaining the proper ratio of moisture to dry cellulose; 25% moisture to 75% cellulose is ideal. A three-member crew is best: An installer mixes the moisture and cellulose, then blows it into wall cavities with it; a second worker uses a tool called a scrubber to level the slightly overfilled cavities; and a third worker vacuums the excess insulation for…
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