Are all brands of cellulose pretty much the same in terms of raw material content? Are they all treated with borates? I was reading the packaging recently at a big box and it didn’t mention anything about being treated.
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Greetings Red,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
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Does the packaging state that the insulation meets, say, some ASTM standard? If so, you can look up the standard and see what it says about treating. (If there's no statement as to standards or testing, OTOH, I'd be a little reluctant to use the stuff, not that I looked at the packages they blew into our attic a couple of years ago.)
I would not assume any similarity at all.
"Cellulose" is a type of material, not any speciffic material at all. While it usually refers to paper-based insulation, that material could be from nearly any sort of plant material, either new or recycled. Cotton seeds and corn cobs have both been used as 'cellulose-based' insulation ... you can see how they differ from each other greatly.
Likewise, "borates" are a family of salts. They are usually added to provide some fire resistance. What kind, how much, and how applied have a tremendous influence in how well they perform.
Other compounds may be added to resist mildew and mold.
What it comes down to is: Look for the UL lable. That's at least a minor assurance that there is some manner of quality control.
The UL label only assures that it won't catch fire or electrocute you. You'd want to see a standard reference from ASTM or some industry organization to be reasonably confident that it's properly bug-proofed and attains the stated insulating effectiveness.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
True enough .... but I'd have to add that if the company has it's act together to survive the regular UL testing of samples drawn by the UL rep, and tested at UL's facilities, and otherwise has it's documentation in order ... they probably got the rest of it right as well.
This would be by contrast to some non-listed no-name product, where even the guys on the shop floor have no idea what's in the bag.
Certainly some truth to that.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz